Description
Mozzarella Chicken Bake is a quick and easy comfort meal featuring tender chicken breasts baked with fresh mozzarella cheese and savory seasonings. With its creamy, melty cheese topping and versatile basic ingredients, this dish delivers satisfying flavor and texture perfect for busy weeknights or casual gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 to 1 ½ cups fresh or shredded mozzarella cheese
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Optional Ingredients
- ½ cup marinara sauce or diced tomatoes (for a saucier version)
- Fresh basil or parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Lightly coat the chicken breasts with olive oil, then season generously with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning to infuse the meat with fragrant flavors.
- Sear the Chicken: Heat a skillet over medium-high heat and sear the chicken breasts for 2-3 minutes on each side until golden brown. This step locks in juices and creates a beautiful crust that enhances texture during baking.
- Layer the Mozzarella: Place the seared chicken breasts in a baking dish and top each piece with sliced or shredded mozzarella cheese. For an extra touch, add spoonfuls of marinara or diced tomatoes if you prefer a saucier dish.
- Bake Until Melty and Juicy: Transfer the baking dish to your preheated oven and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) and the mozzarella is bubbly and golden.
- Garnish and Serve: Once out of the oven, sprinkle fresh basil or parsley over the top, letting the bright herbaceous notes complement the rich, cheesy flavors perfectly.
Notes
- Use fresh mozzarella for creamier texture and better melting.
- Don’t skip searing: browning the chicken before baking adds flavor and prevents dryness.
- Allow the bake to rest slightly before serving to let juices redistribute.
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken is cooked to a safe internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- Customize your sauce by adding balsamic vinegar or extra garlic to marinara for deeper flavor.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast with cheese
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 4 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 40 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg
Keywords: mozzarella chicken bake, cheesy chicken recipe, baked chicken with mozzarella, easy chicken dinner, gluten free chicken recipe