Braised chicken with tomatoes is a perfect example of a Tuscan classic. This Tomato Braised Chicken Thighs is an easy dish to make that will always be a crowd-pleaser. I love this Chicken In White Wine Sauce recipe in the fall, or even during the weekend when you have good weather like we have right now and you can prepare it outside on your grill.
Do you know about the health benefits of tomatoes? According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, keep reading to know more.
Braised Chicken With Tomatoes
- Level: Easy
- Total: 55 min
- Prep: 10 min
- Cook: 45 min
- Yield: 8 to 10 servings

Ingredients
- 4 tablespoons canola oil
- 6 chicken thighs
- 6 chicken legs
- Kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon whole cumin seeds
- 2 teaspoons chili flakes
- 1 large white onion, peeled, halved and thinly sliced
- 1 large ginger knob, peeled and grated
- 6 garlic cloves, peeled and halved lengthwise
- 1 (28-ounce) can whole, peeled tomatoes
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 4 fresh or dried bay leaves
- Water, as needed
Directions
- In a big skillet, heat the canola oil over high heat. Place the chicken thighs and legs in a single layer on a tray and sprinkle salt over them to taste. Reseason the pieces after turning them over to their other side. Add the chicken to the oil carefully when it starts to lightly smoke. Avoid packing the pan too full. Defy the urge to reposition or rotate the pieces. Allow them to brown for 3 to 5 minutes on the first side. To sear the chicken pieces’ second side, flip them using metal tongs for 3 to 5 minutes. Put the chicken on a tray and reserve it.
- The cumin seeds and chili flakes should be added to the same skillet and quickly stirred for 10 to 15 seconds to toast them. Stir in the onions, ginger, and garlic after adding them. The tomatoes, cinnamon, and bay leaves are added after the ingredients have been salt-seasoned to taste. Give the mixture about 10 minutes to cook so that the flavors can meld. Re-add the chicken to the pan, maintain a low heat, and cook for 30 to 45 minutes more, or until the chicken is thoroughly cooked. (Chef’s note: Feel free to add some water, about 1/2 cup at a time, if the sauce gets too thick or starts to stick to the bottom of the skillet.)
- Remove and discard the bay leaves and cinnamon sticks once the chicken is fully cooked. Transfer to a serving bowl after seasoning with a taste. If preferred, serve with the braised cabbage.

Tomato Braised Chicken Thighs
They are mouth-melting. Chicken thighs braised in tomatoes are really simple to prepare but are bursting with flavor. They become a fast favorite.
276 CALORIES, 16 G, 9 G, 33 G, and 9 G PROTEIN
You won’t believe how wonderful these straightforward chicken thighs are cooked in tomatoes! There are numerous ways to personalize and take the dish in various flavor directions, and the chicken is tender and the sauce is rich. Serve it over spaghetti squash, rice, creamy polenta, or pasta.
One of my favorite meals to prepare when we have visitors around for dinner is this delectable one from Food 52, which is also simple to make. For dinner parties, I frequently use bone-in thighs and reserve some with the skin on for those who prefer it. Everyone is content regardless since those who don’t like it can just erase it.
However, I always use boneless, skinless thighs when I’m cooking for just the two of us to cut back on calories, and I adore the flavor-boosting addition of onions. Olives are a great complement as well. You are welcome to increase the thyme and garlic to your preferred level. This recipe is fantastic since it can be used in a variety of ways, so feel free to get inventive!

How Do You Make Tomato Braised Chicken Thighs?
This is as simple to make as it is to adapt.
The chicken needs to be salted and peppered before anything else. Next, add a tablespoon or so of olive oil to a nonstick skillet that has been heated to medium-high heat. A single layer of chicken thighs should be added, and they should fry for 3 to 4 minutes on each side, or until they begin to brown. The thighs can either be moved to one side of the pan or removed from the pan and placed on a plate to rest.
Afterward, add onion, garlic, and olive oil to the same skillet. Cook for an additional two minutes, or until the garlic is aromatic. Tomatoes, chicken broth, and thyme should all be added to this combination. Re-add the chicken to the stock and vegetables, cover, and bring everything to a boil.
Allow everything to boil at a low temperature for 30 minutes, or until the chicken is thoroughly cooked. Serve after adding optional fresh chopped parsley!
Recipe Ideas
This simple chicken cooked in tomatoes recipe practically begs for customization. You could prepare this recipe every week and have a whole different flavor profile because there are so many different ways to modify it.
- By topping this meal with some crumbled feta cheese, drained canned chickpeas, and sliced olives (my favorite are the Calvestrano), you may transform it into a Mediterranean dinner. Also delicious would be capers. Artichoke hearts that have been drained may also be included.
- Add a diced chipotle pepper, replace the thyme with oregano, and serve it with queso fresco and cilantro to give it a Mexican flair. Additionally, you might use hot canned tomatoes like Rotel.
- Make this Italian-style by adding Parmesan cheese, fresh or dried basil, and red pepper flakes.
- Add some roasted red peppers and replace the tomatoes with fire-roasted varieties to intensify the flavor of this dish. This provides a wonderfully great smoky flavor.
- When cooking the onions, add some chopped kale, or add some wilted spinach in the last five minutes of cooking to add some greens.
- Add some canned beans to the meal to make it heartier. Great Northern white beans, cannellini beans, or chickpeas are all suitable choices.
- To give the dish an earthy touch, saute some fresh mushrooms along with the onions. In a pinch, you may substitute canned mushrooms.
- Finish the dish in Caprese fashion by adding mozzarella, fresh basil, and a drizzle of balsamic vinegar or glaze.
- Any herbs will work in this recipe. Thyme, rosemary, oregano, basil, or a mixture of herbs are all acceptable. They are available dried or fresh.
- An Indian twist on this recipe would be to add curry spices and finish with some coconut milk.
- Finish the meal with a dash of half-and-half, crème fraiche, coconut cream (or milk), or cream cheese to give it a creamy texture.

How to Use Leftover Tomato Braised Chicken
- Shred the chicken and prepare tacos in the tinga manner with tortillas, diced onions, cilantro, avocado, hot sauce, and other hot ingredients.
- Shakshuka: Bake some eggs in the traditional Shakshuka method or just bake them with some melted cheese on top using the remaining sauce.
- Pasta: Chop up some roasted or sauteed vegetables, add some newly made pasta, and shred some leftover chicken.
- Grain bowls: Prepare some quinoa or farro, add some vegetables or greens that have been cooked, and then add any leftover braised chicken. Pack them up for simple leftover dinners or weekday lunches.
Chicken In White Wine Sauce
Chicken Braised in White Wine and Tomatoes Recipe Let the delicious dish that results from simmering this White Wine Tomato Braised Chicken Recipe all year long.
The entire family will enjoy this recipe for White Wine Tomato Braised Chicken, which blends white wine, herbs, and tomatoes with chicken. This savory chicken meal is full of robust, rich ingredients that make it a wonderful comfort food for cooler weather, but it’s also an excellent choice for warmer climates. And the aroma will astound you! Everyone will be gathered around the stove waiting for this mouthwatering dish of chicken simmered with tomatoes, toasted, fragrant mustard and fennel seeds, and white wine as the drool-inducing perfume fills your home. It’s wonderful!
White Wine Tomato Braised Chicken is incredibly simple to make, much like so many other dishes my family likes (and I like to share with you!). Start by quickly toasting the mustard and fennel seeds in a big skillet for two minutes. Oh my, if you’ve never roasted seeds! It has an incredible scent. The seeds should be crushed after being toasted in a mortar and pestle (or small basin or dish). They are currently waiting for the chicken to brown. In hot oil, brown the chicken till browned on each side. Chicken should be taken out of the pan. Once added, sauté the onion until tender. Next is garlic. Shortly, for 2 minutes, sauté.
The remaining ingredients are then added, including the browned chicken, wine, parsley, and tomatoes. Everything will start to smell lovely soon! Bring to a low boil when almost finished. Simmer for a short while. Simmer until chicken is cooked through. Transfer to a heated oven, cover, and cook for two to three hours, if time allows.

It’s a fairly simple recipe. This deliciously seasoned dinner dish is made with a few basic ingredients that everyone will love. With a crisp green salad and fluffy rice or steamed veggies, we enjoy serving the braised chicken and tomatoes. Enjoy!
WHITE WINE TOMATO BRAISED CHICKEN RECIPE
WHITE WINE TOMATO BRAISED CHICKEN RECIPE
- YIELD: 8
- PREP TIME: 10 MINUTES
- COOK TIME: 45 MINUTES
- TOTAL TIME: 55 MINUTES
A delicious savory chicken dish perfect for serving over rice, pasta, or mashed potatoes.
INGREDIENTS
- 1 tablespoon yellow mustard seed
- 1 teaspoon fennel seed
- 8 medium bone-in chicken thighs, trimmed
- 1 teaspoon coarse sea salt
- 1/2 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 cup coarsely chopped onion
- 2 garlic cloves, finely minced
- 1/2 cup dry white wine
- 1 tablespoon parsley flakes
- 14 1/2-ounce can diced tomatoes, undrained
INSTRUCTIONS
- a big skillet is warmed at medium-high heat. Toasting the mustard and fennel seeds with them will make them aromatic (about 2 minutes). In order to prevent over-toasting, remove off hot pan. Toasted seed can be crushed and placed aside.
- Chicken should be salted and peppered. In the same skillet, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Chicken should be prepared in batches, 5 minutes per side, or until golden. Take the chicken out of the pan, cover it, and keep it warm.
- Add the onion and stir for about 5 minutes, or until it is tender. For two minutes while stirring, add the minced garlic. Add wine, parsley, tomatoes, toasted crushed seeds, and chicken to the mixture. a low boil is reached. Turn down the heat and cover. Stirring occasionally, let simmer on low for at least 20 minutes.
- Remove the cover and simmer for an additional 10 to 15 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked, if you plan to serve right away.
- If time allows, cover the dish and place it in a warm oven (approximately 250 degrees F) to continue to braise for another two to three hours until it’s time to serve.
- If desired, serve with pasta or rice.
NOTES
- For braising, chicken pieces with the bones and skin on are preferable because they add richness and depth of flavor.
Health Benefits of Tomatoes
1. Tomatoes are good for your skin.
Lycopene, an ingredient used in several of the more expensive over-the-counter facial cleansers, is found in high concentrations in tomatoes.
Start with eight to twelve tomatoes if you wish to try tomatoes for skin care. Place the tomato’s skin on your face so that the tomato’s interior touches your skin after you’ve peeled it.
After letting the tomatoes stay on your face for at least 10 minutes, wash. Your skin will appear glossy and clean. There might be some redness, but it should go away with time.
2. Tomatoes help prevent several types of cancer.
Studies have shown that eating foods high in lycopene, such as tomatoes, can lower your risk of developing stomach, colorectal, and prostate cancer.
Natural antioxidant lycopene effectively slows the development of malignant cells. Make some of your mother’s renowned tomato soup since cooking tomatoes increases their lycopene content.
3. Tomatoes help maintain strong bones.
Tomatoes contain a considerable amount of calcium and Vitamin K. Both of these nutrients are essential in strengthening and performing minor repairs on the bones as well as the bone tissue.
4. Tomatoes help repair damage caused by smoking.
No, consuming tomatoes is not the newest trend in quitting smoking. Tomatoes, on the other hand, might lessen the harm cigarettes cause to your body.
To protect the body from carcinogens caused by cigarette smoke, tomatoes contain coumaric acid and chlorogenic acid.
5. Tomatoes provide essential antioxidants.
Vitamin A and C are both abundant in tomatoes. The main reason for this is that beta-carotene and these vitamins act as antioxidants to combat dangerous free radicals in the blood.
The presence of free radicals in the bloodstream is a threat because they can cause cellular damage. Keep in mind that tomatoes contain more beta-carotene the redder they are. Additionally, you need keep in mind that boiling eliminates the vitamin C, therefore eating raw tomatoes is necessary for these advantages.
6. Tomatoes are good for your heart.
Tomatoes are good at lowering blood pressure and cholesterol because they contain potassium and Vitamin B. Therefore, you can successfully prevent heart attacks, strokes, and many other heart-related issues that could endanger your life by having tomatoes in your daily, balanced diet.
7. Tomatoes are good for your hair.
The Vitamin A in tomatoes works perfectly to keep your hair shiny and strong. In addition, it also does wonders for your eyes, skin, bones and teeth.
8. Tomatoes are good for your kidneys.
Adding tomatoes without seeds to your diet has been proven in some studies to reduce the risk of kidney stones.
9. Tomatoes are good for your eyes.
Tomatoes include vitamin A, which is excellent for enhancing vision. Additionally, one of the finest foods to take to stop the onset of night blindness is tomatoes.