🍅 Mediterranean Tomato Chicken

A juicy, flavorful chicken dish cooked in a rich tomato and vegetable sauce. It’s simple, comforting, and perfect for a family dinner.

Ingredients

For the chicken:

• 1½ lb (700 g) boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder

For the tomato sauce:

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 4–5 medium ripe tomatoes, chopped
• 1 tablespoon tomato paste
• 1 yellow bell pepper, chopped
• ½ teaspoon paprika
• ½ teaspoon dried oregano
• ½ teaspoon dried basil
• Salt and black pepper, to taste
• ½ cup (120 ml) chicken broth or water
• 1 teaspoon sugar, optional, to balance the acidity
• Fresh parsley or basil, for garnish

Instructions

1. Prepare the chicken:
   Cut the chicken into large pieces. Pat dry with paper towels and season with salt, black pepper, paprika, Italian seasoning, and garlic powder.
2. Brown the chicken:
   Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook for about 3–4 minutes per side, until lightly browned. Remove the chicken and set aside.
3. Cook the vegetables:
   In the same skillet, add another tablespoon of olive oil if needed. Add the diced onion and bell pepper. Cook for 4–5 minutes until softened.
4. Add the garlic and tomato paste:
   Stir in the minced garlic and tomato paste. Cook for about 1 minute, stirring constantly.
5. Make the tomato sauce:
   Add the chopped tomatoes, oregano, basil, paprika, chicken broth, salt, and black pepper. Add the sugar if the tomatoes are particularly acidic. Stir well.
6. Return the chicken:
   Place the browned chicken back into the tomato sauce. Cover and simmer over medium-low heat for 15–20 minutes, or until the chicken is completely cooked through and the sauce has thickened.
7. Finish and serve:
   Taste and adjust the seasoning. Sprinkle with fresh parsley or basil and serve hot.

🍽️ Serving Suggestions

Serve this tomato chicken with:

• Steamed rice
• Mashed potatoes
• Pasta
• Crusty bread
• Couscous
• A fresh green salad

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Servings: 4
Cuisine: Mediterranean-inspired
Difficulty: Easy