Mozzarella Chicken Skillet with Tomato Basil Cream Recipe

Introduction

This Mozzarella Chicken Skillet is a delightful one-pan meal featuring tender chicken breasts simmered in a creamy tomato sauce, topped with melted buffalo mozzarella. It’s perfect for a cozy dinner that’s both comforting and full of flavor.

Ingredients

• 2 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts (cut or pounded to thin cutlets)
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp salt (plus additional for sauce)
• 1/2 tsp pepper
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 4 oz buffalo mozzarella (sliced)
• 4 cloves garlic (pressed)
• 28 oz crushed tomatoes (1 can)
• 1 tbsp Italian seasoning (dried)
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1/4 cup parmesan cheese
• 1/3 cup fresh basil (chopped)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Mix garlic powder, 1/2 tsp salt, and pepper together. Season both sides of each chicken breast evenly with the mixture.
2. Step 2: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add chicken breasts in a single layer. If necessary, cook in batches to avoid crowding.
3. Step 3: Cook chicken for 3-4 minutes per side until nicely browned. Remove chicken from the skillet and set aside.
4. Step 4: Add pressed garlic to the skillet and stir for 30 seconds until fragrant. Pour in crushed tomatoes and sprinkle Italian seasoning. Reduce heat to medium and simmer for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally and scraping the pan to loosen browned bits.
5. Step 5: Stir in parmesan cheese and heavy cream until combined. Add chopped fresh basil, then return chicken to the skillet, coating it with sauce. Simmer for another 3-5 minutes until heated through.
6. Step 6: Place a slice of buffalo mozzarella on each chicken breast. Broil in the oven for 3-5 minutes or until cheese is melted, bubbly, and slightly browned.
7. Step 7: Garnish with additional fresh basil and serve hot. This dish pairs wonderfully with pasta or roasted vegetables.

Tips & Variations

• For a spicier kick, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce along with the Italian seasoning.
• Substitute buffalo mozzarella with fresh mozzarella or provolone if preferred.
• Pound chicken breasts evenly to ensure they cook uniformly and stay tender.
• If you don’t have fresh basil, substitute with 1 tsp dried basil added during the simmering step.

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop over low heat or in the microwave until warmed through. Avoid overheating to keep the chicken moist and cheese creamy.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?

Yes, boneless, skinless chicken thighs can be used. They will add more richness but may require slightly longer cooking time.

Is it necessary to broil the cheese on top?

Broiling gives the mozzarella a bubbly, golden finish, but you can also cover the skillet with a lid and let the cheese melt gently if you prefer to avoid the broiler.

Mozzarella Chicken Skillet with Tomato Basil Cream Recipe

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A flavorful Mozzarella Chicken Skillet featuring tender chicken breasts cooked in a rich garlic tomato cream sauce, topped with melted buffalo mozzarella and fresh basil. This one-pan meal combines Italian seasonings and creamy cheese for a comforting and delicious dinner served best over pasta or roasted vegetables.

• Author: Ella
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: Italian

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Chicken

• 2 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts (cut or pounded to thin cutlets)
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp pepper
• 1 tbsp olive oil

Sauce

• 4 cloves garlic (pressed)
• 28 oz crushed tomatoes (1 can)
• 1 tbsp Italian seasoning (dried)
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1/4 cup parmesan cheese
• 1/3 cup fresh basil (chopped)

Topping

• 4 oz buffalo mozzarella (sliced)

Instructions

1. Season Chicken: Mix the garlic powder, salt, and pepper together and evenly season each side of the chicken breasts.
2. Heat Skillet and Cook Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, place the chicken breasts in a single layer. Cook in batches if needed to avoid crowding.
3. Brown Chicken: Cook chicken for 3-4 minutes on each side until golden brown. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
4. Sauté Garlic and Simmer Sauce: Add pressed garlic to the skillet and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant. Pour in crushed tomatoes, add Italian seasoning, reduce heat to medium, and simmer for 5 minutes, stirring and scraping the skillet to loosen browned bits.
5. Finish Sauce and Return Chicken: Stir in parmesan cheese and heavy cream to the tomato mixture. Add chopped fresh basil, then nestle the chicken back into the skillet, covering it with the sauce. Simmer for 3-5 minutes until heated through.
6. Broil with Mozzarella: Place a slice of buffalo mozzarella on each chicken breast. Transfer the skillet to the oven and broil for 3-5 minutes until the cheese melts and bubbles with slight browning.
7. Garnish and Serve: Garnish with extra fresh basil and serve the mozzarella chicken hot over cooked pasta or alongside roasted vegetables for a complete meal.

Notes

• Use thin cutlets or pound chicken breasts evenly for quicker and even cooking.
• Broiling time may vary depending on your oven; watch closely to avoid burning the cheese.
• Fresh basil adds brightness—feel free to add more as garnish.
• For a lighter option, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half, but the sauce will be less rich.
• Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stovetop or microwave.

Keywords: Mozzarella chicken skillet, Italian chicken skillet, creamy tomato chicken, easy chicken dinner, skillet chicken recipe