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Chicken Pomodoro

Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time25 minutes
Total Time40 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Italian

Ingredients

  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1/4 onion, diced
  • 5 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • 2 15 oz cans diced tomatoes
  • 1 1/2 tsp sugar
  • 3 tbsp pesto or 1/3 c. fresh basil leaves, torn or cut chiffonade style
  • 1/2 lb chicken breasts, cooked and cubed (optional)

Instructions

  • Heat olive oil in a large skillet. Add onion, garlic and crushed red pepper flakes. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Cook until onions are nearly translucent, about 3 minutes.
  • While the onion and garlic cooks, pour the tomatoes (with liquid) into a food processor or blender. Process until coarsely chopped to desired consistency. (Process less time for a thicker, heartier sauce or longer for a creamier sauce.)
  • Add the tomatoes and sugar to the skillet. Simmer for about 5 minutes, until very fragrant and somewhat thickened.
  • Stir in the pesto and simmer an additional 5-10 minutes. (If using fresh basil, let the sauce simmer for 10-15 minutes and then stir in the basil after removing from the heat.)
  • Stir the chicken into the sauce just until warmed through. Serve over pasta.

Notes

Personally, I love the pomodoro sauce as is (pictured above), without the addition of the chicken. But the chicken does make it a complete meal and my husband swears the only way to eat this is with the chicken. It’s really up to you.