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Cheesy Mozzarella Chicken Bake

  • Author: Avery
  • Total Time: 40 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x
  • Diet: Gluten-free (if marinara is gluten-free)

Description

This Cheesy Mozzarella Chicken Bake is your answer to a cozy, crowd-pleasing dinner with very little effort. Juicy, pan-seared chicken breasts are smothered in marinara, then blanketed with gooey mozzarella and nutty Parmesan that melt into a golden, bubbly crust like a fuss-free, skillet chicken Parm without the breading.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 1 cup marinara sauce
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • Fresh basil leaves, for garnish
  • Olive oil, for searing

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels. Season both sides generously with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning.
  3. In a large oven-safe skillet, heat a drizzle of olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the chicken breasts and sear for 3–4 minutes per side, until golden brown (they do not need to be cooked through yet).
  4. Remove the skillet from the heat. Pour the marinara sauce evenly over and around the chicken breasts, coating them well.
  5. Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella over the chicken, followed by the grated Parmesan, covering as evenly as possible.
  6. Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake for 25–30 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C) and the cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly golden.
  7. Remove from the oven and let the dish rest for 5 minutes to allow the juices to settle. Garnish with fresh basil leaves just before serving.

Notes

  • Use a flavorful marinara you love the sauce is a big part of the dish, so its quality really shows.
  • If your chicken breasts are very thick, consider slicing them horizontally into cutlets so they cook more evenly and quickly.
  • The cheese will continue to set slightly as the dish rests, making it easier to serve neat portions.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Stovetop & Oven-Baked
  • Cuisine: Italian-American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 chicken breast with sauce and cheese (1/4 of recipe)
  • Calories: 450 kcal (approx.)
  • Sugar: 5 g (approx., from marinara)
  • Sodium: 880 mg (approx., varies with marinara and cheese)
  • Fat: 26 g (approx.)
  • Saturated Fat: 12 g (approx.)
  • Unsaturated Fat: 13–14 g (approx.)
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 8 g (approx.)
  • Fiber: 1 g (approx.)
  • Protein: 46 g (approx.)
  • Cholesterol: 150 mg (approx.)

Keywords: cheesy mozzarella chicken bake, marinara chicken, skillet chicken bake, easy chicken dinner, low-carb chicken, Italian chicken recipe

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Find it online: https://averyrecipes.com/cheesy-mozzarella-chicken-bake/