Garlic Tomato Chicken with Mozzarella Recipe
Garlic Tomato Chicken with Mozzarella is a flavorful and comforting dish featuring tender chicken fillets seasoned with aromatic spices, seared to perfection, and simmered in a rich tomato and garlic sauce. Topped with fresh mozzarella, basil, and Parmesan, this recipe offers a delightful blend of creamy and tangy flavors, perfect for a hearty weeknight dinner.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Seasoning
- 4 chicken fillets
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp sweet paprika
For Cooking
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 shallot, finely chopped
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- ¼ cup dry white wine (like Pinot Grigio)
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp dried basil
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- ½ cup chicken broth
- 1 can (14 oz/400 g) cherry tomatoes (or crushed tomatoes)
- 3 tbsp chopped basil leaves
Toppings
- 2 mozzarella balls, chopped into cubes
- 3 tbsp grated Parmesan
- Crushed red pepper flakes, for sprinkling
Instructions
- Prep: Mince the garlic, finely chop the shallot, and cut the mozzarella into cubes to prepare all ingredients before cooking.
- Season: Season the chicken fillets on both sides evenly with salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and sweet paprika to infuse flavor.
- Preheat: Preheat your oven to 200°C (400°F) if you plan to finish the dish in the oven for a golden crust on the cheese.
- Sear the Chicken: Heat olive oil and butter in a large ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken fillets and cook for about 5 minutes on each side until browned and fully cooked. Remove chicken and keep warm by covering with foil.
- Cook Aromatics: Using the same skillet, add minced garlic and chopped shallot. Sauté for about 2 minutes until fragrant.
- Deglaze: Pour in dry white wine to deglaze the pan, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom with a wooden spoon, and let it simmer for 2 minutes to reduce slightly.
- Add Sauce Ingredients: Stir in salt, black pepper, dried basil, and tomato paste. Cook while stirring constantly for 1 minute to enhance the flavors.
- Simmer Sauce: Pour in chicken broth, stir to combine, then add the canned cherry or crushed tomatoes. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes. Adjust salt as needed.
- Add Basil and Cheese: Chop fresh basil leaves and sprinkle them into the sauce. Nestle the seared chicken fillets back into the tomato mixture. Top with cubed mozzarella and sprinkle grated Parmesan and crushed red pepper flakes over the top.
- Finish Cooking: Let the dish simmer on the stovetop for 5 minutes until the mozzarella begins to melt and flavors meld. Alternatively, transfer the ovenproof skillet to the preheated oven and bake for 10 minutes until the cheese is golden and bubbly.
- Serve: Remove from heat and serve immediately for a delicious, comforting meal.
Notes
- You can substitute cherry tomatoes with canned crushed tomatoes for a smoother sauce.
- Using an ovenproof skillet allows you to finish the dish in the oven for a nicely browned cheese topping.
- Adjust crushed red pepper flakes according to your preferred spice level.
- Serve with crusty bread or over pasta to soak up the delicious sauce.
- To reduce cooking time, consider flattening chicken fillets evenly before seasoning.
Keywords: Garlic Tomato Chicken, Mozzarella Chicken, One-Pan Chicken Dinner, Italian Chicken Recipe, Chicken with Tomato Sauce
