9 Chicken and Tomato Recipes to Savor When It's Dang Cold Outside

Some of the heartiest winter recipes involve two pantry staples many people keep on hand: chicken and canned tomatoes.

Published January 28, 2025

Chicken tikka masala in a white speckled ceramic bowl. In the top left corner is a small bowl holding cilantro leaves and on the top right edge of the image is a plate holding naan bread. — Serious Eats / Eric Kleinberg

Fall and winter are relatively mild in San Francisco, but the minute temperatures dip below 55ºF (13ºC), I find myself whipping up comforting stews, soups, and one-pot meals to keep myself warm. Some of the heartiest and most delicious bang-for-your-buck recipes involve two pantry staples many people, including myself, keep on hand: chicken and canned tomatoes. With that in mind, I've gathered a few of my favorite chicken and tomato recipes, like succulent chicken cacciatore, creamy enchilada soup, and tikka masala. Most of these meals are ready in under an hour. In other words: Perfectly doable for weeknights or a lazy weekend supper.

Chicken Parmesan Sandwiches
Serious Eats / Kevin White
Crisp, juicy chicken parm smothered in tomato sauce and melty cheese is the kind of hearty fare designed for casual dining on the couch, especially when it's cold outside. Make individual subs or go party-sized to feed a crowd—like when you've got friends over to watch the big game.
Chicken Parmesan Sandwiches
The Best Chicken Tikka Masala
Serious Eats / Eric Kleinberg
A salty yogurt-based marinade and intense charring on a hot grill guarantee a more flavorful and deliciously aromatic chicken tikka masala. Slightly undercooking the chicken—whether on a grill, stovetop grill pan, or even under a broiler—allows you to simmer it in the creamy spiced tomato sauce until tender without risk of overcooking the meat.
The Best Chicken Tikka Masala
Nicaraguan Arroz con Pollo
Serious Eats / Qi Ai
This deeply savory version of chicken and rice is a classic in Nicaraguan kitchens . Tomato paste and ketchup, along with olives, capers, and Parmesan, provide layers of tartness to balance the richness of the smoky sausage and ham.
Nicaraguan Arroz con Pollo
Chicken Cacciatore With Mushrooms, Tomato, and Onion
Serious Eats / Vicky Wasik
There is no denying the appeal of tucking into a pot of chicken braised in white wine with mushrooms, onion, and tomato on a chilly evening. What makes this recipe even better is that it has all the flavor and depth of a slow-cooked dish, but can be ready in a little over an hour—so you can have it even on a weeknight.
Chicken Cacciatore With Mushrooms, Tomato, and Onion
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Better Pressure Cooker Butter Chicken
Serious Eats / Vicky Wasik
This version of butter chicken hits all the right notes: It has a mildly spiced tomato-based sauce, tender charred chicken, and a generous dose of butter and cream. Plus: It can be made in under an hour. To give the sauce more depth of flavor, use canned fire-roasted tomatoes.
Better Pressure Cooker Butter Chicken
30-Minute Pressure Cooker Chicken With Chickpeas, Tomatoes, and Chorizo
Serious Eats / J. Kenji López-Alt
This easy one-pot meal gets its smoky flavor from chorizo, smoked paprika, and roasted tomatoes—and takes just 30 minutes to come together. Keep it in your back pocket for busy weeknights or evenings when you simply don't feel like cooking or doing the dishes.
30-Minute Pressure Cooker Chicken With Chickpeas, Tomatoes, and Chorizo
Easy Creamy Chicken Enchilada Soup
Serious Eats / J. Kenji López-Alt

What can you make with some chicken, canned chopped tomatoes, dried chiles, and chicken stock? Well, add some corn kernels, green chiles, canned black beans, cheese, and a few aromatics and you've got yourself a pot of delightfully cheesy enchilada soup.
Easy Creamy Chicken Enchilada Soup
Easy One-Pot Chicken Bouillabaisse
Serious Eats / Yasmin Fahr
Who says bouillabaisse has to be made with seafood? Here, we take all the components of the southern French classic—tomatoes, saffron, fennel, and garlicky mayonnaise-like rouille—and pair it with perfectly browned chicken for an easy, satisfying one-pot meal.
Easy One-Pot Chicken Bouillabaisse
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Easy Pressure Cooker Chicken and Chickpea Masala
Serious Eats / J. Kenji Lopez-Alt
Tangy, spicy, and ridiculously comforting, this easy pressure cooker version of chicken and chickpea masala is the kind of meal that feels like you're putting on your favorite fuzzy sweater.
Easy Pressure Cooker Chicken and Chickpea Masala

9 Chicken and Tomato Recipes to Savor When It's Dang Cold Outside

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