Italian Style Chicken (Printable Version)

Tender chicken in tomato herb sauce with melted mozzarella and fresh basil.

# What You'll Need:

→ Poultry

01 - 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (approximately 1.3 lbs)

→ Vegetables

02 - 1 medium onion, finely chopped
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 1 red bell pepper, sliced
05 - 14 oz canned diced tomatoes

→ Dairy

06 - 4 oz mozzarella cheese, sliced or shredded

→ Pantry

07 - 2 tbsp olive oil
08 - 1 tsp dried oregano
09 - 1 tsp dried basil
10 - 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
11 - Salt and black pepper, to taste

→ Fresh Herbs

12 - Fresh basil leaves, for garnish

# How to Make It:

01 - Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels. Generously season both sides with salt and black pepper.
02 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Place chicken breasts in the hot pan and sear for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown. Remove chicken from skillet and set aside on a plate.
03 - In the same skillet, add the chopped onion. Sauté for 2 minutes until softened and translucent. Add minced garlic and sliced bell pepper; cook for another 2 minutes, stirring frequently to prevent burning.
04 - Pour in the diced tomatoes along with their juices. Add dried oregano, dried basil, and red pepper flakes if using. Stir well to combine and let the mixture simmer for 5 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
05 - Return the chicken breasts to the skillet, nestling them into the tomato sauce. Cover with a lid and reduce heat to low. Simmer for 15-20 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
06 - Top each chicken breast with mozzarella cheese slices or shredded cheese. Cover the skillet again and cook for 2-3 minutes until the cheese is completely melted and bubbly.
07 - Remove from heat. Garnish generously with fresh basil leaves. Serve immediately while hot, accompanied by pasta, rice, or crusty bread to soak up the sauce.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The sauce creates itself while the chicken simmers, meaning less active cooking time and more flavor development
  • That moment when you lift the lid and the cheese has melted into a golden blanket over the chicken is worth every minute of waiting
02 -
  • Don't rush the initial searing, that brown exterior creates flavor that you cannot replicate later in the cooking process
  • Let the chicken rest for a few minutes after cooking so the juices redistribute throughout the meat
03 -
  • Use a skillet that you can serve from, fewer dishes and better presentation
  • Low and slow simmering is what transforms good ingredients into great food

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