Smothered Chicken Italiano
Indulge in the rich, comforting flavors of Smothered Chicken Italiano—a luscious one-skillet dish that marries tender, golden-seared chicken breasts with a robust tomato-basil sauce and molten layers of mozzarella cheese. This Italian-inspired recipe combines pantry staples like canned crushed tomatoes, Italian seasoning, and a touch of tomato paste to create a fragrant and savory base, enhanced with a subtle kick of red pepper flakes. Finished with a bubbly, oven-baked topping of mozzarella and grated parmesan, and garnished with fresh basil for a burst of freshness, this meal makes for a perfect weeknight dinner. Serve it alongside creamy pasta, crisp salad, or warm, crusty bread to soak up every last drop of sauce. With its easy preparation and gourmet flair, Smothered Chicken Italiano is destined to become your go-to comfort food favorite.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 4 pieces boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 14 ounces canned crushed tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 0.25 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
- 1.5 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 0.25 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped
- 0.25 cup parmesan cheese, grated
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
Season the chicken breasts with 1/2 teaspoon of salt and 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper on both sides.
In a large oven-safe skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Sear the chicken breasts for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown. Remove the chicken and set aside.
In the same skillet, reduce the heat to medium and add the chopped onion. Sauté for 3-4 minutes until softened.
Add the minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, sugar, and the remaining 1/2 teaspoon of salt and 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper. Simmer the sauce for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Return the seared chicken breasts to the skillet, nestling them into the sauce.
Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the chicken.
Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake for 20 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Remove from the oven and garnish with freshly chopped basil and grated parmesan cheese before serving.
Serve hot with your choice of pasta, crusty bread, or a side salad.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
2209 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 96.3 g | 123% | |
| Saturated Fat | 36.4 g | 182% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2.7 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 744 mg | 248% | |
| Sodium | 4796 mg | 209% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 55.6 g | 20% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 12.0 g | 43% | |
| Total Sugars | 32.6 g | ||
| Protein | 269.5 g | 539% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.2 mcg | 1% | |
| Calcium | 1731 mg | 133% | |
| Iron | 15.8 mg | 88% | |
| Potassium | 3901 mg | 83% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
