Creamy Chicken and Tomatoes - Succulent pieces of chicken thigh simmered in a creamy, flavourful tomato sauce, ideal for pairing with cooked pasta, rice or a variety of sides.
This dish is a wonderful option for the whole family, with its creamy sauce it is bound to delight the kids too. My children especially adore it when served with pasta, making it a go-to favourite. It's a comforting and satisfying meal that's sure to please everyone at the table!
Jump to:
Calories in Creamy Chicken with Tomatoes
This Creamy Chicken with Tomatoes serves 4 and is 308 calories per serving.
If you're looking for more recipes within the same calorie range, you'll find an abundance of options in my dedicated collection of 300+ calorie recipes.
If you're following a calorie-controlled diet or a healthy eating plan, it's important to calculate your daily calorie intake using a reliable calorie calculator. Please note that the calorie counts provided are estimates and can vary based on specific ingredients and serving sizes. Personalizing your calculations is essential to meet your individual needs. By using a calorie calculator, you can make informed choices and stay on track with your dietary goals.
Ingredients Needed
Here are some notes on the ingredients used in this recipe:
- Chicken Thighs: Succulent cuts of chicken thigh provide tender and juicy bites in the dish.
- Onion and garlic: These aromatic ingredients add depth and flavour to the sauce, enhancing the overall taste of the dish. Lazy or jarred minced garlic can be used if you prefer. 1 teaspoon is equal to one clove.
- Cream cheese: Light Cream cheese lends a rich and creamy texture to the sauce, creating a luscious and indulgent base.
- Fresh ripe tomatoes and tomato paste: The combination of fresh tomatoes and tomato paste forms the essence of the sauce, providing a vibrant colour and robust tomato flavour.
- Chicken stock: Chicken stock adds depth of flavour and helps to thin out the sauce, creating a balanced and savoury base. It's essential to use the correct ratio of stock cubes to water, as not all stock cubes are identical. Using too few can lead to a bland, watery broth, while too many may create a stock that's overly salty.
- Paprika: Sweet paprika contributes a mild sweetness and vibrant colour to the dish, enhancing its flavour profile.
- Salt and pepper: These basic yet essential flavour enhancers are key for elevating the taste of your dishes. No food will ever be bland when these are used to season to taste.
- Low-calorie olive oil spray: Used for cooking the chicken, this spray adds minimal calories while providing a light coating for sautéing. Use your preferred choice of low calorie spray, I prefer spray oils without any added emulsifiers.
- Fresh parsley: Fresh parsley adds a pop of colour and freshness to the dish, as well as a hint of herbaceous flavour for garnishing.
Once you've gathered all the ingredients and prepared them accordingly, you're all set to create this easy and delightful recipe.
See the recipe card for specific quantities and instructions.
How to Peel Fresh Tomatoes with Ease
Peeling fresh tomatoes can be a simple task, especially with the right method. A serrated peeler is a handy tool for effortlessly removing the skin from tomatoes without the need for blanching. Begin by washing the tomatoes thoroughly under running water to remove any dirt or impurities.
Then, with a gentle yet firm grip, use the serrated peeler to glide along the surface of the tomato, starting from the top and working your way down. The serrated edges of the peeler will catch and lift the skin away from the flesh, allowing you to peel it off easily in strips. Continue peeling until all the skin is removed, revealing the smooth and succulent flesh underneath.
This method is quick, efficient, and leaves you with perfectly peeled tomatoes ready to use in your sauce.
Why Fresh Tomatoes Are Preferred
Opting for fresh tomatoes over canned varieties offers numerous advantages. Fresh tomatoes impart a vibrant, garden-fresh flavour to your sauce, elevating its taste. They also provide a juicy, tender texture, enhancing the sauce's overall mouthfeel.
Using fresh tomatoes grants you better control over the sauce's acidity levels, ensuring a well-balanced flavour profile. Unlike canned tomatoes, which can sometimes be overly acidic, fresh tomatoes offer a milder, more nuanced taste that complements various ingredients.
Best Fresh Tomatoes for Sauces
When it comes to creating a delicious sauce, choosing the right type of fresh tomatoes is paramount. Varieties such as Roma, San Marzano, and Large Vine tomatoes are revered for their meaty texture and low moisture content, making them ideal candidates for sauces.
These tomatoes boast a rich, robust flavour that intensifies when cooked. Selecting the best fresh tomatoes ensures a sauce that's bursting with freshness and flavour, elevating your culinary endeavors to new heights.
Sides for Creamy Chicken and Tomatoes
Here are some options of sides to serve with Creamy Chicken and Tomatoes:
- My Preferred Choice is Pasta with Grated Cheese: Serve the creamy chicken and tomatoes over a bed of cooked pasta, such as spaghetti or penne, and top it off with a generous sprinkle of grated cheese. Parmesan cheese adds a nutty and salty flavor, while cheddar cheese provides a creamy and sharp taste, enhancing the richness of the dish.
- Rice: Fluffy white or brown rice makes an excellent side dish for creamy chicken and tomatoes. The mild flavour of rice complements the creamy sauce, allowing the flavors of the dish to shine.
- Red Pepper and Coriander Rice: If you want a more flavourful rice side dish, this recipe is a great addition to the Creamy Chicken and Tomatoes
- Assorted Vegetables: Add a vibrant touch to your meal with a medley of steamed or roasted vegetables. Broccoli, carrots, bell peppers, and courgette (zucchini) are excellent choices. The freshness and crunch of the vegetables balance out the creaminess of the sauce.
- Golden Roasted Garlic and Herb Potatoes: Elevate your meal with golden roasted potatoes seasoned with garlic and herbs. Simply toss baby potatoes with olive oil, minced garlic, rosemary, thyme, salt, and pepper, then roast them until crispy and golden brown. The crispy exterior and tender interior of the potatoes complement the creamy chicken and tomatoes, adding texture and flavor to the dish.
- Mixed Vibrant Side Salad: Prepare a refreshing side salad with a variety of fresh greens, such as lettuce, spinach, arugula, and kale. Add sliced cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, bell peppers, and red onions for color and crunch.
These sides offer a variety of flavors and textures to complement the creamy chicken and tomatoes, creating a well-rounded and satisfying meal for any occasion.
More Chicken Recipes
Looking for some more delicious low calorie Chicken Recipes? Check out some of these options:
- Chinese Lemon Chicken
- Chicken Parmesan
- Spicy Chicken Stuffed with Feta Cheese and Salsa
- Delicious Moroccan Chicken Casserole
- Chinese Chicken Curry
- Honey and Mustard Chicken Tray Bake
or if you would like more recipe ideas - head on over to the FULL RECIPE INDEX where you will find over 900 delicious recipes with calories and you can search by meal type, ingredients, course, diet and more.
All recipes on Slimming Eats have estimated nutritional information for your convenience.
FAQ for Creamy Chicken and Tomatoes
Chicken thighs are recommended for their higher fat content and richer flavour, which enhances the overall taste and texture of the dish. Chicken breast can be used as an alternative, but it may release more water during cooking, potentially diluting the sauce's flavour. Searing the chicken breast before adding it to the sauce can help mitigate this issue.
Yes, creamy chicken and tomatoes can be frozen. Make sure to properly cool the dish before transferring it to an airtight container or freezer bag. When reheating, thaw it overnight in the refrigerator and gently reheat it on the stovetop or in the microwave until heated through. A little stock may be needed to loosen the sauce.
While canned tomatoes can be substituted for fresh tomatoes, fresh tomatoes are preferred for their superior flavour and texture. Canned tomatoes may slightly alter the taste and consistency of the dish. If you do opt for canned tomatoes ensure you choose a good quality brand in a rich tomato sauce.
Let's Connect!!
Come and follow me on:
You can also Subscribe to Slimming Eats so that you never miss any new updates.
Need some support on your weight loss journey? Maybe you need advice or tips on a recipe, or just general meal ideas.
Come join the friendly and supportive Slimming Eats Community on Facebook.
If you try this recipe, let us know! Leave a comment, Rate It and Tag us in your Photos @SLIMMINGEATS on INSTAGRAM
Recipe Card
Creamy Chicken and Tomatoes
Creamy Chicken and Tomatoes - Succulent pieces of chicken thigh simmered in a creamy, flavourful tomato sauce, ideal for pairing with cooked pasta or a variety of sides.
Ingredients
- 6 uncooked boneless skinless chicken thigh (trimmed of visible fat) sliced thinly in strips - 600g (21oz)
- 2 tablespoon of paprika
- 1 large onion, halved and sliced
- 2 cloves of garlic, crushed
- 8 tablespoons of low fat cream cheese or coconut milk
- 4 medium ripe tomatoes, peeled and chopped
- 2 tablespoons of tomato paste
- 1 cup (240ml) of chicken stock
- salt and black pepper
- low calorie spray
- handful of fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Heat a frying pan over medium-high heat and spray it with low calorie spray oil
- Add the onion to the pan and sauté for a few minutes until softened.
- Add the chicken, paprika, and garlic to the pan and fry until the chicken is lightly golden.
- Stir in the fresh tomatoes and tomato paste, then reduce the heat and simmer until the tomatoes break down into a sauce.
- Pour in the stock, add the cream cheese and chopped fresh Italian parsley, and stir until the cream cheese melts.
- Simmer the sauce until it thickens and becomes creamy.
- Serve with your preferred choice of sides.
- Enjoy your delicious meal!
Notes
Please see below for full nutritional info and additional details about recipe:
- Calories - scroll down to nutritional info box
- WW Points and other Slimming or Weight Loss programs - due to plans regularly changing and updating, we recommend calculating with the official tools you get as a member to those plans to ensure accuracy of values.
- Gluten Free Friendly - use gluten free stock
- Freezer Friendly ❄️
If you wish to share this recipe, then please do so by using the share buttons provided at top of this post.
DO NOT COPY AND/OR PASTE FULL RECIPES OR SCREENSHOTS OF ANY CONTENT FROM SLIMMING EATS TO ANY SOCIAL MEDIA OR WEBSITE, IT IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED.
ALL IMAGES AND CONTENT ON SLIMMING EATS ARE COPYRIGHT PROTECTED
Nutritional information etc are an estimate and are to be used for informational purposes only. Ingredients can vary in values from brand to brand and therefore it would be impossible to give accurate information. It is always advised that you calculate values yourself by the ingredients you use and the tools provided to you as a member of the programme you are following.
It is the responsibility of the Reader to assure the products or ingredients they use in any recipes from Slimming Eats are allergen-free (gluten-free, egg-free, soy-free and/or dairy-free, for example). Slimming Eats assumes no liability for inaccuracies or misstatement about products, opinions or comments on this site.
Check Legal section, for Full Disclaimer, Disclosure and Privacy Policy
Recommended Products
As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Nutrition Information
Yield 4 Serving Size 1 SERVINGAmount Per Serving Calories 308Total Fat 12gSaturated Fat 2gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 0gCholesterol 150mgSodium 492mgCarbohydrates 11gFiber 3gSugar 4gProtein 33g
Nutritional information and values etc are an estimate and is to be used for informational purposes only. Ingredients can vary greatly from brand to brand and therefore it would be impossible to give accurate information. It is always advised that you calculate by the ingredients you use.
Julie says
How many tomatoes do you use. Recipe says 2 tomatoes but I only have cherry tomatoes and it doesn't seem a lot, thanks
Shevy (Slimming Eats) says
Hi Julie - as per the recipe is is 2 vine tomatoes, which each one just fits in a cupped palm. Hope that helps 🙂
Sian Rutter says
Made this today, it was really lovely, definitely adding it to my go to recipes!
Sarah says
Please can you tell me how many this serves.
Thanks
Shevy (Slimming Eats) says
Hi Sarah - if you look at the top of each recipe box on my recipes it will give you the servings (yield) for the recipe. This recipe serves 2. Hope that helps.
Janice Scott says
I don't have any tomatoes can I used tinned ones. thank you
Shevy (Slimming Eats) says
Hi Janice, canned tomatoes should be okay, you just may need to use something to counter act the acidity, fresh tomatoes tend to have a lovely fresh taste that you won't get with canned.
Ambrosiaem says
A really tasty one! I cooked this for the family and everyone loved it. It was also really quick and straightforward to prepare. Yum!
Amanda says
Another fantastic recipe by slimming eats! This was so yummy, felt really naughty having it but for hardly any syns!
Donna says
Would quark be ok to use as low fat cheese?
Shevy (Slimming Eats) says
Hi Donna, you can use quark, just be aware it won't be quite as creamy, as quark tends to be slightly sour in taste.
Karis says
Do you think this would cook well if baked?
Shevy (Slimming Eats) says
You could certainly try, you might need to make the sauce first to reduce and thicken.
Andrea says
what about laughing cow could you use that instead of cream cheese orquark
Shevy (Slimming Eats) says
Hi Andrea - I would use laughing cow instead of cream cheese, quark can be sour in taste, so you won't get the same creaminess.
Thereasa says
Hi Just wondering with all your recipes do the calories and Macronutient numbers include the rice, or pasta or potato that served with in pictures?
Shevy (Slimming Eats) says
Hi Thereasa - the nutritional information only includes the items which are listed in the ingredients list. Hope that helps 🙂
Lorna mccreadie says
Hello, can you freeze this recipe before you add pasta?
Shevy (Slimming Eats) says
Hi Lorna, you sure can 🙂
Kathy says
Just made this and it was absolutely delicious! Even my partner, who never likes anything with pasta in, wolfed it down. Really easy to make, too. I didn't actually skin the tomatoes but they were fine as they were. I also used frozen onion pieces and it still tasted divine. Will definitely make again and share with all my SW friends. Thanks, Shevy.
Sam says
Hi can this dish be reheated?
Thanks
Shevy (Slimming Eats) says
yes it sure can, I usually reheat in a pan until heated through, you may need to add a little stock or water for the sauce.
Chloe says
Can I just make the sauce and freeze it?
Thanks
Shevy (Slimming Eats) says
Yes I am sure that would be fine for freezing 🙂
Lisa says
Cooked this dish this evening. Was really lovely and quick! Added a little spice and Italian herbs. Wonderful!
Siobhan (Slimming Eats) says
So glad you enjoyed it, thanks for commenting.