Description
Succulent garlic tomato chicken with mozzarella delivers Mediterranean comfort on a plate. Herbs, melted cheese, and juicy chicken combine for a simple yet delightful meal you’ll savor with each delectable bite.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 chicken fillets
- 1 tsp (5 g) salt
- 1 tsp (5 g) salt
- 2 tbsps (30 g) tomato paste
- 2 mozzarella balls, chopped
- 3 tbsps chopped basil leaves
- 3 tbsps grated Parmesan
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- ½ cup (120 ml) chicken broth
- ¼ cup (60 ml) white wine (like Pinot Grigio)
- 1 can (14 oz/400 g) cherry tomatoes or crushed tomatoes
- 1 shallot, finely chopped
- 1 tbsp (15 g) unsalted butter
- 1 tbsp (15 ml) olive oil
- Black pepper, to taste
- Crushed red pepper flakes, for sprinkling
- Dried basil, to taste
- Garlic powder, to taste
- Sweet paprika, to taste
Instructions
- Seasoning: Coat chicken fillets comprehensively with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika across all surfaces for maximum flavor infusion.
- Searing: Warm oil and butter in an ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat, creating a caramelization-friendly surface; cook chicken fillets for approximately 5 minutes per side until achieving a rich, golden-brown exterior, then set aside loosely tented with foil.
- Aromatic Base: In the same skillet, sauté minced garlic and shallots until translucent, releasing their fragrant essence; deglaze with wine, incorporating tomato paste and complementary seasonings while stirring to develop a concentrated flavor profile.
- Sauce Development: Introduce broth and diced tomatoes, allowing the mixture to simmer and reduce, creating a robust sauce that harmoniously melds all ingredients; return chicken to the skillet, immersing the pieces to absorb maximum flavor intensity.
- Finishing Touch: Embellish the dish with fresh basil leaves, cubed mozzarella, cracked black pepper, red pepper flakes, and grated Parmesan cheese; allow to simmer on stovetop for 5 minutes or transfer to a preheated 200°C/400°F oven for 10 minutes until cheese melts and turns golden.
- Serving: Remove from heat and let chicken rest briefly, enabling flavors to integrate and cheese to set slightly before presenting the final, flavor-packed dish.
Notes
- Seasoning Strategy: Coat chicken evenly with spices for deep, consistent flavor penetration throughout the meat.
- Searing Technique: Use high heat and combination of oil and butter to create caramelized golden exterior that locks in chicken’s moisture.
- Sauce Development: Deglaze skillet with wine and build layers of flavor through gradual addition of herbs, tomato paste, and broth for rich, complex sauce.
- Cheese Melting Tip: Let cheese brown slightly under broiler or high oven heat for crispy, golden top and enhanced flavor profile.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 34 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg