This Chicken Mozzarella Skillet is a delicious, one-pan dish featuring tender chicken cutlets that are perfectly seared and then nestled into a rich, creamy tomato basil sauce. Each chicken breast is topped with fresh buffalo mozzarella and then broiled until the cheese is melted and bubbly. The result? A flavor-packed dish that’s sure to impress! Serve it with pasta, garlic bread, or a fresh green salad for an elegant meal that’s surprisingly easy to prepare.
I love making this dish when I want something that looks and tastes special but doesn’t require a lot of fuss. The creamy tomato sauce is infused with garlic and Italian herbs, making it the perfect complement to the juicy chicken and melted mozzarella. Plus, everything comes together in one skillet, which means minimal clean-up. Ready to wow your family or guests with a simple yet stunning meal? Let’s get started!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- One-Pan Meal: Everything cooks in a single skillet, making clean-up a breeze and keeping all the flavors in one dish.
- Rich, Creamy Sauce: The creamy tomato basil sauce is infused with garlic and Parmesan, adding layers of flavor that elevate the dish.
- Melted Mozzarella Topping: Fresh mozzarella melts beautifully over the chicken, creating a gooey, cheesy topping that’s irresistible.
- Easy Yet Impressive: Perfect for a family dinner or date night, this dish is elegant enough for entertaining but simple enough for weeknights.
Key Ingredients
For the Chicken:
- Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts: Cut or pounded into thin cutlets for quick and even cooking.
- Garlic Powder: Adds a hint of savory flavor to the chicken.
- Salt & Pepper: Essential for seasoning and bringing out the natural flavors.
- Olive Oil: Used for searing the chicken, giving it a nice golden-brown crust.
- Buffalo Mozzarella: Fresh buffalo mozzarella melts beautifully and adds a creamy, mild flavor that complements the tomato sauce.
For the Sauce:
- Garlic: Adds bold, aromatic flavor to the sauce.
- Crushed Tomatoes: Forms the base of the sauce, adding a robust, tangy flavor.
- Italian Seasoning: A blend of dried herbs that infuses the sauce with classic Italian flavors.
- Heavy Cream: Creates a creamy, velvety texture and balances the acidity of the tomatoes.
- Parmesan Cheese: Adds a salty, nutty depth to the sauce.
- Fresh Basil: Chopped and stirred into the sauce for a burst of freshness.
Complete list of ingredients with quantities and instructions is located in the recipe card below
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How to Make Chicken Mozzarella Skillet
1. Prepare and Sear the Chicken
Start by seasoning the 2 lbs of boneless, skinless chicken breasts (cut into thin cutlets) with ½ teaspoon of garlic powder, ½ teaspoon of salt, and ½ teaspoon of pepper on both sides.
Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large, oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot and shimmering, add the chicken cutlets to the skillet. Sear the chicken for about 3-4 minutes per side, or until a golden-brown crust forms. The chicken doesn’t need to be fully cooked through at this stage, as it will finish cooking in the sauce.
Transfer the seared chicken to a plate and set aside.
Pro Tip: Don’t overcrowd the skillet—if needed, sear the chicken in batches to ensure an even, golden crust.
2. Make the Creamy Tomato Basil Sauce
In the same skillet, reduce the heat to medium and add 4 cloves of garlic, pressed. Sauté for about 1 minute, stirring constantly to prevent burning, until fragrant.
Add 1 can of crushed tomatoes (28 oz), 1 tablespoon of dried Italian seasoning, and ½ teaspoon of salt to the skillet. Stir to combine, then bring the mixture to a simmer.
Once the sauce is simmering, stir in ½ cup of heavy cream and ¼ cup of grated Parmesan cheese. Continue to cook for about 5 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken slightly and the flavors to meld together.
Pro Tip: If you prefer a thicker sauce, let it simmer uncovered for a few more minutes, stirring occasionally. For a thinner sauce, add a splash of chicken broth or water.
3. Return the Chicken to the Skillet
Nestle the seared chicken cutlets back into the skillet, ensuring each piece is submerged in the sauce. Spoon some of the sauce over the chicken to coat it on both sides.
Cover the skillet partially and let the chicken simmer in the sauce for about 10 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
4. Add the Mozzarella and Broil
Once the chicken is cooked, top each cutlet with a slice of fresh buffalo mozzarella. Transfer the skillet to the oven and broil on high for about 2-3 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly browned.
Pro Tip: Keep a close eye on the dish while broiling, as cheese can go from melted to burnt very quickly!
5. Garnish and Serve
Remove the skillet from the oven and let the dish rest for a few minutes before serving. Sprinkle the dish with ⅓ cup of chopped fresh basil for a burst of freshness and vibrant color.
Serve the Chicken Mozzarella Skillet hot, with the creamy tomato basil sauce spooned over the top. Pair it with pasta, garlic bread, or a fresh green salad for a complete meal that’s sure to impress!
Tips for Success
- Pound the Chicken Evenly: If using whole chicken breasts, pound them to an even thickness for faster and more even cooking.
- Don’t Overcrowd the Skillet: Sear the chicken in batches if needed to achieve a nice, golden-brown crust on each piece.
- Adjust Sauce Consistency: If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of chicken broth or water. If it’s too thin, let it simmer uncovered for a few extra minutes.
Serving Suggestions
This Chicken Mozzarella Skillet pairs wonderfully with a variety of sides. Here are some ideas to complete your meal:
- Pasta: Serve over fettuccine, spaghetti, or penne for a comforting Italian-inspired dinner.
- Garlic Bread: Enjoy with a side of warm garlic bread or dinner rolls to mop up the creamy sauce.
- Green Salad: Pair with a crisp green salad dressed with balsamic vinaigrette for a light, refreshing contrast.
- Roasted Vegetables: Serve with roasted or steamed vegetables like asparagus, green beans, or broccoli for added color and nutrition.
Storage and Reheating Tips
- Refrigeration: Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Freezing: This dish can be frozen, but the texture of the cream sauce may change slightly. To freeze, let the dish cool completely, then transfer to a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
- Reheating: Reheat gently in a skillet over medium heat until warmed through, adding a splash of cream or chicken broth if needed to loosen up the sauce. Alternatively, reheat individual portions in the microwave.
Variations and Modifications
- Make it Spicy: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce for a little heat.
- Vegetarian Option: Substitute the chicken with thick slices of eggplant or portobello mushrooms for a vegetarian version.
- Cheese Swap: Use shredded mozzarella, fontina, or gouda in place of buffalo mozzarella for a different cheesy twist.
- Tomato-Basil Chicken Pasta: Turn it into a pasta dish by stirring cooked pasta into the sauce before adding the chicken.
Final Thoughts
This Chicken Mozzarella Skillet is a delightful blend of juicy chicken, creamy tomato basil sauce, and melty mozzarella cheese. It’s a dish that’s both comforting and elegant, perfect for a special dinner or an easy weeknight meal. With each bite, you’ll enjoy tender chicken paired with a rich, flavorful sauce that’s sure to impress your family and guests.
Enjoy every cheesy, saucy bite! 🍗🍅🧀
Chicken Mozzarella Skillet
Ingredients
- 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts cut or pounded to thin cutlets
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder for seasoning the chicken
- 1/2 tsp salt for seasoning the chicken
- 1/2 tsp pepper for seasoning the chicken
- 1 tbsp olive oil for searing the chicken
- 4 oz buffalo mozzarella sliced
- 4 cloves garlic pressed, for the sauce
- 1 can crushed tomatoes 28 oz
- 1 tbsp Italian seasoning dried
- 1/2 tsp salt for the sauce
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/3 cup fresh basil chopped
Instructions
- Season 2 lbs of boneless, skinless chicken breasts with ½ teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon salt, and ½ teaspoon pepper on both sides. Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large, oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat.
- Place the chicken breasts in a single layer in the skillet. Sear for 3-4 minutes per side, or until a golden-brown crust forms. The chicken may not be fully cooked through. Remove from the skillet and set aside on a plate.
- Reduce heat to medium and add 4 cloves of pressed garlic. Sauté for about 30 seconds, stirring constantly, until fragrant.
- Pour in 1 can of crushed tomatoes and add 1 tablespoon of Italian seasoning and ½ teaspoon of salt. Stir to combine, scraping up any browned bits from the skillet. Let the sauce simmer for about 5 minutes.
- Reduce heat to low and stir in ½ cup of heavy cream and ¼ cup of grated Parmesan cheese. Continue to cook for another 2-3 minutes until the sauce is smooth and creamy. Stir in ⅓ cup of chopped fresh basil.
- Nestle the seared chicken breasts back into the skillet, making sure they’re coated with the sauce. Spoon some sauce over each piece. Partially cover and let the chicken simmer in the sauce for 5-7 minutes, or until cooked through (165°F/74°C).
- Preheat your oven’s broiler. Top each chicken breast with a slice of buffalo mozzarella. Transfer the skillet to the oven and broil for 3-5 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Remove the skillet from the oven and let the dish rest for a few minutes. Garnish with extra chopped fresh basil. Serve hot, spooning the creamy tomato basil sauce over each piece of chicken.