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Easy Weeknight Mozzarella Chicken

This Mozzarella Chicken Bake is a quick and easy chicken dinner. The chicken breasts come out perfectly moist and are cooked directly in your favorite marinara sauce and then topped with tons of mozzarella cheese.

Prep Time
5 mins
Cook Time
5 mins
Additional Time
5 mins
Total Time
30 mins
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 782 kcal
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Italian , American

Ingredients

  • 4 small or 2 large boneless skinless chicken breasts
  • salt and pepper
  • 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning OR 1 teaspoon each basil and oregano, divided
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 24-ounce jar of marinara sauce
  • 1 ¾ cups (6oz) shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 12 ounces pasta fettuccine is a great option

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Preheat your oven to 425℉.
  2. If using 2 large chicken breasts, slice each piece of chicken into 2 cutlets by placing your hand on top of the chicken breast and running a sharp knife horizontally through the breast, slicing the top and bottom into two thin, even pieces.
  3. Generously salt and pepper the top of each piece of chicken and then sprinkle on 1 teaspoon of Italian seasoning.
  4. Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to boil for your pasta.
  5. In a 12-inch, oven-safe skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Once hot, add chicken breasts to the pan, seasoning-side down. Salt and pepper the other side of the chicken breasts and top with remaining 1 teaspoon of Italian seasoning. Cook chicken until the first side is browned, 3 to 4 minutes. Flip the chicken and repeat with the second side.
  6. Remove skillet from heat and pour marinara sauce over the chicken. Use tongs or a fork to pick up each chicken piece and nestle it into the sauce so there is sauce on all sides of the chicken.
  7. Sprinkle ¼ of the cheese on each chicken breast and then place the skillet in the oven. Bake until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the chicken breasts reads 165°F, about 10-20 minutes.* Allow chicken to rest for 5 minutes before serving.
  8. While your chicken bakes and then rests, cook pasta according to packaging instructions.
  9. Serve each chicken breast on a bed of pasta and spoon sauce over the top. Enjoy!

Notes

  • * If you don't own an oven-safe skillet, sear the chicken and then transfer it to a 9x13-inch baking dish and follow the rest of the recipe as written. 
  • * Longer for very large chicken breasts.
  • Storage
  • Refrigerator: Store covered for up to 3 days, and you can reheat the sauce and chicken gently over medium heat on the stove or in the microwave. 
  • Freezer: Store chicken and sauce in a freezer zip top bag for up to 3 months. Defrost in the refrigerator before reheating. Serve over freshly cooked pasta. 

Nutrition Information

Calories 782kcal (39%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 4servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories 782

% Daily Value*

Calories 782kcal 39%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.