Mozzarella Chicken Skillet with Creamy Tomato Basil Sauce Recipe

Introduction

This Mozzarella Chicken Skillet is a comforting, flavorful dish that combines tender chicken breasts with a creamy tomato sauce and melty buffalo mozzarella. It’s perfect for a quick weeknight dinner but special enough to impress guests.

Ingredients

• 2 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts (cut or pounded to thin cutlets)
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp salt (plus 1/2 tsp for sauce)
• 1/2 tsp pepper
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 4 oz buffalo mozzarella (sliced)
• 4 cloves garlic (pressed)
• 28 oz crushed tomatoes (1 can)
• 1 tbsp dried Italian seasoning
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1/4 cup parmesan cheese
• 1/3 cup fresh basil (chopped)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Mix the garlic powder, salt, and pepper together, then season each side of the chicken breasts evenly.
2. Step 2: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. When hot, place chicken breasts in a single layer. Cook in batches if needed to avoid overcrowding.
3. Step 3: Cook chicken for 3-4 minutes on each side until browned. Remove from skillet and set aside.
4. Step 4: Add pressed garlic to the skillet and stir for 30 seconds to release aroma. Pour in crushed tomatoes and add Italian seasoning. Reduce heat to medium and simmer for 5 minutes, stirring and scraping the pan to loosen bits.
5. Step 5: Stir in parmesan cheese and heavy cream until smooth. Add chopped basil, then return the chicken to the skillet, coating it with the sauce. Simmer for 3-5 minutes until heated through.
6. Step 6: Place a slice of mozzarella on each chicken piece. Broil in the oven for 3-5 minutes until cheese melts and starts to brown and bubble.
7. Step 7: Garnish with extra basil and serve hot, ideally over pasta or alongside roasted vegetables.

Tips & Variations

• For extra heat, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the tomato sauce.
• Use fresh mozzarella if buffalo mozzarella is unavailable, but ensure to drain excess moisture.
• Swap heavy cream for half-and-half for a lighter sauce, though it may be less rich.
• Serve with garlic bread to soak up the delicious sauce.

Storage

Store leftover chicken and sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop over low heat or in the microwave until warmed through. Avoid broiling again to prevent overcooking the chicken.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts?

Yes, boneless skinless chicken thighs work well and can add more moisture and flavor. Adjust cooking time as thighs may take a little longer to cook through.

How do I prevent the mozzarella from making the dish watery?

Using buffalo mozzarella requires draining excess moisture before slicing and adding it to the chicken. Also, broiling quickly melts the cheese without releasing too much liquid.

Mozzarella Chicken Skillet with Creamy Tomato Basil Sauce Recipe

---

★★★★★

4.6 from 126 reviews

• Author: Jack
• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x

Pin Recipe

Print Recipe

Description

Mozzarella Chicken Skillet is a flavorful and comforting dish featuring tender chicken breasts cooked in a rich tomato cream sauce, topped with melted buffalo mozzarella and fresh basil. This one-pan recipe combines Italian seasonings, garlic, and a creamy tomato base for a delicious meal perfect over pasta or roasted vegetables.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Chicken

• 2 lbs Boneless skinless chicken breasts (cut or pounded to thin cutlets)
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp pepper
• 1 tbsp olive oil

Tomato Cream Sauce

• 4 cloves garlic (pressed)
• 28 oz crushed tomatoes (1 can)
• 1 tbsp Italian seasoning (dried)
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1/4 cup parmesan cheese

Toppings & Garnish

• 4 oz buffalo mozzarella (sliced)
• 1/3 cup fresh basil (chopped)
• Additional fresh basil for garnish

---

Instructions

1. Season the chicken: Mix garlic powder, salt, and pepper together, then evenly season both sides of each chicken breast cutlet.
2. Cook the chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. When the oil is hot, place the chicken breasts in a single layer, cooking in batches if necessary to avoid crowding the pan. Cook each side for 3-4 minutes until browned, then remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
3. Cook the garlic: Add pressed garlic to the same skillet and stir for 30 seconds to flash cook and release its aroma.
4. Make the tomato sauce: Pour crushed tomatoes into the skillet with the garlic, add Italian seasoning, and 1/2 tsp salt. Reduce heat to medium and simmer for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally and scraping the bottom to release any browned bits for added flavor.
5. Finish the sauce: Stir in parmesan cheese and heavy cream until well combined. Add chopped fresh basil to the sauce.
6. Combine chicken and sauce: Return the cooked chicken breasts to the skillet, nestling them into the sauce. Simmer uncovered for 3-5 minutes to heat through and meld flavors.
7. Broil with mozzarella: Place a slice of buffalo mozzarella on top of each chicken breast. Transfer the skillet to the oven and broil for 3-5 minutes or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and starts to brown.
8. Serve: Garnish with additional fresh basil and serve hot over pasta or alongside roasted vegetables for a complete meal.

Notes

• If you don’t have buffalo mozzarella, fresh mozzarella will work as a substitute.
• To ensure even cooking, pound the chicken breasts to an even thickness before seasoning.
• Keep an eye on the broiler as cheese can brown quickly in the last few minutes.
• If you prefer a spicier dish, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the tomato sauce.
• This dish pairs wonderfully with pasta, rice, or roasted vegetables.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: Italian

Keywords: mozzarella chicken, chicken skillet, tomato cream sauce, Italian chicken recipe, skillet chicken, easy dinner, one-pan chicken