Enjoy a delicious garlic chicken meal with fresh ingredients, including basil and olives, all enveloped in a rich easy homemade tomato sauce.
Last week was my son Peter’s birthday. If you’ve been reading my blog for a while, you know that he takes all these gorgeous food photos. Happy birthday, Peter!
If you’re curious about the behind-the-scenes of food photography, I highly recommend reading his article, How We Make Overhead Cooking Videos.
To celebrate his birthday, the whole family went to a Classic Albums Live performance of The Beatles’ Abbey Road. Any Beatles fans out there? It was a fun night, the musicians were impressive, and I definitely recommend checking out one of these shows if one ever comes to your town. I love that my kids enjoy listening to the same music I grew up with.
We actually went to the show a few days before Peter’s actual birthday which meant that I was able to make an extra-special birthday dinner. A new recipe that we had never had before! Garlic chicken with fresh basil and olives covered in homemade tomato sauce.
This chicken and basil recipe features a sauce made from Roma tomatoes, similar to my Quick Mediterranean Chicken with Cauliflower Rice, but I serve it over spaghetti squash instead.
For a speedy twist, this Tomato Basil Quick Pan Sauce is another flavorful adaptation of the sauce. It’s perfect for a quick weeknight meal.
I also love incorporating chicken in Chicken Stuffed Bell Peppers or delicious One Pan Chicken Pizza for meals that add an unexpected spin to your usual chicken dishes.
So this garlic chicken recipe is now part of my go-to gluten free chicken dishes that you won’t want to miss.
It’s a very easy dish to put together. There’s only a little prep required, and then the squash bakes in the oven while the tomatoes simmer. In a little more than an hour, you’ll be serving up one yummy gluten-free, paleo, and low carb meal.
And if you’d like more low carb options, I’ve got loads of recipes and tips to make sure you’re feeling good and staying on the right path.
Now let’s take a look at the ingredients you’ll need to bring this garlic chicken with basil and tomatoes recipe to life.
Ingredients
Thin Sliced Chicken Breast: Once tenderized, this chicken will cook fast.
Salt and Pepper: to season the chicken.
Extra-Virgin Olive Oil: to cook the chicken.
Tomatoes: Roma tomatoes are ideal for the sauce in this recipe. A variety of plum tomatoes, they are dense, oval-shaped, and meaty. Choose tomatoes with vibrant skin and give them a gentle squeeze to check for plumpness.
Fresh Cloves of Garlic: to infuse the dish with a strong, aromatic flavor.
Butter: Adds richness and helps create a silky texture in the sauce.
Basil: Adds a fragrant, herbal note that complements all the other ingredients.
Olives: Kalamata olives bring a briny flavor that enhances the overall taste.
Spaghetti Squash: A unique squash that, when cooked, separates into long, slightly sweet noodle-like strands that will soak up your tomato butter sauce beautifully. Zucchini noodles are another low carb noodle option.
Instructions
*Free printable recipe card with complete list of ingredients is available at the end of the post.
Have you ever had spaghetti squash before? It’s a wonderful, healthy pasta substitute. If you close your eyes, you’ll think you’re eating angel hair pasta. In my previous post this week, I have a video for you along with step-by-step pictures to show you How To Cut And Cook Spaghetti Squash: Your Ultimate Guide. The toughest part will be cutting it in half.
While the squash bakes in the oven, prepare the chicken. I recommend pounding each chicken breast with a meet tenderizer because this cut can have a tendency to be a little tough. However, a few whacks with the mallet softens the fibers of the chicken, and your chicken will turn out nice and tender.
Then brown your chicken in oil. Transfer it to a plate, cover it and set aside while you start your sauce.
Add diced tomatoes to the oil in the pan where you cooked the chicken. Bring to a boil and turn down to simmer for half an hour. The tomatoes will break down as they simmer. As you stir the sauce, you can crush the tomatoes with a fork.
Next, add your butter and five cloves of diced garlic. Yes, that’s why it’s called garlic chicken. 🙂 Add the chicken back into the pan to heat through.
It’s done when it hits an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C) when measured with a meat thermometer. Or, you’ll know it’s ready when you slice it open and it’s no longer pink in the middle.
Top with your fresh basil and plump olives, which will infuse the meal with their aromatic, earthy essence and a delightful burst of flavor.
Just look at that sweet tomato sauce. These pictures are making me hungry all over again. Really, this dish is as good as it looks. No, actually, that’s not quite true. It’s even better.
Finally, your squash should be done and cool enough to handle. Scrape the spaghetti like strands from your squash and divide onto individual plates. Then top each pile of spaghetti squash with a chicken breast and your flavorful tomato sauce.
Serving suggestions
Serve with a side salad and a green vegetable like Sautéed Broccoli With Garlic.
Pro tips and recipe notes
What can I substitute for olives? If you’re not a fan of olives, you can omit them or use capers for a briny flavor as I do in my quick Low Carb Chicken Piccata and easy Gluten Free Chicken Piccata recipes.
Can I use canned tomatoes for the sauce? Fresh Roma tomatoes work best, but canned diced tomatoes or even crushed tomatoes might work in a pinch.
How do I store leftovers? Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. You can reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop until warmed through.
Garlic chicken with basil and tomatoes is an excellent choice for birthday celebrations or whenever you want a special, scrumptious meal. Paired with spaghetti squash, it brings the lovely taste of fall to your table. Enjoy!
Love chicken? Try these recipes
Easy marinated chicken breasts – When you want something healthy with tons of flavor for dinner but don’t have time to fuss, this nutritious paleo and gluten free meal comes together in a flash: easy marinated chicken breasts.
Grainless crispy chicken nuggets– Chicken nuggets are coated in a spicy batter before frying. Absolutely delicious and go from stovetop to your table in 30 minutes flat.
Bacon wrapped barbecue chicken – This is quick and easy and can be made on your grill or in your oven. You’re going to love these fun little bites.
Gluten Free Chicken Wings (Keto, Low Carb, And Paleo) -Whether you bake them in your oven or barbecue them outside on the grill, chicken wings are a year-round favorite. Get all my cooking tips for perfect wings in this recipe.
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Garlic Chicken With Basil And Tomatoes Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 pound thin sliced chicken breast
- salt to taste
- pepper to taste
- ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 6 roma plum tomatoes diced
- 5 cloves garlic minced
- one handful fresh basil chopped
- olives
- ¼ cup butter
- 1 spaghetti squash
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F.
- Cut you squash in half, remove seeds and strings with a spoon and brush the insides generously with olive oil. Bake face down in a baking dish for 45 minutes - 1 hour.1 spaghetti squash
- Meanwhile, cover and pound chicken breasts with a meat tenderizer. Then sprinkle with salt and pepper.1 pound thin sliced chicken breast, salt, pepper
- Heat oil in a large skillet. Add the chicken and brown about 3 minutes on each side. Turn off the flame. Remove chicken to a plate, cover and set aside.¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
- Then add the diced tomatoes to the oil in the skillet, bring to a boil and simmer about 30 minutes. The tomatoes will break down as they simmer. Stir occasionally, crushing the tomatoes with a fork.6 roma plum tomatoes
- Add garlic and butter and stir.5 cloves garlic, ¼ cup butter
- Add the chicken back in stir and heat through. Finally, stir in the basil and olives.one handful fresh basil, olives
- By now your squash should be done and cool enough to handle. Scrape the spaghetti like strands from your squash and divide onto individual plates. Top with chicken and sauce.
- Serve and enjoy!.
Notes
Nutrition
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- What to Do With Too Much Zucchini (17 Easy Recipes to Use It Up) - March 11, 2026
Alice Gerard says
Mmm, that looks good. There is definitely no such thing as too much garlic!
Jim Bauer says
Too much garlic? You are absolutely right. There is no such thing. Never enough might be the better assessment. lol
Barbara says
Hey guys, My sentiments exactly. ❤ garlic.
Jim Bauer says
I am DEFINITELY saving this one. I don’t have any “health issues” to worry about. But nonetheless this dish looks absolutely delicious and I think I need to add it to my repertoire. My sister makes a mean spaghetti with spaghetti squash, and even makes a fantastic tater tot with cauliflower. These kinds of dishes may be made for certain people in mind, but I think would do well for anyone who just simply likes good food.
Barbara says
Right Jim, Healthy real food is the best for everyone. It sounds like your sister is a quite a cook.
K. Lee Banks says
That looks SO good! I’ve still never tried “veggie” spaghetti, but it might be worth it. Thanks for sharing.