4 Italian Chicken-in-Tomato-Sauce Dinners to Make on Repeat

Italian chicken cooked slowly in tomato sauce is one of those dinners that feels rustic and comforting but still weeknight-friendly. These four recipes show how tomatoes, herbs, and simple cuts of chicken can turn into flavorful sauces that are easy to pull together and satisfying to serve.

The Chicken Cacciatore is a rustic Tuscan second course where chicken pieces simmer slowly in a rich tomato and vegetable stew. The peeled tomatoes, soffritto vegetables, and herbs create a hearty, savory sauce that clings to every bite of tender meat. It’s a comforting dish that suits family dinners, especially when you want something traditional and generous on the table.

Pro tip: in summer you can use fresh tomatoes, while the rest of the year peeled tomatoes or tomato puree give you a thicker, more full-bodied sauce.

The Chicken Pizzaiola turns the classic pizzaiola preparation into a creamy, tomato-bathed chicken breast dish. Tomato purée, peeled tomatoes, herbs, and capers wrap the meat in a bright, savory sauce, while melted mozzarella makes it extra comforting. It comes together quickly on the stovetop, making it a natural fit for weeknights when you still want something crowd-pleasing.

Pro tip: drain the mozzarella well before using it so it doesn’t release water during cooking and, if the chicken slices are thick, gently pound them thinner.

The Chicken breast with bell peppers is a colorful, summery second course built around a creamy sauce of bell peppers and datterini-style peeled baby plum tomatoes. The chicken breast cooks in that sweet-savory mix, giving you tender pieces nestled in a tomato-pepper pan sauce. It feels light yet satisfying, especially when you want something seasonal that still leans comforting.

Pro tip: if you prefer, you can skip flouring and browning the chicken and simply dice it and cook it directly in the pepper and cherry tomato sauce.

The Chicken alla Norma reimagines the iconic pasta alla Norma sauce as a tomato-rich base for chicken breast. Peeled tomatoes, eggplant, basil, and salted ricotta cheese come together into a hearty, Southern Italian–style sauce that coats every piece of meat. It’s a flavorful choice when you’re craving something a bit more elaborate than everyday chicken, without giving up the comfort of a pan of tomato-simmered goodness.

Pro tip: stick with canned peeled tomatoes for convenience or, for a change of pace, you can swap in fresh cherry tomatoes instead.