On busy weeknights, we all crave a dinner that’s fast, flavorful, and comforting—but doesn’t come loaded with dairy or processed ingredients. This Creamy Tomato Basil Chicken Skillet checks every box. It’s packed with real food, brimming with bright tomato flavor, and finished with a silky coconut milk sauce that’s hard to believe is completely dairy-free. Made in just one pan and ready in under 30 minutes, it’s the kind of recipe you’ll turn to again and again.
This skillet is a Whole30-friendly option that doesn’t skimp on taste or satisfaction. Whether you’re meal prepping or making something nourishing after a long day, this creamy chicken dish brings the comfort of Italian-inspired cooking to your kitchen—without the heaviness.
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Creamy Tomato Basil Chicken Skillet (Dairy-Free & Delicious)
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
Description
This Creamy Tomato Basil Chicken Skillet is a fast, dairy-free dinner packed with fresh tomatoes, coconut milk, garlic, and basil. Perfectly seared chicken simmers in a velvety sauce with wilted spinach and cherry tomatoes. A one-pan wonder ready in under 30 minutes!
Ingredients
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon dried basil
Salt, to taste
Black pepper, to taste
Creamy Tomato Basil Sauce
7 Roma tomatoes, roughly chopped
1/2 cup chicken stock
1/2 cup full-fat canned coconut milk, unsweetened
2 garlic cloves, minced
10 fresh basil leaves
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
To Finish
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
5 ounces fresh spinach
Fresh basil, chopped
1 to 1 1/2 tablespoons arrowroot flour
1 to 1 1/2 tablespoons cold water
Instructions
1. Slice each chicken breast horizontally to create thinner cutlets. This helps the chicken cook quickly and absorb more flavor.
2. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
3. Season the chicken on both sides with salt, pepper, and dried basil. Add the chicken to the hot skillet and cook for about 4–5 minutes per side, or until golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
4. Add the tomatoes, chicken stock, coconut milk, garlic, fresh basil leaves, salt, and pepper to a blender. Blend until completely smooth.
5. Pour the blended sauce into the same skillet. Add the spinach and cherry tomatoes, stirring until the spinach begins to wilt.
6. Return the chicken to the skillet. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and let everything simmer for about 5 minutes until the sauce is warmed and the tomatoes soften.
7. To thicken the sauce, mix the arrowroot flour and cold water in a small bowl until smooth. Turn off the heat and slowly stir the mixture into the sauce. Stir continuously until the sauce thickens. Add more slurry if a thicker consistency is desired.
8. Sprinkle chopped fresh basil over the chicken just before serving.
Notes
Use full-fat canned coconut milk for the best texture and richness.
For extra flavor, add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a squeeze of lemon juice at the end.
Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop with a splash of broth or water.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Quick & Easy Dinners
- Method: Skillet
- Cuisine: American
Why You’ll Love This Creamy Tomato Basil Chicken Skillet
There’s something incredibly satisfying about a dish that looks and tastes like it took hours, yet comes together in a flash. This creamy tomato basil chicken skillet is one of those rare recipes that’s both beautiful enough to serve to guests and simple enough to whip up after work.
With just a few basic ingredients, it transforms everyday chicken breasts into something extraordinary. The sauce alone—rich with blended tomatoes, basil, garlic, and coconut milk—is so delicious, you’ll want to spoon it over everything. And because this recipe is naturally gluten-free and dairy-free, it’s ideal for anyone with dietary sensitivities or just looking to eat a little cleaner.
One of the key secrets to its richness lies in how the sauce is built. Instead of using cream or cheese, full-fat coconut milk lends a subtle sweetness and velvety texture that plays beautifully against the acidity of the tomatoes. Arrowroot thickens it to a luscious consistency without flour, keeping the dish light and whole-food based.
Choosing Ingredients for the Best Creamy Tomato Basil Chicken Skillet
To get the most out of this dish, ingredient choice matters. Starting with the chicken, opt for boneless, skinless breasts that you can slice into thin cutlets. Not only do they cook faster, but they also soak up more flavor when seared.
When it comes to the tomatoes, Roma is the variety of choice here. Their meaty texture and lower water content make them perfect for blending into a robust sauce. While canned tomatoes are convenient, fresh tomatoes add brightness and a garden-fresh quality that makes the sauce really sing.
And then there’s the coconut milk. Choose a full-fat, unsweetened canned version for maximum creaminess. This is what gives the sauce its luxurious texture without needing butter or heavy cream. If you’re wondering whether the coconut flavor will overpower the dish—don’t worry. It blends subtly into the background, letting the basil and tomatoes take center stage.
Cooking the Chicken to Juicy Perfection
Getting the chicken just right is what takes this dish from good to exceptional. Slicing each breast in half lengthwise creates thinner cutlets, which are easier to manage in the skillet and cook more evenly. This simple step ensures that each bite of chicken is tender, not dry or rubbery.
The key is to get the skillet hot before adding the chicken. A sear on both sides locks in the juices and creates those gorgeous golden edges that deliver so much flavor. Keep the heat at medium-high and don’t overcrowd the pan—cook in batches if needed.
Once your chicken is perfectly browned and cooked through, remove it from the skillet. This gives the sauce its own moment to shine while the chicken rests, keeping it juicy and ready to soak up every bit of that creamy tomato basil flavor.
Building the Creamy Tomato Basil Sauce from Scratch
This sauce isn’t just good—it’s spoon-drink-the-leftovers good. It starts with blending fresh Roma tomatoes, coconut milk, basil leaves, garlic, chicken stock, and seasoning into a completely smooth mixture. The result is a creamy tomato base that’s bright, herbaceous, and deeply flavorful.
Pour it into the same skillet where the chicken cooked, making sure to scrape up all those browned bits on the bottom. That’s where the magic happens—the fond left behind from the chicken adds richness and depth to the sauce, giving it that slow-simmered taste in a fraction of the time.
To finish, mix a simple slurry of arrowroot flour and cold water, then stir it in once the sauce has simmered and the spinach has wilted. Arrowroot is a clean, gluten-free thickener that works beautifully without clouding the flavor. It gives the sauce a glossy finish and perfect cling.
Bringing It All Together in One Skillet
Now comes the part where everything gets married in the pan. Add the cooked chicken back into the skillet and tuck it into the creamy sauce. Scatter in the halved cherry tomatoes and fresh spinach, letting them warm through and soften just slightly. This gives the dish a pop of color and freshness right before serving.
As the sauce simmers gently, the flavors meld—the sweetness of the tomatoes, the earthiness of basil, and the creaminess of coconut milk creating a perfect harmony. It’s hard to believe something this flavorful and wholesome comes together so quickly.
Right before serving, sprinkle over a generous handful of chopped fresh basil. It adds a burst of aroma and color that makes the whole dish feel elevated, even though it came from one skillet and took less than half an hour.
What to Serve with Creamy Tomato Basil Chicken Skillet
While this creamy tomato basil chicken skillet is complete on its own, it pairs beautifully with a range of sides. For a low-carb meal, serve it over cauliflower rice or spiralized zucchini noodles. The sauce clings wonderfully to veggie-based options without overpowering them.
Want to make it a pasta night? You absolutely can. Try pairing this dish with gluten-free penne or even traditional spaghetti. It becomes a delicious tomato cream sauce pasta that’s just as good (if not better) than any takeout option.
Don’t forget the garnishes. A fresh salad with lemon vinaigrette or a plate of roasted green beans can round out the plate. For something cozy, a slice of crusty sourdough (if you’re not gluten-free) makes a perfect mop for all that extra sauce.
FAQs About Creamy Tomato Basil Chicken Skillet
What is a creamy tomato chicken skillet made of?
This dish combines chicken breasts with a blended sauce of fresh tomatoes, coconut milk, garlic, and basil, all simmered together in one pan. It’s thickened naturally with arrowroot flour and finished with cherry tomatoes and spinach for added flavor and texture.
Can I make a chicken tomato cream sauce pasta with this recipe?
Absolutely. While the recipe is delicious as-is, it also works beautifully as a pasta sauce. Simply slice the cooked chicken and serve it over your favorite gluten-free pasta, pouring the creamy tomato basil sauce on top.
Can I use heavy cream instead of coconut milk?
You can substitute heavy cream if you’re not dairy-free. However, coconut milk provides a lighter, subtly sweet balance that complements the tomatoes without making the sauce overly rich.
How do I store and reheat leftovers without drying the chicken?
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat gently over low heat on the stove, adding a splash of chicken stock or coconut milk to loosen the sauce and prevent the chicken from drying out.
Conclusion
This creamy tomato basil chicken skillet is proof that healthy dinners don’t have to be boring—or complicated. In just 25 minutes, you get a dish that’s packed with protein, bursting with flavor, and elegant enough for company.
It’s the kind of recipe that works for every season and every lifestyle. Whether you’re following Whole30, avoiding dairy, or just looking for a one-skillet meal that the whole family will devour, this one delivers on every front.
For more quick weeknight favorites, don’t miss this 20-minute creamy garlic sausage pasta or this flavorful pepper steak stir fry. When it comes to comfort food that nourishes, these are go-to staples you’ll want in regular rotation.
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