Chicken Mozzarella Bake Recipe
This Chicken Mozzarella Bake recipe combines tender, seasoned chicken breasts with a rich, flavorful tomato sauce and melted mozzarella cheese. Perfectly baked to golden perfection and garnished with fresh basil, it’s an easy and delicious Italian-inspired meal suitable for a weeknight dinner.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Seasonings
- 4 small skinless, boneless chicken breasts (thin or pounded out)
- 1 tbsp garlic powder
- 1 tbsp onion powder
- 1 tbsp Italian seasoning
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
Tomato Sauce
- 1 can chopped tomatoes (16 oz)
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/2 red onion, finely chopped
- 2 tsp oregano
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Topping and Garnish
- 1 cup grated mozzarella cheese
- A few fresh basil leaves, chopped
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the chicken.
- Prepare Chicken Breasts: Ensure the chicken breasts are small and thin; if not, pound them to even thickness to ensure even cooking and better flavor absorption.
- Make Cuts on Chicken: On a cutting board, make shallow cuts on one side of each chicken breast without cutting all the way through, allowing seasonings to penetrate the meat.
- Season One Side: Flip the chicken breasts and sprinkle half of the garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper on the exposed side. Rub the seasonings into the chicken for enhanced flavor.
- Arrange Chicken in Baking Dish: Place the chicken breasts in a baking dish with the cut side facing up.
- Season Other Side and Add Oil: Sprinkle the remaining seasonings over the top side of the chicken and drizzle with olive oil. Rub the oil and spices into the cuts for maximum flavor.
- Prepare Tomato Sauce: In a bowl, combine the chopped tomatoes, minced garlic, finely chopped red onion, oregano, salt, and black pepper. Stir well to mix all ingredients.
- Add Sauce and Cheese: Pour the tomato sauce over the chicken breasts, covering them thoroughly. Sprinkle the grated mozzarella cheese evenly on top.
- Bake Chicken: Bake the chicken in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes until the chicken is cooked through and the cheese is melted.
- Broil to Finish: Turn on the broiler and broil the dish for 2 minutes to brown and crisp the cheese topping. Keep a close watch to prevent burning.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from oven, sprinkle chopped fresh basil leaves over the top, and serve immediately for a flavorful Italian meal.
Notes
- Make sure the chicken breasts are evenly pounded or thin so they cook evenly.
- Watch the broiler carefully during the cheese browning step to avoid burning.
- You can substitute fresh tomatoes with canned diced tomatoes if preferred.
- Serve with a side of pasta, steamed vegetables, or a fresh salad for a complete meal.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.
Keywords: chicken mozzarella bake, baked chicken recipe, Italian chicken bake, chicken with tomato sauce and cheese, easy chicken dinner
Find it online: https://trendytasterecipes.com/chicken-mozzarella-bake-recipe/
