Description
Garlic tomato chicken with mozzarella brings Mediterranean sunshine to your dinner table. Juicy chicken breasts nestle under a blanket of melted cheese and roasted tomatoes, creating a simple yet irresistible meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 4 chicken fillets
Seasonings and Spices:
- 1 teaspoon (5 g) salt
- Black pepper, to taste
- Garlic powder, to taste
- Sweet paprika, to taste
- 1 teaspoon (5 g) salt
- Dried basil, to taste
- Crushed red pepper flakes, for sprinkling
Cooking Ingredients and Aromatics:
- 1 tablespoon (15 ml) olive oil
- 1 tablespoon (15 g) unsalted butter
- 1 shallot, finely chopped
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- ¼ cup (60 ml) white wine (like Pinot Grigio)
- 2 tablespoons (30 g) tomato paste
- ½ cup (120 ml) chicken broth
- 1 can (14 ounces/400 g) cherry tomatoes or crushed tomatoes
- 3 tablespoons chopped basil leaves
- 2 mozzarella balls, chopped
- 3 tablespoons grated Parmesan
Instructions
- Thoroughly season chicken fillets with a blend of salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika, ensuring even coverage on all sides.
- Heat a combination of oil and butter in an ovenproof skillet over medium-high temperature, creating a golden searing environment.
- Cook seasoned chicken fillets for approximately 5 minutes on each side until they develop a rich, caramelized exterior, then transfer to a plate and loosely tent with foil.
- In the same skillet, sauté minced garlic and finely chopped shallot until their aromatic essence releases and they become translucent.
- Deglaze the skillet with wine, introducing tomato paste and additional seasonings, stirring continuously to develop a concentrated flavor profile.
- Pour in broth and diced tomatoes, allowing the mixture to simmer and reduce, creating a robust sauce that melds all ingredients harmoniously.
- Carefully return chicken to the skillet, nestling the pieces into the sauce to absorb maximum flavor.
- Generously top the dish with fresh basil leaves, cubed mozzarella, cracked black pepper, red pepper flakes, and grated Parmesan cheese.
- Allow the dish to simmer for 5 minutes on the stovetop, or alternatively, transfer to a preheated 200°C/400°F oven and bake for 10 minutes until the cheese melts and turns golden.
- Remove from heat and let the chicken rest briefly before serving, allowing the flavors to integrate and the cheese to set slightly.
Notes
- Customize this dish by swapping chicken with fish or tofu for a unique twist.
- Keep mozzarella cold until the last moment to ensure a perfect melty texture when added to the hot skillet.
- Select ripe, in-season tomatoes for maximum flavor depth and natural sweetness in the sauce.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 12 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg