Dutch Oven Chicken Breast With Diced Tomato (Healthy)

Here’s a little backstory on my obsession with dutch ovens.

The older I get, the more I have to eat healthier—thanks, menopause!

If you’ve been here since the start, you know my mom usually handles the cooking in our multigenerational house. But as of mid last year, I started taking over a lot of my meals because, well….this life stage is tough!

Menopause. That’s a whole other story.

Long story short, I needed meals with balanced protein, carbs, and fats—minus the heavy comfort food and sweets (which I LOVE).

Everyone else in the house, they prefer a more traditional meat and potato kinds of meal / comfort food, but for me, one look at it and it sticks to my midsection like glue 🤯.

It’s the most ridiculous, frustrating part at this stage of my life!

So now, I bounce between nutritious Home Chef meals and cooking in my crockpot or Dutch oven.

Problem solved – all the mess in one pot and so easy to use.

I’ve discovered that chicken stays perfectly juicy when cooked in a Dutch oven, a game-changer for me since I practically live on chicken (not thrilled about it, but hey, it’s protein, and I struggle to get enough).

Fast, moist, and delicious …problem solved!

That brings me to today’s quick dutch oven recipe that I think you will love! I actually made this for the entire family but with a side of pasta (to keep the rest of the family happy!).

BTW, check out my 12 favorite dutch oven recipes for more fun ideas.

Why You You Need A Dutch Oven

• Fast and easy meals
• All the mess in one pot
• Store the leftovers “in the same pot” in the refrigerator (means less dishes to wash!)
• Can use on the stovetop or in the oven

If you are in the market for a dutch oven, we have this one in red (which is a great price point and comes in all colors) but if you prefer a pre seasoned one, this one has excellent reviews and is a little cheaper.

Ingredients

6 Chicken Breasts

Butter: 1 tbsp

Worcestershire Sauce

Olive Oil: 3 tablespoons

Garlic Powder: 2 teaspoons

Salt: 1 teaspoon

Smoked Paprika: 2 teaspoon

Black Pepper: 1/2 teaspoon

Mushrooms: 16 ounces, sliced

Yellow Onion: 1, diced

Peppers: package of 4 (orange/yellow/red) cut up

Chicken Broth: 1¼ cups

Can Of Diced Tomatoes – 28 ounce (Fire Roasted adds great taste!)

Minced Garlic: 2-3 tablespoons (feel free to use less if not a fan of garlic)

Worcestershire Sauce: 1 tbsp

How To Cook

Printable recipe card at the bottom of the post

1. Set oven at 370 degrees
2. Heat olive oil and garlic in the Dutch oven
3. Cut dry chicken breasts in half (the long way), season with paprika, salt and pepper and sear both sides, add to dutch oven on medium (2 min. each side) and then remove from dutch oven
4. Melt the butter in the Dutch oven, then add diced onions, chicken broth, mushrooms, and canned tomatoes. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil and then immediately simmer. Nestle chicken, remaining seasonings, and Worcestershire sauce.
5. Remove Dutch Oven from heat, cover and transfer to preheated for 15-20 minutes or until inside of chicken is “not pink” (165 degrees).

Note: For a thicker sauce, you can add a small can of tomato paste; if you prefer a thinner consistency, simply add more chicken broth.

Tips When Using a Dutch Oven

• Ensure your Dutch oven is oven-safe and designed for baking
• Check the chicken’s internal temperature after 15 minutes, as cooking times may vary by oven
• Avoid over-searing the chicken to prevent it from drying out

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best dutch oven and where should I buy? The best Dutch oven is one that’s durable, versatile, and oven-safe, like my 6 quart enameled cast iron option or my 7.5 quart model available on Amazon. I’ve always had good luck with the LODGE cast iron dutch ovens so I defintely recommend them! Both are excellent choices for baking, roasting, and simmering delicious meals.

Why does chicken cook so well in a dutch oven? Chicken cooks so well in a Dutch oven because its heavy, tight-fitting lid retains moisture and evenly distributes heat, preventing the chicken from drying out.