Easy Cheesy Chicken Mozzarella Bake
Juicy chicken, tangy tomatoes, and melted mozzarella create a comforting, flavorful delight.
Equipment
- Baking Dish
- Cutting Board
Ingredients
- 4 small chicken breasts (skinless, boneless, thin or pounded out)
- 1 Tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 Tablespoon onion powder
- 1 Tablespoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and black pepper (to taste)
- 2 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 can chopped tomatoes (16 ounce)
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 0.5 red onion finely chopped
- 2 Teaspoons dried oregano
- Salt and black pepper (to taste)
- 1 cup grated mozzarella cheese
- fresh basil leaves chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Prepare your chicken breasts by ensuring they are thin. If they are thick, gently pound them between two sheets of plastic wrap until about 1/2 inch thick; this helps them cook evenly and absorb flavor.
- On a clean cutting board, make shallow slits (about 1/4 inch deep) across one side of each chicken breast, being careful not to cut all the way through. These cuts are key for the seasoning to penetrate deeply.
- Flip the chicken breasts over. Sprinkle half of the garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper evenly over this side, then gently rub it in.
- Arrange the seasoned chicken breasts in a baking dish, with the slashed side facing upwards.
- Sprinkle the remaining garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper over the top (slashed side) of the chicken, ensuring full coverage. Drizzle generously with olive oil.
- Gently rub the seasonings and olive oil into the slashed side, working them into the cuts for maximum flavor infusion.
- In a separate bowl, combine the chopped tomatoes, minced garlic, finely chopped red onion, dried oregano, and a pinch of salt and black pepper. Stir well to create a simple, flavorful sauce.
- Spoon the tomato sauce evenly over the chicken breasts, then generously sprinkle with the grated mozzarella cheese.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through (internal temperature of 165°F/74°C). For a golden, bubbly top, carefully broil for an additional 1-2 minutes, keeping a close eye to prevent burning.
- Garnish with fresh chopped basil and serve immediately. Enjoy your delicious and healthy meal!
Notes
Juicy chicken, tangy tomatoes, and melted mozzarella create a comforting, flavorful delight.
Nutrition per serving:
- Calories: 395 kcal
- Total Carbs: 6.2 g
- Net Carbs: 4.9 g
- Fats: 18 g
- Protein: 50 g
