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
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
- Season the chicken: Mix garlic powder, salt, and pepper together, then evenly season both sides of each chicken breast cutlet.
- 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.
- Cook the garlic: Add pressed garlic to the same skillet and stir for 30 seconds to flash cook and release its aroma.
- 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.
- Finish the sauce: Stir in parmesan cheese and heavy cream until well combined. Add chopped fresh basil to the sauce.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
