How to improve tomato pasta sauce?

7 Ways to Improve the Taste of Jar Pasta Sauce Sautee Some Veggies. The first step to making your jar sauce better is to sautee some garlic in olive oil on your stovetop. ... Mix in Some Meat. ... Add a Splash of Red Wine. ... Spice It Up. ... Get Cheesy. ... Stir in More Dairy. ... Pop It in the Oven.

What is chicken spaghetti made of?

Classic Chicken Spaghetti is made up of, you guessed it, chicken and spaghetti . Both are cooked, then tossed together with a cheesy cream sauce. Often, peppers and onions are added and chili powder and paprika give a bit of heat and smoky flavor in this ultimate comfort food.

What is the secret to good tomato sauce?

Starting with good quality tomatoes and crushing them by hand offers great flavor and texture later on. The combination of butter and oil releases fat-soluble aromatics and gives the sauce a creamy texture. Slowly cooking the sauce in the oven creates rich caramelization without burning .

When should I add tomato sauce to pasta?

First, in authentic Italian cuisine, the sauce is always tossed with the pasta before it ever hits the plate . Just before the sauce is done cooking, the hot pasta is added to the saucepan. Generally speaking, we recommend cooking the pasta in the sauce together for about 1-2 minutes.

What is a spaghetti chicken condition?

“Spaghetti meat” describes a meat quality issue stemming from a muscle abnormality in a small percentage of chicken meat. Spaghetti meat is characterized by loss of integrity of muscle fibers resulting in a fraying or spaghetti-like appearance in chicken meat .

Do Italians chicken pasta?

Some Italian food purists still maintain that chicken has no place in pasta because it overwhelms the simpler, fresher flavors the dish should deliver. Instead, they prefer to prepare a separate chicken dish either as a second-course main or a side dish.

Is chicken pasta traditional Italian?

In the United States, there are many variations of fettuccine Alfredo, but the one that makes Italians raise their eyebrows the most is undoubtedly the addition of chicken to this creamy sauce. In Italy, traditionally speaking, you would never ever mix chicken with pasta!

How do you add depth to tomato sauce?

Fresh vegetables and ingredients easily add flavor and texture to a bland sauce. Use mushrooms to give your sauce umami flavor. ... Get fancy and make a sauce heartier with a brunoise. ... Add jarred sauce to a pan of onions and garlic. ... Add hand-torn basil for a fresher, deeper taste. ... Fennel seeds can add flavor to a sauce. More items... Feb 26, 2024

How do you make jar tomato sauce better?

Maybe it needs a touch of salt, red pepper flakes, or some fresh garlic to liven it up. You could add dried or fresh herbs too: oregano, basil, thyme, tarragon, parsley—they're all great! Want to go next level? Toss in some chopped anchovies (or anchovy salt), olives, or some lemon zest and/or juice .

How do you balance tomato pasta sauce?

Great tomato flavor is all about balancing acidity and sweetness. Too much of either can leave you with asauce that tastes one-dimensional. Many sources recommend adding a pinch of baking soda to a sauce that's overly tart, which raises the pH and makes it less acidic . We've always preferred adding a bit of sugar.

25 Minute Chicken Linguine Recipe with Tomato Sauce (2024)

This Chicken Linguine Recipe is dinner, simplified. The combination of cheese, fire-roasted tomatoes, and zesty Italian dressing gives this skillet pasta such a vibrant flavor, it will leave you begging for more!

Chicken Linguine Recipe

Even with just 10 ingredients, this skillet pasta is incredibly dynamic. I grabbed a tasting fork and dove in for the pre-dinner taste test.

The combination of tender chicken and linguine with savory tomatoes and zesty Italian dressing gives this dish such a vibrant flavor, I had to go back for more!

Since this recipe with chicken and tomato sauce is ready in under 30 minutes, Sunday dinner is now a weeknight meal!

In fact, I have plenty of 30 minute chicken recipes for you to choose from!

Aside from the classic chicken and tomato sauce combo, you’ll find cheesy casserole, creamy soups, and even a few appetizers!

25 Minute Chicken Linguine Recipe with Tomato Sauce (2)

Ingredient Notes and Substitutions

Chicken – Slice boneless, skinless chicken breasts into strips — or grab a pack of tenderloins to save yourself the prep work!
Tomato Paste – Such a small amount makes a big difference! This boosts the savory flavor and helps to thicken the sauce.
Fire Roasted Diced Tomatoes – The secret ingredient for “simmered all day” flavors in such a quick chicken linguine recipe.
If you can’t find the variety with garlic, grab the one without and swap the garlic powder for a few minced cloves instead.
Linguine – Really, any long noodle variety will work with skillet chicken and tomato sauce.
Try spaghetti or fettuccine, but stay away from thinner options like angel hair pasta as it’s too delicate for the weight of the chicken and tomato sauce.

25 Minute Chicken Linguine Recipe with Tomato Sauce (3)

Tips for Making the Best Skillet Pasta

Use the right pan.

You’ll get a better sear on the chicken with a Dutch oven or enameled cast iron pan.

Nonstick just won’t get hot enough, and you may end up with burnt bits if you use stainless steel.

DON’T salt your pasta water.

I know, it goes against all of the traditional advice.

But there is already plenty of salt in this chicken linguine recipe, between the Italian dressing and Parmesan cheese, so we don’t need it in the noodles.

Don’t forget to garnish!

Freshly grated parmesan and chopped parsley are finishing touches that round out the flavors in this dish — and make each plate so pretty!

25 Minute Chicken Linguine Recipe with Tomato Sauce (4)

Variations of this Recipe with Chicken and Tomato Sauce

With chicken and linguine as your base, there are so many ways to make this recipe your own!

I am going to try swapping the zesty Italian dressing for a sun-dried tomato dressing.

And for an extra kick, a can of Hunt’s Diced Tomatoes with Spicy Red Peppers — oh what a dinner that will be!

You could easily swap the chicken in this skillet pasta with ground beef or Italian sausage if you prefer.

Veggies are another welcome addition to this recipe with chicken and tomato sauce. Zucchini, mushrooms, bell peppers, and even broccoli would be tasty.

Just keep in mind that certain varieties may need to be sauteed first (after the chicken) or steamed separately and stirred in before serving.

25 Minute Chicken Linguine Recipe with Tomato Sauce (5)

Serving Suggestions

Make it a true Italian feast with a big bowl of salad and your choice of garlic bread, knots, or breadsticks.

Chicken and Linguine FAQ

Is it bad to cook tomato sauce in cast iron?

As long as the pan is enameled, it’s perfectly fine.

It’s not recommended to cook acidic ingredients and sauces in a regular cast iron pan, as they can erode the seasoning or even make your food taste metallic.

Can I cook the linguine in the same pan?

Not with this chicken linguine recipe — there won’t be enough liquid to cook the pasta, and adding it will water down the sauce.

I do have a few one pot pasta meals you can try. Explore the Greek flavors in a cheesy pasta with chicken, or add your own poultry to puttanesca!

25 Minute Chicken Linguine Recipe with Tomato Sauce (6)

Storing and Reheating Chicken and Tomato Sauce

Allow the dish to cool, then transfer to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator. Leftovers will keep for 3 to 4 days.

Reheat chicken and linguine together in the microwave or in a skillet on the stove. If it seems a bit dry, add a splash of water or chicken broth for moisture.

25 Minute Chicken Linguine Recipe with Tomato Sauce (7)

Enjoy!
With love, from our simple kitchen to yours.

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25 Minute Chicken Linguine Recipe with Tomato Sauce (8)

Other Quick Skillet Meals

25 Minute Chicken Linguine Recipe with Tomato Sauce (9)

25 Minute Chicken Linguine Recipe with Tomato Sauce

Donna Elick

This 25 minute Chicken Linguine Recipe makes an easy, scrumptious skillet pasta with the flavors of chicken parm — right on your stovetop!!

5 stars from 1 review

Tried this recipe?Please comment and review!

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 10 minutes mins

Total Time 25 minutes mins

Course Main

Cuisine Italian

Method Stovetop

Servings 4

Ingredients

▢ 1/2 pound linguine, uncooked
▢ 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
▢ 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into strips
▢ 3 tablespoons tomato paste
▢ 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
▢ 14.5 ounces fire roasted diced tomatoes with garlic, undrained (I use Hunt's)
▢ 1/2 cup water
▢ 1/4 cup Italian dressing, I use Kraft Zesty Italian
▢ 1/4 cup fresh grated Parmesan cheese, or Parmesan/Romano blend
▢ 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley

Instructions

Cook pasta as directed on package, omitting salt.
Meanwhile, heat oil in a large nonstick skillet on medium heat. Add chicken and cook 8-10 minutes, flipping once.
Stir in tomato paste and garlic powder and continue cooking for another minute.
Add tomatoes, dressing, and water and stir to combine.
Using tongs or a spaghetti server, transfer pasta from cooking water and place into the skillet. Toss pasta to cover with sauce and cook for 2 minutes.
Garnish pasta with cheese and fresh parsley. Serve and enjoy!

Nutrition

All nutritional information is based on third party calculations and is only an estimate. Each recipe’s nutritional value will vary depending on the ingredients used, measuring methods, and portion sizes.

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

25 Minute Chicken Linguine Recipe with Tomato Sauce (14)

Originally published March 2013. Updated and republished September 2023

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