Make this Easy Chicken Mozzarella Bake Recipe for a simple and delicious meal in minutes. It's made with tender chicken breasts, melted mozzarella cheese, plus your favorite sauce. The perfect easy weeknight dinner the whole family will love.
If you're craving more tasty and delicious chicken recipes, then be sure to try making some Cast Iron Chicken Thighs, Cast Iron Chicken Breast, Hibachi Chicken, or a Chicken and Broccoli Casserole.
Who doesn't love a quick meal?
Especially during the work week when time is limited. That's when you need a meal in a hurry and I have just the right one for you. It includes chicken, cheese, and sauce. Seriously, what's there not to love about that combination of ingredients.
This cheesy chicken recipe is baked to perfection, made tender with the addition of your favorite pasta sauce, and topped with two different cheeses. Warm, comforting and so so delicious!
Let's get started!
What To Eat With Baked Chicken Mozzarella?
- Serve this baked recipe over your favorite pasta such as penne or spaghetti.
- Enjoy on its own for a low carb option.
- Serve it with a delicious salad on the side or with your favorite side dish.
- Pair it with some garlic rolls, crusty bread, or yeast rolls.
What Ingredients Do You Need For Mozzarella Chicken?
- Chicken Breast - The base of this easy chicken recipe! Use boneless skinless chicken breasts or boneless chicken thighs to serve as the first layer of the baked casserole. You can use thin chicken breasts or thicker chicken breasts. Just be sure to use a meat thermometer to make sure the chicken is done and internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F. Adjust the cooking time as needed.
- Salt - Seasons the chicken and adds flavor that prevents the chicken from tasting flat and bland. Use any brand that you prefer or have on hand in your kitchen.
- Ground Black Pepper - Adds spice and a slight amount of heat to the chicken. Try to use freshly ground black pepper for best results.
- Olive Oil - Needed to saute the chicken breast until it is golden brown on the outside, but not completely cooked on the inside. Avocado oil or vegetable oil could be used instead.
- Pasta Sauce - Any jar sauce or marinara sauce that you prefer from your local grocery store or homemade sauce will work. I prefer to use a jar sauce that is garlic flavored. The sauce will top the chicken and add amazing flavor and sauce for pasta.
- Parmesan Cheese - Try to use freshly grated parmesan cheese to add savory flavor and a slight amount of saltiness.
- Mozzarella Cheese - The topping and cheesy element that perfectly finish off the chicken bake. Shred a block of mozzarella cheese using a box grater instead of using the bagged version as it melts so much better. Fresh mozzarella could be used instead, just break up larger mozzarella into smaller pieces and spread it out evenly over top of the Parmesan cheese.
See the recipe card below for exact ingredient quantities and instructions.
How To Make Chicken Mozzarella
Begin the chicken recipe by preheating the oven to 375 degrees F. Evenly season both sides of each chicken breast with salt and ground black pepper. Set aside.
Using a large skillet on the stovetop over medium-high heat, add the olive oil and allow it to warm thoroughly. To make this a one dish recipe, use an oven-safe skillet. Add the chicken and allow it to cook undisturbed for 3-4 minutes. Flip each piece of chicken to the other size and allow it to cook for another 2 minutes.
Turn off the heat, the chicken will not be fully cooked at this point and that is completely fine. Transfer the cooked chicken to a separate baking dish/casserole dish or leave it in the oven proof skillet.
Evenly top the chicken with the pasta sauce and use a spoon to spread it in an even layer over the chicken.
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Top the sauce evenly with the grated Parmesan cheese.
Place into the oven and allow it to bake for 15 minutes.
Carefully remove the baking dish or skillet from the oven and spread the shredded mozzarella cheese in an even layer. Return to the oven and continue baking for an additional 10 minutes until the cheese has melted and is bubbly.
If you prefer to have the top brown a little more, place under the broiler on high heat for a few minutes until the mozzarella cheese has lightly browned.
Carefully remove the chicken mozzarella bake from the oven and allow it to cool for about 5 to 10 minutes before serving. Pair it with your favorite pasta or enjoy it with some crusty bread. Enjoy!
Storage
If you have any leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for about 3 to 4 days. Reheating can be done in the microwave in a microwave-safe dish or in the oven at 300 degrees F. until warm.
Want More Chicken Dinner Recipes? Try These:
- Cast Iron Chicken Thighs with Potatoes and Carrots
- Chicken and Broccoli Casserole
- Hibachi Chicken
- Jerk Chicken Tacos
- Cheesy Chicken Enchilada Pasta
- BBQ Chicken Sliders
- Easy Homemade Chicken Pot Pie
Have any comments, questions, or other delicious ways to enjoy this Baked Chicken Mozzarella Recipe? Please share them in the comments below!
📖 Recipe
Chicken Mozzarella Bake Recipe
Video
Ingredients
- 1 ½ pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 25 ounces pasta sauce
- ½ cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Begin the chicken recipe by preheating the oven to 375 degrees F. Evenly season both sides of each 1 ½ pounds chicken breast with ½ teaspoon salt and ½ teaspoon ground black pepper. Set aside.
- Using a large skillet on the stovetop over medium-high heat, add the 2 tablespoons olive oil and allow it to warm thoroughly. To make this a one dish recipe, use an oven-safe skillet. Add the chicken and allow it to cook undisturbed for 3-4 minutes. Flip each piece of chicken to the other size and allow it to cook for another 2 minutes.
- Turn off the heat, the chicken will not be fully cooked at this point and that is completely fine. Transfer the cooked chicken to a separate baking dish/casserole dish or leave it in the oven proof skillet.
- Evenly top the chicken with the 25 ounces pasta sauce and use a spoon to spread it in an even layer over the chicken.
- Top the sauce evenly with the grated ½ cup Parmesan cheese.
- Place into the oven and allow it to bake for 15 minutes.
- Carefully remove the baking dish or skillet from the oven and spread the 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese in an even layer. Return to the oven and continue baking for an additional 10 minutes until the cheese has melted and is bubbly.
- If you prefer to have the top brown a little more, place under the broiler on high heat for a few minutes until the mozzarella cheese has lightly browned.
- Carefully remove the chicken mozzarella bake from the oven and allow it to cool for about 5 to 10 minutes before serving. Pair it with your favorite pasta or enjoy it with some crusty bread. Enjoy!
- Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator up to 3 days.
Notes
- Baking time may vary depending on size and thickness of chicken, please check with a meat thermometer to make sure it is done at 165 degrees F.
- If you prefer not to sear the chicken in the pan, add the raw chicken into the skillet with the sauce and parmesan. Add an additional time of at least 10 minutes to the baking time.
- Use your favorite jar sauce or a homemade version.
Original post date 05/20/2020. Updated 11/30/2023.
Dennis and Laura Zirbel says
Simple and delicious!
LaKita says
Thank you!!
Dennis T says
Awesome sauce !
LaKita says
Thank you Dennis!