Chicken Ave Maria

Elevate your dinner table with the heavenly flavors of Chicken Ave Maria, a soul-warming dish that combines tender, golden-seared chicken breasts with a rich and creamy tomato-basil sauce. Infused with the aromatic essence of garlic and shallots, and finished with Parmesan cheese for a velvety texture, this recipe strikes the perfect balance between comfort and sophistication. Serve it over pasta, such as fettuccine or penne, for a satisfying, restaurant-worthy meal that comes together in just under an hour. Whether you're hosting guests or treating your family to something special, this one-pan masterpiece is destined to become a favorite. Enjoy it with a crisp side salad or warm, crusty bread for a complete, irresistible dining experience.

Nutriscore Rating: 70/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:50 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 4 pieces boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 shallots, finely chopped
• 1 14-ounce can crushed tomatoes
• 0.5 cup heavy cream
• 0.5 cup chicken broth
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 0.25 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped
• 0.5 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
• 12 ounces pasta, such as fettuccine or penne (optional)

Directions

Step 1

Season the chicken breasts with salt and black pepper on both sides.

Step 2

In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the chicken breasts and cook for 4-5 minutes on each side, or until golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.

Step 3

In the same skillet, reduce the heat to medium and add unsalted butter. Once melted, add the minced garlic and chopped shallots. Sauté for 2-3 minutes until fragrant and softened.

Step 4

Add the crushed tomatoes, chicken broth, and heavy cream to the skillet. Stir well to combine and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.

Step 5

Stir in the Italian seasoning and half of the chopped basil. Let the sauce simmer for 5-7 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together.

Step 6

Gradually stir in the Parmesan cheese until the sauce becomes creamy and smooth.

Step 7

Return the cooked chicken breasts to the skillet, spooning the sauce over them. Simmer for an additional 5 minutes to allow the chicken to absorb the flavors.

Step 8

If serving with pasta, cook it according to the package instructions while the sauce is simmering. Drain and set aside.

Step 9

Serve the chicken with the creamy tomato sauce over cooked pasta (if using), and garnish with the remaining chopped basil.

Step 10

Enjoy your Chicken Ave Maria with a fresh side salad or crusty bread for a complete meal.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1865.5g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2834.6

Total Fat 133.0g	0%
Saturated Fat 58.0g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g
Cholesterol 813.6mg	0%
Sodium 3919.8mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 132.5g	0%
Dietary Fiber 13.8g	0%
Total Sugars 17.2g
Protein 259.1g	0%

Vitamin D 7.0IU	0%
Calcium 725.1mg	0%
Iron 14.4mg	0%
Potassium 3102.6mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 43.3%

Protein: 37.5%

Carbs: 19.2%