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Melty Mozzarella Chicken Bake

Melty Mozzarella Chicken Bake

  • Author: Amelia
  • Total Time: 35 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x
  • Diet: Gluten Free

Description

The Melty Mozzarella Chicken Bake is a comforting, cheesy, and easy weeknight dish featuring juicy chicken breasts topped with layers of melty mozzarella cheese and savory marinara sauce. It’s quick to prepare, family-friendly, and versatile enough to customize with different sauces, spices, and vegetables while using minimal, simple ingredients for an impressive dinner.

Ingredients

Scale

Protein

  • 4 chicken breasts, tender and juicy

Cheese

  • 2 cups fresh or shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional)

Sauces & Oils

  • 1 cup marinara or tomato sauce
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil

Seasonings

  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Prepare the chicken: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly coat the chicken breasts with olive oil, then season both sides with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning to build a flavorful base.
  2. Sear the chicken: Heat a skillet over medium-high heat and quickly sear each breast for 2-3 minutes per side until golden. This step locks in juices and adds a lovely texture that shines through the bake.
  3. Assemble the bake: Transfer the seared chicken to a baking dish. Spoon marinara or your chosen tomato sauce evenly over each piece, then generously layer mozzarella cheese on top, ensuring the entire chicken is covered.
  4. Bake: Place the dish in the oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through and the cheese is bubbly and golden. If using Parmesan cheese, sprinkle it on for the last 5 minutes of baking.
  5. Rest and serve: Let the bake rest for 5 minutes after removing it from the oven, allowing juices to redistribute and the cheese to set slightly before slicing and serving.

Notes

  • Use fresh mozzarella for a creamier, better melt than pre-shredded cheese.
  • Don’t skip searing the chicken to keep it juicy and develop a flavorful crust.
  • Use room temperature chicken for even cooking and to prevent drying out.
  • If the cheese browns too quickly, loosely tent the dish with foil to avoid burning while baking through.
  • Let the bake rest after cooking to enhance texture and prevent hot cheese burns.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Italian-American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 chicken breast with toppings
  • Calories: 400
  • Sugar: 4g
  • Sodium: 550mg
  • Fat: 22g
  • Saturated Fat: 10g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 10g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 6g
  • Fiber: 1g
  • Protein: 40g
  • Cholesterol: 100mg

Keywords: mozzarella chicken bake, cheesy chicken recipe, easy chicken bake, weeknight chicken dinner, gluten free chicken recipe, family friendly chicken

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Find it online: https://savortrack.com/melty-mozzarella-chicken-bake/