Chicken Mozzarella Bake Bliss: A Cheesy, Flavorful Hug Straight from the Oven!
Make this Chicken Mozzarella Bake: tender chicken, zesty tomato sauce, and melty mozzarella with Italian spices. Easy, delicious, and perfect for dinner!
Ingredients
Here’s everything I use, measured out with love:
- Chicken:
- 4 small chicken breasts, skinless, boneless, thin or pounded out
- 1 tbsp garlic powder
- 1 tbsp onion powder
- 1 tbsp Italian seasoning
- Salt & black pepper to taste
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- Tomato Sauce:
- 1 can chopped tomatoes (16 oz)
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- ½ red onion, finely chopped
- 2 tsp oregano
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Topping & Garnish:
- 1 cup grated mozzarella
- A few basil leaves, chopped for garnish
I line it all up on my counter, and it’s like an Italian feast waiting to happen. This makes 4 hearty servings—perfect for sharing or savoring solo, depending on my mood. It’s my roadmap to cheesy bliss. I always double-check my stash before I start—it’s my ritual to stay chill. Nothing’s worse than missing tomatoes mid-prep, right? Keeps me in the groove and ready to cook.
Instructions
Step 1: Preheat the Oven
Let’s get warm—preheat the oven to 375°F (I love that cozy hum!). Set aside a baking dish—ready for action (my kitchen’s buzzing with bake vibes!). It’s the toasty kickoff—pure baking magic!
Step 2: Prep the Chicken
Take 4 small, skinless, boneless chicken breasts—make sure they’re thin or pound them out (my heart races for that juicy prep!). On a cutting board, make shallow cuts on one side—don’t cut through (my kitchen’s prepping for flavor!). Flip them—sprinkle with ½ tbsp garlic powder, ½ tbsp onion powder, ½ tbsp Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper to taste—rub it in (my hands are happy!). It’s the savory base—pure seasoned delight!
Step 3: Season the Top
Place chicken in the baking dish, cut side up—sprinkle with the rest of the seasonings (½ tbsp each of garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, more salt, and pepper) (my kitchen smells like Italy!). Drizzle with 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil—rub it into the cuts (my heart races for that flavor soak!). It’s the zesty heart—pure chicken joy!
Step 4: Make the Sauce
In a bowl, mix 1 can (16 oz) chopped tomatoes, 3 minced garlic cloves, ½ finely chopped red onion, 2 tsp oregano, salt, and black pepper to taste—stir well (my kitchen’s a sauce haven!). It’s the tangy layer—pure tomato bliss!
Step 5: Assemble the Bake
Pour the sauce over the chicken—cover evenly—sprinkle 1 cup grated mozzarella on top (my heart races for that cheesy blanket!). It’s coming together—pure bake magic!
Step 6: Bake and Broil
Bake 25-30 minutes ‘til chicken hits 165°F—cheese bubbly (my kitchen smells like a trattoria!). Broil 2 minutes—watch it ‘til golden, not burnt (that first bite’s pure joy, and you made it happen!). Pull from oven—smells like Italy (my table’s a feast!). It’s the tender finish—pure cheesy delight!
Step 7: Garnish and Serve
Sprinkle with chopped basil leaves—serve hot (my kitchen’s an Italian dream!). Dig in—pure saucy joy!