Easy Mozzarella Baked Chicken has just a few simple ingredients but BIG flavor! It’s warm and cheesy, requires just 6 ingredients and is ready in 25 minutes, making it perfect for a quick dinner everyone will love!
I am surprisingly happy to see a new week, given that we lost an hour of sleep over the weekend for daylight savings time.
Maybe it was the low-key weekend we had, or the fun movie night, or the afternoon visit with my parents, or the free time I took for myself yesterday to get some work done... or the date night I have with my dad tomorrow night!
And despite the fun outlook, it's also going to be a busy week.
So today’s easy mozzarella baked chicken recipe is perfect when you want something that’s simple but scrumptious.
Cause quick + easy doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice flavor, right?
And this melty, cheesy chicken is sure to satisfy kids and adults alike, making it perfect for a fuss-free family dinner on a busy weeknight!
Besides perhaps the fresh mozzarella (and you can see my cheat note about that below), this is all basic ingredients you probably already have on hand!
So those nights when you don’t know what to do or what to make for dinner? (Yup, I have plenty of those, too.)
Make this. It likely will make it into your regular rotation, it's so simple and so tasty!
(You might also want to try this easy strawberry balsamic chicken with mozzarella for a little twist.)
OK, let's get cooking so you can enjoy this dish as well.
Now, I’ve got some notes and tips coming up below on how to make mozzarella baked chicken. Just tryin’ to be helpful.
If you want to jump on down to the recipe, simply scroll right on through the rest of the text. The recipe card is near the bottom of the page, above the comments section.
Recipe Notes:
- Cook time: The cooking time will depend on the thickness of your chicken breasts. You’ll want 4 that are a similar size so they cook evenly. If yours seem thick, you can pound them out between wax paper to make sure they are a good, even size for cooking.
- Also, I always recommend using a meat thermometer to ensure your chicken is cooked through! I love this instant read one and you’ll want the chicken to be at 165.
- Mushroom lover? Me too. Feel free to add 8 oz. of sliced mushrooms to the pan with the onion, until they are cooked down and have released their juices, then continue with the recipe.
- Tomato sauce: My recipe doesn’t have a tomato sauce but if that’s what you’re looking for, you can add a small can of diced tomatoes (or crushed tomatoes) to the pan after you’ve browned the chicken to warm through and cook with it.
- Mozzarella: Fresh mozzarella really is best here, but I won’t tell if you want to top the chicken with some sliced or shredded mozzarella. It won’t be quite as flavorful but still delicious.
As for serving, there are lots of easy options to help you round out this meal.
Serving Ideas
-Serve this mozzarella chicken with mashed potatoes (drizzle some of the pan sauce over those too, as seen below)
-Or serve with brown or white rice. You could even do cauliflower rice or spaghetti squash for a low-carb option.
-Or serve it with some creamy polenta. Or just some crusty bread. Anything to help mop up that yummy pan sauce. (I would drink it with a spoon if that weren't frowned upon.)
-Add your favorite steamed or roasted veggie - such as broccoli, green beans, asparagus - as a veggie side. Or make a simple side salad.
It's very versatile, so there are lots of options to make this dinner work for you!
Last thing, what to do with any leftovers.
Leftover mozzarella baked chicken can be stored, in a covered container, in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days.
Slice the chicken before reheating in the microwave or stove top, so it reheats more quickly and evenly without drying out. It also helps to save and reheat the chicken with the pan sauce.
I hope you give this a try for a new easy dinner-time favorite!
Enjoy!
XO,
Kathryn
P.S. Love quick and easy chicken dinners? (Who doesn’t?!)
Easy cream cheese chicken, Italian chicken skillet with pesto and 20-minute chicken paprikash are other fast, delicious favorites your family might love.
And be sure to check out my collection of easy chicken dinner recipes and chicken recipes in under 30 minutes for more inspiration.
Easy Mozzarella Baked Chicken
Ingredients
- 2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
- ¾ cup chopped onion
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 6-oz. boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Salt and pepper
- 4 slices fresh mozzarella, about ¼-inch thick
- ¼ cup low-sodium chicken broth
- ¼ cup marsala wine
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add onions and sauté for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add garlic and sauté for another 30 seconds.
- Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper on both sides and add to pan. (I just move the onions and garlic to the side of the pan.)
- Sear chicken breasts on each side for 3-4 minutes, until well browned.
- Add a slice of mozzarella to the top of each chicken breast. Add broth and marsala to pan. Cover the pan with a lid.
- Transfer the skillet to the oven and bake for 8-12 minutes, until chicken is cooked through.
- Serve hot with extra sauce spooned over each chicken breast.
Kristen Chidsey
Oh have fun with your Dad tomorrow!
Also, yum! This chicken is going on my meal plan this week cause like you said--busy week 😉
Kathryn
Thanks friend!! I hope you love this for an easy dinner! 🙂
aliyah
Can you do chicken thighs instead for this recipe?
Kathryn Doherty
You sure could! Just make sure you keep an eye on them and get them cooked through (the cook time might be a little different). Would love to know if you try it!
Sam
I cooked your baked mozzarella chicken last night
I added mushrooms
It was yummy
Thanks for posting your recipes
How do I help you get more advertising???
You provide a number of timely and delicious ideas
Kathryn
I'm so happy to hear you loved it!
Megan @ MegUnprocessed
Quick meals are the best meals, right?!
Kathryn
Absolutely!
Toni | Boulder Locavore
This will be a sure hit for busy nights!
Kathryn
I hope you love it!
Shelby
The recipe calls for Marsala wine, but if I am unable to find it what would you recommend as a substitution?
Kathryn Doherty
Some good substitutes for Marsala wine are a dry Madeira wine, dark sherry, port or red vermouth. I’m less likely to have those than Marsala wine though, so for this recipe you could also substitute some extra broth and a couple tablespoons of balsamic vinegar for the sauce. It won’t have the same flavor but I bet it would still taste great. Would love to hear if you try it!
Karen Weikel
Asked for a chk drumstick recipe and this came up so can i use chk drum. Instead w/ " easy mozz. Baked chk
Kathryn Doherty
Hi Karen! Not sure why you got directed here for drumsticks, and I don't think they'd work as a substitute for this recipe. I'd recommend baking them with some BBQ sauce - that's our favorite way to enjoy them. (I don't have a recipe on my site, but you could search in Google or Pinterest for BBQ baked chicken drumsticks if that's of interest.)
Pat
This recipe sounds delicious but can’t find marsala wine.Very upsetting. I guess I won’t be making it after all
Kathryn Doherty
Hi Pat! All major grocery stores would have marsala wine. It's usually in the aisle with vinegars (NOT in the wine aisle). It's also available for purchase through Amazon. This is the brand I see most often: https://amzn.to/3cXN6Qr Hope that helps!