Learn how to make a delicious recipe for chicken with mozzarella cheese that is perfect to enjoy at home, or to take to a party. Recipe For Chicken With Mozzarella Cheese is an easy meal that anyone can cook and enjoy.
I love cooking and last weekend I tried something new. Chicken with mozzarella cheese . It was fabulous and my husband loved it! The chicken goes so well with the melted cheese on top of it, I will definitely be cooking this again. You should try it too!
Crispy Mozzarella Parmesan Crusted Chicken
Mozzarella Parmesan Crusted Chicken is juicy, flavorful, and has the perfect crispy topping and an incredible creamy cheesy filling. With a little bit of prep time to allow the chicken to marinate, it’s the perfect weeknight dinner!
My latest obsession is this homemade parmesan-crusted chicken. Pan-seared chicken is always so moist and tender. Then pairing it with the flavors of mozzarella, parmesan, and crunchy breadcrumbs, you just can’t go wrong.
Healthy baked cauliflower bites are made with just 3 ingredients and a few herbs and spices to make the perfect low-carb appetizer or snack.
You will need to let the chicken marinate because that’s the step that makes it turn out with a flavorful kick and gives you that satisfying juiciness. So, don’t skip that step because it’s super important.
What You’ll Need To Make Mozzarella Parmesan Crusted Chicken
- Chicken Breasts: Use good quality boneless skinless chicken breasts for best results. You could also use boneless, skinless chicken thighs if you would rather. They are both yummy!
- Italian Dressing: I love adding a little bit of Italian dressing to the marinade. It gives the chicken some extra zest.
- Worcestershire Sauce: Giving the chicken a high-quality flavor is easy when you drizzle in a little bit of Worcestershire.
- Seasonings: The combination of seasonings we use for this parmesan crusted chicken is Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder, salt, and pepper.
- Oil: One thing that I enjoy about this dish is that it’s versatile. You can use any kind of oil that you like. We use olive oil a lot!
For the creamy cheese topping:
- Mozzarella: Use some shredded mozzarella. You can buy it prepackaged or shred it yourself, whichever you prefer. It will turn out a little better when you shred it yourself.
- Parmesan: The real star of the show is the shredded parmesan. Its flavor is delightful!
- Ranch Dressing: Any ranch dressing will do! Use your favorite, and you can’t go wrong.
For the crispy crumb topping
- Panko Breadcrumbs: The chicken gets its extra crunchy goodness from the panko. Yum!
- Butter: You’ll need melted butter for the mozzarella parmesan-crusted chicken to turn out perfectly.
How To Make Parmesan Crusted Chicken
When you take that first warm and delightful bite, you will be hit with vibrant flavors, moist chicken, and crispy topping. The best part is how easy it is to make. Let’s get started.
Begin by combining the Italian dressing, Worcestershire, and spices in a large bowl. Whisk set aside. Take the chicken breast and pound them out until they are 1/2 in thick. Place them in the bowl with the marinade. Cover the bowl and put it in the refrigerator for 2 hours or all the way up to 24 hours.
When you’re ready to cook the chicken, heat the oil in a large non-stick pan using medium-high heat. Once hot, add the chicken breast cook for 6-7 minutes on each side or until it is cooked through.
During the time the chicken is cooking, add the mozzarella cheese, parmesan cheese, and ranch dressing to a bowl. Then combine the bread crumbs and butter.
Add the cheese to the top of the chicken evenly. Add the breadcrumb mixture on top of the chicken as well. Then place the chicken on a baking sheet in place in the oven to broil for 3 or 4 minutes. When the cheese is melted and the panko is crunchy it is done.
Storage
To store leftover mozzarella parmesan crusted chicken, you will need to keep it in an airtight container. Be sure not to add it to the container until it has cooled down properly. The chicken will last in the refrigerator for up to four days. To reheat, place in the microwave with a paper towel on top.
Italian Style Mozzarella Chicken
Mozzarella Chicken is a fabulous weeknight dinner, made up of a rich, made from scratch tomato-based sauce, linguine pasta and chicken all topped with melty cheese.
This dinner is DELICIOUS, people. Like, lick the plate, and grab a spoon and eat any leftover sauce from the skillet kind of delicious.
It’s all made from pretty basic ingredients, that you probably already have. Isn’t that how some of the greatest dinners are made? Using what you have, and winging it a little? That’s how it works at my house!
Usually, my basic tomato sauce is onion, garlic, tomatoes, with some fresh herbs (I usually use basil). However, I didn’t have any fresh basil, so I added some basil pesto to the sauce.
I have to tell you, I think this is THE key ingredient to it all. It brings such a fresh and complex flavor to an otherwise fairly simple sauce. It’s kind of divine, actually. Happiest accident, ever!
I make the sauce in the same skillet that I cook the mozzarella chicken in, scraping up all the yummy flavor and whisking it in with the sauce – it really does give the sauce an extra touch of flavor, and ties it in beautifully with the rest of the meal.
Why this recipe works:
- Easy to make – this is an easy chicken recipe perfect for keeping around when you need dinner, fast! It’s on the table in around 30 minutes.
- Uses pantry ingredients – nothing fancy, and there are plenty of ways to sub in what you have.
- Family friendly – trust me, make a double batch and take it for lunch the next day!
Ingredients
The full list of ingredients and quantities is found in the printable recipe card below.
Kylee’s Notes
How to make this recipe
Scroll for Recipe
The full list of ingredients, quantities and instructions can be found in the printable recipe card below.
Step 1: Cook the chicken
Heat olive oil in a large cast iron or other oven proof skillet, over medium high heat and season the chicken on both sides with salt and pepper.
Cook on both sides, 3-4 minutes per side until browned and fully cooked (cooking time will vary based on thickness of your chicken. Remove from skillet and keep warm.
(Meanwhile, boil some water to cook your pasta).
Step 2: Make the Sauce
Add the other 1 Tbs olive oil to the skillet, and heat. Add the onions, and cook until softened. Add the garlic and cook another minute.
Add the water and deglaze the skillet, scraping up the flavor from the bottom. The browned bits have amazing flavor, we want it ALL in the sauce!
Add the crushed tomatoes, pesto, Italian seasoning, salt and pepper to taste, and stir until fully combined.
Bring the sauce to a simmer, and allow to cook a further 10 minutes on low. (Now is a good time to cook your pasta).
Taste test the sauce and adjust seasoning if necessary.
Step 3: Add the chicken back into the sauce
Add the chicken back into the skillet, and submerge in the sauce.
Top with mozzarella cheese (use more or less, as to your own taste – I vote for more), and melt until the broiler until browned on top. Serve with cooked linguine.
Devour.
Kylee’s Notes
Season the chicken with some garlic powder and onion powder for an even bigger flavor boost
You can use a store bought marinara sauce if you wish, but DO add the basil pesto!
Add some red pepper flakes to the sauce if you like a kick!
If you don’t have an oven proof skillet, no worries! Just add your cooked chicken breasts to a baking dish, pour the sauce over the top and add your shredded mozzarella over the top, and broil.
You can use fresh mozzarella if you have it!
If you are looking for side dishes, go for a basic salad, or some roasted broccoli.
Chicken Temperature
Chicken should be cooked to 165 degrees F when tested with a digital thermometer in the thickest part.
EASY MOZZARELLA CHICKEN (30 MINUTE RECIPE)
Easy Mozzarella Chicken is an Italian chicken recipe bursting with big flavors. Italian spices, marinara sauce, gooey melted mozzarella cheese with tender, juicy chicken. It may be the fastest, most delicious dinner recipe you’ve made. On the table in just 30 minutes!
Italian food is always a favorite. It’s nourishing to the stomach and the senses.
Whether you are an Italian meatballs fan or love satisfying comfort foods like Zuppa Toscana Soup or Pasta e Fagioli, you’ll love this recipe too.
This easy baked Mozzarella Chicken is a winner. For the flavors and how easy and fast it is to make.
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GREAT WEEKNIGHT ITALIAN CHICKEN RECIPE
Bye bye boring weeknight dinner recipes thanks to this Mozzarella chicken!
Main dish recipes really don’t get easier than this one pan recipe.
Boneless chicken breasts are seasoned with classic spices of garlic, thyme, basil, oregano, sage, rosemary and marjoram.
This makes a fast way to pump up the flavors.
Marinara sauce is poured over the chicken and finished with mozzarella cheese. It all bakes in 25 minutes for a flavor-packed dish that all ages will love.
This is one of those gold-star recipes you’ll use when you want to impress or are too tired to do anything for dinner.
But no one will guess that it took you 5 minutes to prepare!
Recipes don’t need to be time consuming or difficult to be fantastic. This recipe proves that.
RECIPE INGREDIENTS NOTES
Boneless skinless Chicken breasts. Select chicken breasts that are similar size. The cooking time is based on an 8-10 ounce chicken breast size.
Olive oil. Will be brushed over the chicken before starting. Keeps it moist which cooking and adds more Mediterranean flavor.
Spices: garlic powder, Italian seasonings, black pepper. Italian Seasoning is an all-in-one spice blend available at all grocery stores. It’s a fast, easy way to work in all the classic Italian spices at once.
Marinara sauce. This variety of tomato sauce is made up of just a few choice ingredients. It differs from spaghetti sauce which usually has many more ingredients. Store bought or homemade tomato sauce can be used.
Mozzarella cheese. Buy a block of cheese and shred this yourself. The pre-shredded cheese that is bagged in the grocery store includes an anti-caking agent. It prevents cheese from melting into that gooey velvety texture we love.
VARIATIONS
Use boneless chicken thighs. Chicken thighs have loads of flavor being darker meat. Skinless chicken does not add extra fat to the recipe which we love.
The cooking time may need to be adjusted. Always check for doneness with an instant read thermometer.
Add some pesto. Homemade or store bought pesto are a delicious flavor switch up. Try regular basil pesto or sundried tomato pesto. Add with the marinara sauce.
Change up the spices. Add some red pepper flakes for some spicy heat. Or some smoked paprika for a smoky earthy flavor.
Use crushed tomatoes. If you love some texture use crushed tomatoes instead of the marinara sauce. Pick some that have Italian spices included for a shortcut and pop of more flavor.
Add some mushrooms. Stir a half cup of sliced mushrooms in with the sauce. Our favorite are Baby Bella mushrooms. These young portabella mushrooms have loads of meaty flavor.
Switch up the cheese. Though this is ‘mozzarella chicken’ you can change up the cheese for a different flavor. Try Parmesan or Pecorino Romano. These don’t melt in the same way so combining them with some mozzarella will give the best of both.
HOW TO MAKE IT – STEP-BY-STEP
STEP 1. Preparation
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Combine the spices together in a bowl and mix to combine.
STEP 2. Prepare the chicken
Add the chicken in a 9-inch by 11-inch baking pan. Brush both sides with the olive oil (photo 1).
Season the chicken with the spice mix on both sides (photo 2). Brush with the marinara sauce (photo 3) and top each chicken breast with the shredded mozzarella (photo 4).
STEP 3. Cook the chicken
Cook for 25 minutes or until the cheese is melted and the internal temperature of the chicken reaches almost 165 degrees F (photo 5).
The temperature will continue to rise slightly when removed from the oven. Final temperature should be 165 degrees.
PRO TIPS
Select chicken breasts that are the same size so they will cook evenly in the same amount of time.
Adjust cooking time per size of chicken breasts used. Larger chicken breasts may need to cook longer than 25 minutes. Very small chicken breasts may be done in 20 minutes.
Chicken is cooked when it reaches 165 degrees internal temperature. This is easiest to measure with an Instant Read food thermometer.
FAQS
How to tell if the chicken is cooked?
To determine if chicken is fully cooked measuring the internal temperature is required. Chicken is done when the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F. The best and fastest way to do this is using an Instant Read food thermometer. It calculates the temperature in minutes so the chicken doesn’t begin to cool as you take the temperature.
WHAT TO SERVE WITH MOZZARELLA CHICKEN
The chicken it’s a great choice to serve over pasta, rice or (my favorite) mashed potatoes. Be sure to spoon on some of the delicious pan sauce.