Easy Chicken Puttanesca Recipe

Name: Easy Chicken Puttanesca Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 4 each skinless, boneless chicken breast; 1/3 cup flour; 3 Tbsp. olive oil; 2 cloves garlic, minced; 2 fillet anchovies; 1-2 tsp hot pepper flakes (adjust according to taste); 1 cup cherry tomatoes cut in half; 1/3 cup capers; 1/2 cup whole or sliced pitted kalamata olives; 1/2 cup white wine; salt and pepper to taste; fresh torn basil leaves (for serving)

Loriana Shea
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Easy Chicken Puttanesca Recipe

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This Chicken Puttanesca transforms a classic Italian pasta sauce into a hearty, flavor-packed dinner. Tender chicken breasts are simmered in a savory tomato sauce with garlic, olives, capers, and a touch of red pepper flakes. It’s the kind of rustic Italian meal that delivers bold flavor with simple pantry ingredients and comes together in about 30 minutes.

As someone who grew up in Italy, puttanesca sauce was always one of those dishes that proved you don’t need many ingredients to create something memorable. While it’s traditionally served with pasta, pairing the sauce with chicken turns it into an easy weeknight dinner that’s perfect served with crusty bread, roasted vegetables, or a side of pasta.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Ready in about 30 minutes
One-pan meal with easy cleanup
Packed with bold Mediterranean flavors
Naturally low in carbohydrates
Perfect for busy weeknights

Things to know about this Easy Chicken Puttanesca Recipe

Serving Suggestions

Serve Chicken Puttanesca with:

Crusty Italian bread
Roasted potatoes
Buttered pasta
Creamy polenta
A simple green salad

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave until warmed through.

Recipe Tips

Chicken thighs work beautifully in place of chicken breasts.
For extra richness, add a splash of white wine before the tomatoes.
If you enjoy more heat, increase the red pepper flakes.
Fresh cherry tomatoes can replace canned tomatoes during peak summer season.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does puttanesca mean?

Puttanesca refers to a classic Italian sauce made with tomatoes, olives, capers, garlic, and often anchovies. It’s known for its bold, briny flavor.

Can I add anchovies?

Absolutely. Add 2–3 anchovy fillets with the garlic and allow them to melt into the sauce.

Can I make this ahead?

Yes. The flavors become even better the next day, making it an excellent meal-prep option.

Related Recipes You’ll Love

If you love the bold, briny flavors of puttanesca sauce, here are a couple more ways I love to use it with seafood. The sauce works beautifully with both delicate fish and rich, flaky salmon.

Spaghetti Puttanesca with tuna

This is the original way the sauce is served in Italy, tossed with pasta and finished with olive oil and fresh herbs. and often tuna. Both versions use the same base sauce, so you can easily switch between them depending on what you’re craving.

Cod Puttanesca

This is a lighter, coastal version of the classic sauce. Mild, flaky cod simmers directly in the tomato, olive, and caper sauce, soaking up all those Mediterranean flavors. It’s a simple one-pan dinner that feels elegant but comes together in under 30 minutes—perfect for busy weeknights.

Salmon Puttanesca

Rich, buttery salmon holds up perfectly to the boldness of puttanesca sauce. The combination of crispy-edged salmon and the tangy tomato-olive base makes this a restaurant-style meal you can make at home. It’s hearty, flavorful, and ideal when you want something a little more elevated but still easy.