Description

Your ultimate 30-minute weeknight hero! Juicy chicken smothered in garlicky tomato sauce and buried under molten mozzarella. Easy, affordable, and kid-approved comfort food magic

Ingredients

✅ 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (1.5 lbs)
✅ 2 tbsp olive oil
✅ Salt & black pepper
✅ 3 garlic cloves, minced
✅ 1 can (14.5 oz) crushed tomatoes
✅ 1 tsp dried oregano
✅ ½ tsp dried basil
✅ Pinch red pepper flakes (optional)
✅ 1.5 cups shredded mozzarella (6 oz)
✅ ¼ cup grated Parmesan
✅ 2 tbsp fresh basil, chopped

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Instructions

Prep: Preheat oven to 400°F. Pound chicken to ½” thickness. Season with salt/pepper.
Sear: Heat oil in oven-safe skillet. Sear chicken 3-4 mins per side until golden. Remove.
Sauce: Sauté garlic 30 sec. Add tomatoes, oregano, basil, pepper flakes. Simmer 2 mins.
Assemble: Nestle chicken in sauce. Top with mozzarella + Parmesan.
Bake: 12-15 mins at 400°F until cheese bubbles and chicken hits 165°F.
Finish: Sprinkle fresh basil. Rest 3 mins. Cue cheese pull!

Notes

🔥 Pro Tips:
• Pound chicken evenly for perfect cooking!
• Use low-moisture mozzarella (no fresh!) for meltier cheese.
• Fresh basil post-bake = flavor explosion!
• Swap chicken thighs: bake 15-18 mins.
• No crushed tomatoes? Pulse diced ones!

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Baking
Cuisine: Italian-American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 chicken breast + sauce
Calories: 420
Sugar: 5g
Sodium: 720mg
Fat: 22g
Saturated Fat: 8g
Unsaturated Fat: 12g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 9g
Fiber: 2g
Protein: 45g
Cholesterol: 135mg