Description

This Chicken Mozzarella Bake is a cheesy, saucy weeknight hero. Juicy seared chicken breasts are nestled in garlicky marinara, blanketed with fresh mozzarella and Parmesan, then baked until bubbling and golden. Finished with a shower of fresh basil, it tastes like chicken Parmesan meets a Margherita pizza without the breading or fuss.

Ingredients

Scale

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 cup marinara sauce (homemade or store-bought)
1 cup fresh mozzarella cheese, sliced
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 cup fresh basil leaves (plus extra for garnish, if desired)
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
Heat the olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium heat.
Add the minced garlic and sauté for 1–2 minutes, just until fragrant and lightly golden. Do not let it burn.
Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels, then season both sides generously with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning.
Place the chicken in the hot skillet and sear for 4–5 minutes per side, until nicely browned. The chicken will finish cooking in the oven.
Pour the marinara sauce evenly over and around the chicken, turning each piece once so it’s well coated in sauce.
Arrange the fresh mozzarella slices over the top of each chicken breast.
Sprinkle the grated Parmesan cheese evenly over the mozzarella and sauce.
Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake for 20–25 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) and the cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly golden.
Remove from the oven and let rest for 5 minutes. Top generously with fresh basil leaves before serving.

Notes

Use thin, evenly sized chicken breasts so they cook at the same rate; pound thicker pieces to even thickness if needed.
Choose a good-quality marinara since it’s a main flavor—look for one with simple ingredients and low added sugar.
If your skillet isn’t oven-safe, sear the chicken in any pan, then transfer everything to a baking dish before baking.
Letting the chicken rest for a few minutes after baking keeps it juicy and lets the cheese set slightly for easier serving.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Bake
Cuisine: Italian-American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 chicken breast with sauce and cheese (¼ of recipe)
Calories: 350 kcal (estimated)
Sugar: 4 g (from marinara, estimated)
Sodium: 680 mg (estimated, varies by marinara and salt use)
Fat: 19 g (estimated)
Saturated Fat: 8 g (estimated)
Unsaturated Fat: 10 g (estimated)
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 6 g (estimated, mostly from sauce)
Fiber: 1 g (estimated)
Protein: 38 g (estimated)
Cholesterol: 115 mg (estimated)

Keywords: chicken mozzarella bake, cheesy chicken, baked chicken, low carb chicken, skillet chicken, easy weeknight dinner, Italian chicken recipe