1-First Step: Prep the chicken and tomatoes Start by rinsing the chicken thighs if needed, then pat them dry well with paper towels. This helps the skin brown better in the skillet. Season both sides with salt and ground black pepper. Next, place the whole peeled tomatoes in a food processor and puree them until smooth. If you do not have a food processor, you can crush them by hand, but a smoother puree gives the sauce a more even texture.

2-Second Step: Sear the chicken Set a braiser or heavy skillet over high heat. Once the pan is hot, place the chicken thighs skin-side down first. Sear until the skin turns golden brown, then flip and brown the other side. Do not rush this part. Browning adds flavor and helps create the rich base that makes braised chicken taste so satisfying. When the chicken is nicely browned, remove it from the pan and set it aside, but keep the pan juices in the skillet.

3-Third Step: Cook the onion and garlic Lower the heat to medium and add the olive oil. Stir in the diced onion and minced garlic, then cook until softened and fragrant. This usually takes just a few minutes. The softened onion and garlic work like the backbone of the sauce. They blend with the tomato puree and bring that familiar Italian chicken flavor people love in a good one pot chicken dinner.

4-Fourth Step: Build the sauce Pour in the pureed tomatoes and add the chopped basil. Stir everything together so the herbs mix into the sauce. Let it warm through for a minute or two, and scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Those bits add extra flavor.

5-Fifth Step: Braise until tender Return the chicken thighs and any juices from the plate to the pan. Nestle them into the tomato sauce so they are partly covered. Put the lid on tightly and lower the heat to a gentle simmer. Cook for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the chicken is tender and cooked through. If you are using chicken breasts instead of thighs, shorten the simmer to 10 to 15 minutes so they do not dry out. This is where the dish becomes a true braised chicken recipe, with the sauce doing the work while the chicken turns soft and juicy.

6-Final Step: Finish and serve Once the chicken is cooked, season the sauce with additional salt to taste and stir in the brown sugar. The sugar is not there to make the sauce sweet. It simply balances the tomato acidity and rounds out the flavor. Garnish with chopped Italian parsley and serve the dish hot. Spoon the sauce over the chicken so every bite gets that rich, tomato-herb taste. This pairs well with rice, pasta, mashed potatoes, crusty bread, or even roasted vegetables.