Description
Rustic chicken mozzarella skillet combines tender chicken with melted cheese in a one-pan marvel. Italian-inspired ingredients create a quick, satisfying meal perfect for busy weeknights when you crave comforting flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 lbs (0.9 kg) chicken breasts (boneless, skinless, cut or pounded to thin cutlets)
- 4 oz (113 g) buffalo mozzarella (sliced)
- 28 oz (794 g) crushed tomatoes (canned)
- ½ cup heavy cream
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 4 cloves garlic (pressed)
- 1 tbsp Italian seasoning (dried)
- 1 tbsp olive oil (for searing the chicken)
- ¼ cup fresh basil (chopped)
- ¼ tsp garlic powder (for seasoning the chicken)
- ¼ tsp salt (for seasoning the chicken)
- ¼ tsp pepper (for seasoning the chicken)
- ¼ tsp salt (for the sauce)
Instructions
- Seasoning Preparation: Thoroughly coat chicken breasts with garlic powder, salt, and pepper, ensuring complete coverage on both sides.
- Searing Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Arrange chicken in a single layer, searing each side for 3-4 minutes until achieving a rich golden-brown crust. Transfer chicken to a temporary plate.
- Aromatics Development: Reduce heat to medium, introduce minced garlic, and sauté for 30 seconds until releasing a fragrant aroma.
- Sauce Creation: Pour crushed tomatoes into the skillet, integrating Italian seasoning and salt. Deglaze the pan by scraping caramelized bits, creating a robust flavor foundation.
- Creamy Enhancement: Incorporate heavy cream and Parmesan cheese, whisking until the sauce transforms into a smooth, luxurious consistency. Fold in freshly chopped basil and simmer briefly.
- Final Cooking Process: Return chicken to the skillet, coating each piece generously with sauce. Partially cover and simmer for 5-7 minutes, ensuring chicken reaches a safe internal temperature of 165°F.
- Cheese Topping Finale: Activate broiler, strategically place buffalo mozzarella slices atop chicken. Transfer skillet to oven and broil for 3-5 minutes until cheese melts and develops a golden hue.
- Resting Stage: Remove from oven and allow dish to rest momentarily, permitting flavors to harmonize before serving.
Notes
- Sear with Confidence: Create a golden-brown crust by ensuring skillet is hot and chicken is dry before cooking, which locks in juices and develops rich flavor.
- Sauce Consistency Matters: Simmer sauce slowly to blend flavors and thicken naturally, preventing watery texture and ensuring creamy, rich coating.
- Temperature Precision: Use meat thermometer to confirm chicken reaches exactly 165°F, guaranteeing safe and perfectly juicy results every time.
- Broiler Watching: Monitor mozzarella closely during final 3-5 minutes to prevent burning, aiming for golden-brown melted cheese without scorching.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American-Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 680 mg
- Fat: 36 g
- Saturated Fat: 17 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 12 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 43 g
- Cholesterol: 150 mg