Cheesy Mozzarella Chicken Bake
Tender, juicy chicken breasts baked in a rich marinara and blanketed with gooey mozzarella and savory parmesan. A fast, family-friendly pan of comfort perfect for busy weeknights or effortless entertaining.
Ingredients
- 4 large chicken breasts, boneless and skinless (pounded to even thickness if needed)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 1 1/2 cups marinara sauce (your favorite jar or homemade)
- 1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella (part-skim or whole milk)
- fresh basil or parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and set a rack in the center. If not using an oven-safe skillet, lightly grease a 9×13 baking dish.
- Pat the chicken dry. Season both sides with garlic powder, salt, and black pepper.
- Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the chicken 3–5 minutes per side until lightly golden (it will finish in the oven). Transfer to the baking dish if your skillet isn’t oven-safe.
- Reduce heat to medium. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil if the pan looks dry. Pour in the marinara and warm 1–2 minutes, scraping up browned bits. Spoon a thin layer of sauce into the baking dish, nestle in the chicken, then cover evenly with the remaining sauce.
- Sprinkle parmesan over the sauced chicken, then top evenly with mozzarella.
- Bake uncovered for 15–20 minutes (20–25 for very large breasts), until the chicken reaches 165°F (74°C) in the thickest part and the cheese is melted and bubbling.
- For extra color, broil 1–2 minutes, watching closely, until the cheese is lightly browned.
- Let rest 5 minutes to keep the chicken juicy. Garnish with basil or parsley and serve.
Nutrition
Serving: 1peopleCalories: 420kcalCarbohydrates: 10gProtein: 50gFat: 20gSaturated Fat: 9gSodium: 820mgFiber: 2gSugar: 6g
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