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    Home » Recipes » Chicken Recipes » Crispy Chicken and Tomatoes with Goat Cheese

    Crispy Chicken and Tomatoes with Goat Cheese

    Published: Aug 18, 2021 · Modified: Nov 29, 2022 · by Debra with 3 Comments · 1219 words. About 7 minutes to read this article. · This post contains affiliate links

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    This crispy chicken and tomatoes is an easy one-pan summer dinner. Cherry tomatoes burst into a delicious sauce that pairs perfectly with tangy goat cheese.

    Two plates and a pan with crispy chicken thighs and tomatoes along with two glasses of white wine.

    This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase through my links, I may make a small commission at no additional cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Read my full disclosure policy here.

    If there's one annual summer "thing" you can count on besides an avalanche of zucchini it's an abundance of cherry tomatoes. Fear not, this crispy chicken and tomatoes recipe will help you use two whole pounds!! This one pan plan is a classic Italian combo that will whisk you away to a Tuscan hillside.

    The cherry tomatoes burst to create a luscious sauce, with the help of balsamic vinegar for some umami and Calabrian chili paste for some spice. All you need is the goat cheese and some crispy chicken thighs to turn it into a creamy, dreamy summer dinner, and you've barely had to lift a finger.

    Jump to:
    • Skillet chicken and tomatoes is an easy dinner with all the flavors of summer!
    • Ingredients you'll need
    • How to make chicken and tomatoes with goat cheese
    • What to serve with chicken and tomatoes
    • Tips for perfect chicken and tomatoes
    • More recipes with tomatoes
    • Recipe

    Skillet chicken and tomatoes is an easy dinner with all the flavors of summer!

    • You can make it in one skillet!
    • You only need 6 ingredients.
    • Use cherry tomatoes or grape tomatoes, whichever you have on hand.
    • Balsamic vinegar and Calabrian chile paste add tangy, spicy, umami flavors that punch up the sauce.
    • Goat cheese adds creaminess, but also keeps it light.
    Chicken thighs, fresh basil, grape tomatoes, and small bowls with goat cheese, balsamic vinegar and Calabrian chili paste.

    Ingredients you'll need

    • Cherry tomatoes: You can use cherry tomatoes or grape tomatoes for this recipe. You can even try a mix of those pretty little multi-colored tomatoes!
    • Chicken thighs: Look for bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs that are not too big and are all close to the same size for even cooking.
    • Goat cheese: Soft goat cheese, sometimes labeled as chevre, will soften and melt into the burst tomato sauce giving it a creaminess and a tangy zip.
    • Calabrian chili paste: Made from chilis that come from the southern region of Calabria in Italy, this paste has a smoky-sweet taste and medium heat. You can find it in Italian markets and on Amazon. I can often find it at Trader Joe's, they call it Bomba Sauce.
    • Balsamic vinegar: Use a good balsamic vinegar from Modena, Italy. The sweetness and acidity will bring a nice umami to the sauce and bring all the Italian flavors together.
    • Fresh basil: What goes better with tomatoes in the summer than fresh basil? Gotta have it!
    • Kosher salt and olive oil

    How to make chicken and tomatoes with goat cheese

    Recipe adapted from Bon Appétit. Follow these step by step instructions and dinner is on the table in no time!

    Step 1: Get the chicken crispy!

    Heat a large, heavy bottom skillet or casserole pan over medium high. (Not cast iron, see tip below.) Use a paper towel to pat the skin dry on the chicken thighs, season on both sides with kosher salt and freshly ground pepper.

    Browned chicken thighs in a blue casserole pan.

    Working in two batches, place the chicken thighs skin side down and cook for 7-10 minutes, until the skin is golden brown, flip over and cook for another 5-7 minutes. Set the chicken aside while you make the cherry tomato sauce.

    Grape tomatoes and other ingredients in a blue casserole pan.

    Step 2: Cook down the tomatoes

    In the same pan with the remaining chicken fat, add the tomatoes, vinegar, calabrian chili paste and kosher salt.

    Cooked burst cherry tomato sauce in a pan.

    Stir occasionally, letting the tomatoes burst and release their juices.

    Browned chicken thighs atop burst cherry tomato sauce in a blue pan ready to finish cooking.

    Step 3: Finish cooking the chicken and tomatoes

    Add the chicken thighs back into the pan and reduce heat to medium. Cook for another 7-10 minutes, until the chicken thighs are fully cooked and reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees F.

    Step 4: Top with goat cheese and basil

    Top with goat cheese and fresh basil leaves and serve immediately.

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    What to serve with chicken and tomatoes

    • Keep it super-summery and very Italian and start with a Peach Salad with Prosciutto, Fresh Mozzarella, and Basil Vinaigrette.
    • You can never go wrong with crispy roasted potatoes on the side.
    • A simple kale salad is always a crowd pleaser.

    Tips for perfect chicken and tomatoes

    • Cherry tomatoes will burst in about 10-15 minutes, but grape tomatoes tend to take longer to burst and release their juices. If you are using them, it will probably take closer to 20 minutes to get them to the stage when you add the chicken thighs back to the pan.
    • Avoid using a cast iron skillet for this recipe because the acidity of the tomatoes and balsamic vinegar can take the seasoning off of the pan and create metallic flavors in the sauce. Use a non-stick pan or enameled cast iron instead.
    • If you like it spicier, feel free to add more chili paste.
    • Can't find Calabrian chili paste? Add crushed red pepper flakes instead.

    More recipes with tomatoes

    Here are a few more ideas for what to do with all those cherry tomatoes!

    • If you want a similar vibe, but a quicker cook time, these Boneless, Skinless, Chicken Thighs with Tomatoes, Basil and Garlic will do the trick.
    • For a twist on a classic, try this Shrimp Scampi with Tomatoes, Corn and Fresh Basil.
    • The only effort required for Oven Baked Salmon with Roasted Tomatoes and Basil Yogurt Sauce is slicing the tomatoes in half and squeezing a lemon. You can do it!

    Recipe

    Chicken thighs with burst tomatoes and goat cheese in a blue casserole pan.

    Crispy Chicken and Tomatoes with Goat Cheese

    Crispy chicken and tomatoes is an easy one-pan summer dinner. Cherry tomatoes burst into a delicious sauce that pairs perfectly with tangy goat cheese.
    4.75 from 4 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Main Course, Main Dish
    Cuisine: Italian
    Diet: Gluten Free
    Keyword: burst cherry tomatoes, chicken with tomatoes
    Prep Time: 5 minutes
    Cook Time: 55 minutes
    Total Time: 1 hour
    Servings: 4
    Calories: 763kcal

    Equipment

    • oven proof casserole pan
    • silicone spatula

    Ingredients

    • 2 pounds cherry tomatoes or grape tomatoes
    • 8 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs about 3 pounds
    • 4 oz soft goat cheese
    • 3 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
    • 1 tablespoon Calabrian chili paste
    • fresh basil leaves
    • kosher salt to taste
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    Instructions

    • Heat a large, heavy bottom skillet or casserole pan over medium high. Use a paper towel to pat the skin dry on the chicken thighs, season on both sides with kosher salt and freshly ground pepper.
    • Working in two batches, place the chicken thighs skin side down and cook for 7-10 minutes, until the skin is golden brown, flip over and cook for another 5-7 minutes. Set the chicken aside while you make the cherry tomato sauce.
    • In the same pan with the remaining chicken fat, add the tomatoes, vinegar, calabrian chili paste and kosher salt.
    • Stir occasionally, letting the tomatoes burst and release their juices, 8-18 minutes.
    • Add the chicken thighs back into the pan and reduce heat to medium. Cook for another 7-10 minutes, until the chicken thighs are fully cooked and reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees F. Top with goat cheese and fresh basil leaves and serve immediately.

    Notes

    • Grape tomatoes tend to take longer to burst and release their juices. If you are using them, it will probably take closer to 20 minutes to get them to the stage when you add the chicken thighs back to the pan.
    • If you like it spicier, feel free to add more chili paste.
    • You can find Calabrian chili paste in Italian markets and on Amazon. You can also substitute with a pinch or two of crushed red pepper flakes if you prefer. 
     
    This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase through my links, I may make a small commission at no additional cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Read my full disclosure policy here

    Nutrition

    Calories: 763kcal | Carbohydrates: 13g | Protein: 54g | Fat: 54g | Saturated Fat: 17g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 10g | Monounsaturated Fat: 21g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 296mg | Sodium: 355mg | Potassium: 1122mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 1635IU | Vitamin C: 52mg | Calcium: 92mg | Iron: 4mg

    More Chicken Recipes

    • Greek Chicken and Potatoes
    • Hungarian Chicken Paprikash
    • Roast Chicken
    • Skillet Chicken Shawarma with Rice and Tahini Sauce

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Troy

      January 14, 2023 at 10:20 pm

      4 stars
      Wow, the flavor of the sauce was amazing. Much more than I expected given the short ingredient list. Definitely a keeper.

      Reply
      • Debra

        January 15, 2023 at 12:24 pm

        Hi Troy!

        It's amazing what some tiny tomatoes can do, isn't it?

        So glad you liked the recipe!

        Thanks for reading,

        Debra

        Reply
    2. Linda Cummings

      September 02, 2021 at 7:40 pm

      5 stars
      Great way to prepare chicken thighs.

      Reply

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    Hi, I'm Debra! I love to cook and eat and travel, and cook the things I eat when I travel! I'm a detail-oriented Virgo, so it's my jam to simplify recipes and break them down into easy to follow steps. I help you bring the world to your table!

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    Hi, I'm Debra! I love to cook and eat and travel, and cook the things I eat when I travel! I'm a detail-oriented Virgo, so it's my jam to simplify recipes and break them down into easy to follow steps. I help you bring the world to your table!

    More about me →

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