Chicken tomato pasta- 30 minute recipe!

Chicken tomato pasta has to be the ultimate midweek dinner—comforting, delicious, and incredibly easy to pull together even on the busiest of evenings. It strikes that perfect balance between being rich in flavour yet surprisingly simple, relying on everyday ingredients you likely already have in your kitchen. Succulent pieces of chicken pair beautifully with a vibrant tomato sauce, creating a dish that feels both nourishing and satisfying without being overly complicated.

One of the standout benefits of this recipe is its speed. The preparation takes less than 30 minutes, making it ideal for nights when time is limited but you still want something home-cooked. Chopping the chicken, preparing the tomatoes, gathering the herbs, and boiling the pasta all come together smoothly without any stressful multitasking. Once everything is prepped, the cooking itself takes anywhere from 10 to 30 minutes, depending on your method and preferred textures. If you’re in a rush, you can cook the chicken quickly over higher heat and reduce the sauce rapidly; if you have a little extra time, letting the tomatoes simmer longer will deepen the flavour and create a richer, more velvety sauce.

Despite its simplicity, the dish delivers on both taste and nourishment. It’s packed with protein, making it a great option for keeping you full and energised throughout the evening. The tomatoes add natural sweetness and acidity, while the herbs and seasonings elevate the overall flavour profile without requiring any elaborate techniques. The final result is a hearty pasta meal that feels comforting and satisfying, yet remains light enough to avoid that heavy, sluggish post-dinner feeling.

From a nutritional standpoint, chicken tomato pasta also offers a well-rounded profile. Each serving provides 605 kcal, 50.1g protein, 12.4g carbohydrate (of which 6.1g sugars), 40.4g fat (of which 10.3g saturates), 4.2g fibre, and 1.18g salt. These numbers reflect a dish that is filling and balanced, with enough protein and fibre to support satiety and enough healthy fats to keep the flavours rich and satisfying.

This is the kind of recipe that easily earns a place in your regular weekly rotation. It’s quick, it’s versatile, and it’s guaranteed to please—whether you’re cooking for yourself, your family, or guests who need a comforting meal in a hurry. If you want, I can expand this into a full recipe with step-by-step instructions, suggested variations, and serving ideas.

Chicken tomato pasta- ingredient list!

4 teaspoons olive oil, plus more for serving
Two breasts of chicken
20g/¾oz of butter with salt
Using your palm, crush four cloves of garlic.
One sprig of fresh rosemary
One fresh sprig of thyme
Cherry tomatoes on the vine, 150g/5½oz
1 thinly sliced banana shallot 200g/7oz linguine
Half a cube of chicken stock
1 tablespoon fresh basil, finely chopped
A tiny pinch of freshly ground black pepper and grated Parmesan salt

Chicken tomato pasta- step by step instruction guide!

Step 1
Preheat the oven to 200C/180C Fan/Gas 6 so it has plenty of time to reach the correct temperature before you begin cooking. While the oven heats, place a large ovenproof frying pan over a medium–high heat on the hob. Allow the pan to warm for a minute or two until it is hot enough to sear ingredients effectively, ensuring they cook evenly and develop a rich, golden colour.

Step 2
Rub 1 teaspoon of oil over the chicken and season with salt and pepper. Heat the remaining oil in the pan and cook the chicken for 2 minutes until golden. Turn it over, add the butter, garlic, rosemary, thyme, tomatoes, and shallots, and cook until fragrant and slightly softened.

Step 3
Transfer the entire pan to the preheated oven and cook for 10–15 minutes, or until the chicken is completely cooked through, tender, and no longer pink in the centre. The tomatoes should be softened and juicy, and the shallots beautifully caramelised, creating a rich, aromatic base to serve with the chicken. Meanwhile, bring a large saucepan of generously salted water to a rolling boil. The salt helps season the pasta from within, improving its flavour right from the start. Once the water is boiling vigorously, add the pasta and give it a quick stir to prevent it from sticking together. Cook the pasta according to the packet instructions, usually around 8–12 minutes depending on the type, until it reaches an al dente texture—tender but still with a slight bite in the centre.

Step 4
When the pasta is ready, carefully drain it using a colander, making sure to reserve a cup of the starchy cooking waterbefore pouring it away. This water is incredibly useful for loosening the sauce later and helping it cling to the pasta. Set the drained pasta aside, keeping it warm while you finish preparing the rest of the dish. Once the chicken is fully cooked, carefully remove the pan from the oven, remembering to use oven gloves as the handle will be extremely hot. Transfer the chicken breasts from the pan to a clean plate or board. Set them aside to rest for a few minutes. Resting allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, ensuring the chicken stays tender, moist and flavourful when you slice or serve it. Avoid cutting into it too early, as this can cause the juices to run out, leaving the meat dry.

Step 5
Cover the hot pan handle with a cloth or oven glove and return it to medium heat. Remove and discard the rosemary, thyme, garlic skins, and tomato vines. Gently squash the tomatoes and garlic with the back of a fork, letting their juices combine with the pan for a simple, fragrant sauce.

Step 6
Add 1–2 ladles of the reserved pasta cooking water to the pan, followed by the chicken stock cube. Stir thoroughly until the stock dissolves and the sauce becomes smooth and slightly thickened. Taste and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper as needed. Once the sauce is bubbling gently, tip in the cooked pasta and toss everything together, making sure each piece of pasta is coated evenly. The starch in the cooking water will help the sauce cling to the pasta, creating a silky, well-balanced consistency.

Step 7
Stir half the basil and half the Parmesan through the pasta so it melts into a silky sauce. Divide the pasta between two plates and top with sliced chicken. Finish with the remaining Parmesan, basil, and a drizzle of olive oil. Serve immediately while hot and fragrant.