Chicken Mozzarella Skillet

This Chicken Mozzarella Skillet is an easy, one-skillet dish with juicy chicken cutlets that get seared perfectly, then tucked into a velvety, creamy tomato basil sauce. Each breast is smeared with fresh buffalo mozzarella and then broiled until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

The result? This dish is packed with flavor and sure to impress! Pair it with pasta, garlic bread, or a simple green salad for an elegant dinner that’s deceptively easy to whip up.

This is one of my very favorite dishes to make when I want something that looks and tastes special but doesn’t take a lot of finessing. Infused with garlic and Italian herbs, the creamy tomato sauce is the ideal foil to the juicy chicken and melted mozzarella. Plus, it all comes together in one skillet, which means little clean-up.

Want to impress your family or guests with a low-key but gorgeous meal? Let’s get started!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• One-Pan Meal: Everything cooks in one skillet, so clean-up is easy and all the flavors stay in one dish.
• Rich, Creamy Sauce: Infused with garlic and Parmesan, the creamy tomato basil sauce adds depth and flavor to the dish.
• Oozing Mozzarella Topping: Sliced fresh mozzarella oozes and melts over the chicken, forming a gooey, cheesy topping that can’t be beat.
• Easy but Impressive: As good for a family dinner as for 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 fast, even cooking.
• Garlic Powder: Provides a mild flavor to the chicken.
• Salt & Pepper: Essential for seasoning and enhancing flavors.
• Olive Oil: For searing the chicken and getting that nice golden-brown crust.
• Buffalo Mozzarella: Fresh buffalo mozzarella melts wonderfully and adds a creamy, mild flavor that complements the tomato sauce.

For the Sauce:

• Garlic: Provides a strong, aromatic flavor to the sauce.
• Crushed Tomatoes: The foundation of the sauce, delivering a hearty, zesty flavor.
• Italian Seasoning: A mix of dried herbs that adds traditional Italian flavors.
• Heavy Cream: Adds a rich, silky texture and balances the acidity in the tomatoes.
• Parmesan Cheese: Imparts a salty, nutty depth to the sauce.
• Fresh Basil: Chopped and mixed into the sauce for a fresh pop.

For the full list of ingredients with quantities and instructions, please see the recipe card below.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Chicken Mozzarella Skillet

Step 1: Prepare and Sear the Chicken

1. Season 2 lbs of boneless, skinless chicken breasts (sliced into thin cutlets) with:
   • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
   • ½ teaspoon salt
   • ½ teaspoon pepper (on both sides)
2. Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large, oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat.
3. When the oil is hot and shimmery, add the chicken cutlets to the skillet.
   • Sear for 3–4 minutes on each side, until golden-brown and crusty.
   • The chicken doesn’t need to be fully cooked at this point—it will continue cooking in the sauce.
4. Remove the seared chicken to a plate and reserve.

💡 Pro Tip: Avoid overcrowding the skillet—if necessary, sear the chicken in batches for an even, golden crust.

Step 2: Prepare the Creamy Tomato Basil Sauce

1. In the same skillet, lower heat to medium and add:
   • 4 pressed garlic cloves
   • Cook for 1 minute, stirring so it doesn’t burn, until fragrant.
2. Stir in the following:
   • 1 can crushed tomatoes (28 oz)
   • 1 tablespoon dried Italian seasoning
   • ½ teaspoon salt
3. Simmer the mixture for 5 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.
4. Add:
   • ½ cup heavy cream
   • ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
5. Cook for another 5 minutes, until the sauce thickens slightly and the flavors combine.

💡 Pro Tip: For a thicker sauce, cook it uncovered for a few extra minutes, stirring occasionally.

• For a thinner sauce, stir in a little chicken broth or water.

Step 3: Add the Chicken Back to the Skillet

1. Nestle the seared chicken cutlets back into the skillet so the sauce covers each piece.
2. Spoon some sauce over the chicken to coat it on both sides.
3. Cover the skillet partially and simmer the chicken in the sauce for 10 minutes, or until it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).

Step 4: Add the Mozzarella and Broil

1. Once the chicken is cooked, top each cutlet with a slice of fresh buffalo mozzarella.
2. Place the skillet in the oven and broil on high until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly browned, about 2 to 3 minutes.

💡 Pro Tip: Watch the dish very closely under the broiler, as cheese can melt and burn quickly!

Step 5: Garnish and Serve

1. Remove the skillet from the oven and let the dish rest for a few minutes before serving.
2. Garnish with:
   • ⅓ cup chopped fresh basil for freshness and color.
3. Serve hot, topped with the creamy tomato basil sauce.

Serving Suggestions

• Pasta: Pair with fettuccine, spaghetti, or penne for a comforting Italian-inspired dinner.
• Garlic Bread: Serve with warm garlic bread or dinner rolls to soak up the rich sauce.
• Green Salad: A crisp green salad with balsamic vinaigrette adds a light, refreshing contrast.
• Roasted Vegetables: Try asparagus, green beans, or broccoli for added color and nutrition.

Storage and Reheating Tips

• Storage: Refrigerate any leftover portions in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
• Freezing: This dish can be frozen, though the texture of the cream sauce may alter slightly.
  • To freeze: Allow the dish to cool completely, then transfer to a freezer-friendly container and freeze for up to 3 months.
  • Defrost in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
• Reheating:
  • Gently reheat in a skillet over medium heat until warmed through.
  • Add a splash of cream or chicken broth if necessary to loosen the sauce.
  • Or microwave individual servings until warm.

Variations and Modifications

• Make It Spicy: Stir in a pinch of red pepper flakes for a little heat.
• Vegetarian Version: Swap out chicken for thick slices of eggplant or portobello mushrooms.
• Cheese Swap: Use shredded mozzarella, fontina, or gouda instead of buffalo mozzarella.
• Tomato-Basil Chicken Pasta: Stir cooked pasta into the sauce before adding the chicken for a creamy pasta dish.

Final Thoughts

This Chicken Mozzarella Skillet is comforting yet elegant, perfect for a special dinner or an easy weeknight meal. With every bite, you’ll savor tender chicken, rich tomato basil sauce, and gooey melted mozzarella.

Enjoy every cheesy, saucy bite!

Chicken Mozzarella Skillet

This Chicken Mozzarella Skillet features juicy chicken breasts seared to perfection and simmered in a creamy tomato basil sauce. Topped with melted mozzarella cheese, it's a flavorful and satisfying dish that pairs perfectly with pasta or crusty bread.

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Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 30 minutes mins

Total Time 45 minutes mins

Course Comfort Food, Family Dinner, Main Course, Weeknight Meal

Cuisine American, Italian

Servings 4 people

Calories 550 kcal

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• 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.

Notes

For added flavor, sprinkle crushed red pepper flakes or drizzle balsamic glaze over the finished dish before serving.

Nutrition

Calories: 550kcal

Keyword chicken mozzarella, creamy tomato sauce, easy dinner, one-pan meal, skillet chicken

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