If you’re craving a dish that’s both delicious and easy to prepare, look no further than this Quick & Easy Mozzarella Chicken. This recipe transforms simple ingredients into a satisfying, Italian-inspired meal that’s perfect for busy weeknights. Imagine juicy, tender chicken breasts infused with aromatic Italian spices, smothered in a savory tomato sauce, and crowned with gooey, melted mozzarella cheese. This dish combines everything we love about comfort food, all while staying low in carbs and packing a hearty dose of protein.
PrintEasy Mozzarella Chicken
Melt-in-your-mouth mozzarella magic! 🍗🧀 Tender chicken breasts smothered in rich marinara sauce and topped with gooey, melted mozzarella. This quick & easy dish is perfect for busy weeknights! 🕒✨
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4-6 servings
Ingredients
- Olive Oil (2 tablespoons): This is used to sauté the onions and brown the chicken, adding a rich depth of flavor and helping prevent the ingredients from sticking to the pan.
- Onion (1 finely chopped): Onion adds sweetness and umami, enhancing the overall savory profile of the dish.
- Garlic (3-4 cloves, minced or grated): Fresh garlic infuses the sauce with a rich, aromatic warmth. Use 3 cloves for a subtle flavor or 4 for a bolder garlic presence.
- Crushed Tomatoes or Marinara Sauce (1 can, 15 oz): This forms the base of the sauce, lending a tangy, slightly sweet flavor that pairs beautifully with the other ingredients. Feel free to use your favorite marinara for added seasoning.
- Italian Seasoning (1 teaspoon): A blend of dried basil, oregano, rosemary, and thyme, Italian seasoning provides an earthy, aromatic quality to the sauce.
- Garlic Powder (½ teaspoon): Adds extra garlicky depth without overpowering the fresh garlic.
- Crushed Red Pepper, Salt, and Black Pepper (½ teaspoon each): This trio of seasonings balances the sauce’s flavor profile. The crushed red pepper adds a mild heat, while salt and pepper enhance the overall taste.
- Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts (4 small to medium): Chicken breasts offer a lean, protein-rich base for this dish, absorbing all the delicious flavors from the sauce and spices.
- Mozzarella Cheese (8 oz, fresh or shredded): The star of the show! Mozzarella adds a creamy, gooey finish to the chicken, providing richness and visual appeal.
- Fresh Basil (for garnish): Basil adds a fresh, fragrant pop of color and flavor, elevating the dish with its signature aromatic profile.
Instructions
Step 1: Preheat the Oven
Start by preheating your oven to 400°F (200°C). This high heat allows the chicken to cook quickly while helping the mozzarella achieve that golden, bubbly finish.
Step 2: Sauté the Onions
In a large, oven-safe skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium-high heat. Once heated, add the finely chopped onion and sauté for 2-3 minutes, until it softens and begins to turn golden at the edges. This initial step builds a flavorful foundation for the sauce, with the onions adding sweetness and depth.
Step 3: Add Garlic and Tomatoes
Add the minced garlic to the skillet and cook for about 30 seconds, until it becomes fragrant. Be careful not to let it brown, as this can cause a bitter flavor. Then, pour in the crushed tomatoes and season with Italian seasoning, garlic powder, crushed red pepper, salt, and black pepper. Stir well and let the sauce simmer for an additional 2 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.
Tip: If you prefer a chunkier sauce, you can substitute half of the crushed tomatoes with diced tomatoes. For a smoother consistency, give the sauce a quick pulse with an immersion blender.
Step 4: Brown the Chicken
Place the boneless, skinless chicken breasts in the skillet with the sauce. Cook for 1-2 minutes on each side, just enough to give the outside a slight golden crust. Browning the chicken enhances its flavor and helps lock in its juices, keeping it moist and tender throughout baking.
Step 5: Bake the Chicken
Transfer the entire skillet to the preheated oven and bake for 10 minutes. Baking allows the chicken to cook evenly and lets the flavors from the sauce seep into every bite.
Step 6: Add Mozzarella and Finish Baking
After the initial 10 minutes, remove the skillet from the oven and flip the chicken breasts over. Top each piece with fresh mozzarella slices (or shredded mozzarella if using). Return the skillet to the oven and bake for another 10 minutes, until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and slightly golden on top. The chicken should reach an internal temperature of 165°F to ensure it’s fully cooked.
Tip: If you prefer a little extra browning on the cheese, turn on the broiler for the last 2-3 minutes of cooking. Keep a close eye to prevent burning!
Step 7: Garnish and Serve
Once the chicken is fully cooked and the mozzarella has melted to perfection, carefully remove the skillet from the oven. Garnish with freshly chopped basil and serve immediately. This Mozzarella Chicken pairs beautifully with a side of roasted vegetables, a green salad, or even a slice of garlic bread to soak up the savory tomato sauce.
Notes
- Add Vegetables: Include sliced bell peppers, zucchini, or mushrooms to the skillet for added nutrition and texture. Just sauté the veggies with the onions and proceed with the recipe as usual.
- Try a Different Cheese: While mozzarella is classic, you can also use provolone, fontina, or even a smoked gouda for a unique twist.
- Make it Spicier: Increase the crushed red pepper or add a dash of cayenne pepper to give the sauce more heat.
- Serve with Pasta: For a heartier meal, serve the Mozzarella Chicken over a bed of spaghetti or zucchini noodles. This will make it feel like a complete Italian feast!
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 Minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Oven-Baked, Sautéed
With just 10 minutes of prep and 20 minutes of cook time, this Mozzarella Chicken recipe is a fantastic way to bring restaurant-quality flavors to your kitchen with minimal effort. It’s ideal for families, couples, or anyone craving a quick and wholesome meal. Plus, it’s customizable—meaning you can swap in ingredients or add your favorite seasonings to make it your own.
Ingredients Breakdown
This Mozzarella Chicken recipe calls for pantry staples and fresh ingredients that make it easy to prepare anytime. Here’s a closer look at what you’ll need:
- Olive Oil (2 tablespoons): This is used to sauté the onions and brown the chicken, adding a rich depth of flavor and helping prevent the ingredients from sticking to the pan.
- Onion (1 finely chopped): Onion adds sweetness and umami, enhancing the overall savory profile of the dish.
- Garlic (3-4 cloves, minced or grated): Fresh garlic infuses the sauce with a rich, aromatic warmth. Use 3 cloves for a subtle flavor or 4 for a bolder garlic presence.
- Crushed Tomatoes or Marinara Sauce (1 can, 15 oz): This forms the base of the sauce, lending a tangy, slightly sweet flavor that pairs beautifully with the other ingredients. Feel free to use your favorite marinara for added seasoning.
- Italian Seasoning (1 teaspoon): A blend of dried basil, oregano, rosemary, and thyme, Italian seasoning provides an earthy, aromatic quality to the sauce.
- Garlic Powder (½ teaspoon): Adds extra garlicky depth without overpowering the fresh garlic.
- Crushed Red Pepper, Salt, and Black Pepper (½ teaspoon each): This trio of seasonings balances the sauce’s flavor profile. The crushed red pepper adds a mild heat, while salt and pepper enhance the overall taste.
- Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts (4 small to medium): Chicken breasts offer a lean, protein-rich base for this dish, absorbing all the delicious flavors from the sauce and spices.
- Mozzarella Cheese (8 oz, fresh or shredded): The star of the show! Mozzarella adds a creamy, gooey finish to the chicken, providing richness and visual appeal.
- Fresh Basil (for garnish): Basil adds a fresh, fragrant pop of color and flavor, elevating the dish with its signature aromatic profile.
Step-by-Step Instructions for Perfect Mozzarella Chicken
Step 1: Preheat the Oven
Start by preheating your oven to 400°F (200°C). This high heat allows the chicken to cook quickly while helping the mozzarella achieve that golden, bubbly finish.
Step 2: Sauté the Onions
In a large, oven-safe skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium-high heat. Once heated, add the finely chopped onion and sauté for 2-3 minutes, until it softens and begins to turn golden at the edges. This initial step builds a flavorful foundation for the sauce, with the onions adding sweetness and depth.
Step 3: Add Garlic and Tomatoes
Add the minced garlic to the skillet and cook for about 30 seconds, until it becomes fragrant. Be careful not to let it brown, as this can cause a bitter flavor. Then, pour in the crushed tomatoes and season with Italian seasoning, garlic powder, crushed red pepper, salt, and black pepper. Stir well and let the sauce simmer for an additional 2 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.
Tip: If you prefer a chunkier sauce, you can substitute half of the crushed tomatoes with diced tomatoes. For a smoother consistency, give the sauce a quick pulse with an immersion blender.
Step 4: Brown the Chicken
Place the boneless, skinless chicken breasts in the skillet with the sauce. Cook for 1-2 minutes on each side, just enough to give the outside a slight golden crust. Browning the chicken enhances its flavor and helps lock in its juices, keeping it moist and tender throughout baking.
Step 5: Bake the Chicken
Transfer the entire skillet to the preheated oven and bake for 10 minutes. Baking allows the chicken to cook evenly and lets the flavors from the sauce seep into every bite.
Step 6: Add Mozzarella and Finish Baking
After the initial 10 minutes, remove the skillet from the oven and flip the chicken breasts over. Top each piece with fresh mozzarella slices (or shredded mozzarella if using). Return the skillet to the oven and bake for another 10 minutes, until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and slightly golden on top. The chicken should reach an internal temperature of 165°F to ensure it’s fully cooked.
Tip: If you prefer a little extra browning on the cheese, turn on the broiler for the last 2-3 minutes of cooking. Keep a close eye to prevent burning!
Step 7: Garnish and Serve
Once the chicken is fully cooked and the mozzarella has melted to perfection, carefully remove the skillet from the oven. Garnish with freshly chopped basil and serve immediately. This Mozzarella Chicken pairs beautifully with a side of roasted vegetables, a green salad, or even a slice of garlic bread to soak up the savory tomato sauce.
Flavor, Texture, and Aroma
With each bite of this Mozzarella Chicken, you’re met with juicy, tender chicken encased in a rich, aromatic tomato sauce. The mozzarella adds a layer of creaminess, creating a satisfying contrast to the tangy sauce and mild heat from the crushed red pepper. The aroma of Italian herbs fills the kitchen as you cook, building anticipation for the first delicious bite.
The sauce itself is thick and flavorful, clinging to each piece of chicken for a full-bodied taste that will have you reaching for seconds. The fresh basil garnish adds a peppery, aromatic finish that balances the richness of the cheese and enhances the Italian-inspired flavors.
Variations and Serving Suggestions
One of the best things about this Mozzarella Chicken recipe is its versatility. Here are some ideas for making it your own:
- Add Vegetables: Include sliced bell peppers, zucchini, or mushrooms to the skillet for added nutrition and texture. Just sauté the veggies with the onions and proceed with the recipe as usual.
- Try a Different Cheese: While mozzarella is classic, you can also use provolone, fontina, or even a smoked gouda for a unique twist.
- Make it Spicier: Increase the crushed red pepper or add a dash of cayenne pepper to give the sauce more heat.
- Serve with Pasta: For a heartier meal, serve the Mozzarella Chicken over a bed of spaghetti or zucchini noodles. This will make it feel like a complete Italian feast!
Ingredient Substitutions
If you’re looking to adapt this recipe based on what you have on hand, consider these substitutions:
- Chicken Thighs: Bone-in, skinless chicken thighs work well in this recipe and add extra flavor. Just adjust the cooking time, as thighs may take a bit longer to reach an internal temperature of 165°F.
- Dairy-Free Option: For a lactose-free version, use a dairy-free mozzarella or omit the cheese altogether and top with extra fresh basil.
- Tomato Options: You can replace the crushed tomatoes with diced tomatoes or even a smooth tomato puree if you prefer a less textured sauce.
Final Thoughts
This Quick & Easy Mozzarella Chicken is a shining example of how simple ingredients can come together to create a restaurant-worthy dish at home. Whether you’re making it for a family dinner, a cozy date night, or even meal prepping for the week, this recipe is sure to satisfy. The combination of tender chicken, savory sauce, and gooey mozzarella makes it an instant favorite that you’ll want to add to your dinner rotation.
So, gather your ingredients, preheat the oven, and prepare to enjoy this comforting and delicious Mozzarella Chicken. Each bite will transport you straight to the heart of Italy, with rich flavors and textures that make this dish truly unforgettable. Buon appetito!