Description
Chicken meets mozzarella in this simple weeknight dinner that comes together faster than your favorite takeout order. Melted cheese blankets tender chicken, creating a satisfying meal that makes dinnertime deliciously stress-free.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Proteins:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Cheese:
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Seasonings and Sauce:
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Optional Garnish:
- Fresh basil leaves
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with 1 teaspoon olive oil to prevent sticking.
- Use paper towels to thoroughly dry 4 chicken breasts. Coat each breast with ½ teaspoon olive oil.
- Blend 1 teaspoon each of garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, and ½ teaspoon paprika. Sprinkle this seasoning mixture evenly over both sides of your chicken breasts.
- Heat a skillet to medium-high temperature. Sear chicken breasts for exactly 2-3 minutes per side until golden brown edges appear.
- Transfer seared chicken to the prepared baking dish. Pour 2 cups marinara sauce directly over the chicken, ensuring complete coverage.
- Distribute 2 cups shredded mozzarella and ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese across the chicken, creating a generous cheese layer.
- Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 25-30 minutes until your chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- Remove from oven and let rest for 3-4 minutes. Garnish with torn fresh basil leaves before serving.
Notes
- Grate fresh mozzarella instead of using pre-shredded cheese for a more melty, authentic texture that coats the chicken beautifully.
- Pat chicken breasts completely dry before seasoning to help create a crisp exterior and prevent excess moisture during baking.
- For a lower-carb version, replace breadcrumbs with almond flour or crushed pork rinds to maintain a crunchy topping.
- Choose thick-cut chicken breasts to prevent drying out and ensure a juicy result that stays tender throughout baking.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Baked
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 477 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 720 mg
- Fat: 27 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 10 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 49 g
- Cholesterol: 115 mg