Introduction & Inspiration

Sometimes you just need a comforting, cheesy, satisfying dinner that doesn’t require hours of effort, and this Chicken Mozzarella Bake fits the bill perfectly! It features tender chicken breasts, seasoned with classic Italian herbs and spices, topped with a simple yet flavorful homemade tomato sauce, and finished with a generous blanket of melted mozzarella cheese. It’s pure comfort food, made easy.

My inspiration for this recipe comes from the beloved flavors of dishes like Chicken Parmesan, but streamlined into a simple baked casserole format. I wanted to create a go-to weeknight meal that was family-friendly, used common pantry staples, and delivered big on familiar, satisfying taste.

This dish is perfect for those busy evenings when you want a hot, homemade meal without a lot of fuss. The flavors are classic, the preparation is straightforward, and the cheesy result is always a hit. It is a perfect dinner recipe.

Nostalgic Appeal / Comfort Factor

Baked chicken smothered in tomato sauce and melted cheese is peak comfort food for so many people. It evokes feelings of cozy family dinners, satisfying Italian-American restaurant favorites, and simple, hearty meals. The aroma of it baking is instantly welcoming.

This recipe taps directly into that comforting nostalgia. The familiar combination of tender chicken, bright tomato sauce, savory Italian seasonings, and gooey mozzarella cheese is universally appealing and deeply satisfying.

It’s a simple, unpretentious dish that delivers reliable comfort and flavor, making it a perfect addition to the regular dinner rotation. A perfect comfort food dish.

Homemade Focus (Simple Assembly & Sauce)

While incredibly easy, this Chicken Mozzarella Bake has key homemade elements that make it delicious. You’re seasoning the chicken yourself and, importantly, creating a quick, fresh-tasting tomato sauce from scratch using canned tomatoes combined with fresh onion, garlic, and oregano.

This simple homemade sauce, even though it starts with canned tomatoes, tastes significantly brighter and more flavorful than just pouring plain sauce from a jar over the chicken. The process of scoring the chicken and rubbing in the seasonings also adds a homemade touch that ensures flavor penetration.

It’s about elevating simple ingredients through easy homemade steps to create a satisfying and flavorful meal. It proves that homemade comfort food doesn’t need to be complicated. The homemade taste is incredible.

Flavor Goal

The primary flavor goal is a harmonious blend of savory, well-seasoned chicken, a bright and garlicky tomato sauce with herbaceous notes, and creamy, melty mozzarella cheese. The chicken should be tender and juicy, infused with the garlic, onion powder, and Italian seasoning.

The simple tomato sauce, made with chopped tomatoes, fresh onion and garlic, and oregano, should provide a vibrant, slightly chunky tomato base. The mozzarella topping should be generous, gooey, and lightly golden, providing that essential cheesy richness.

The overall experience should be comforting, savory, slightly tangy from the tomatoes, cheesy, and satisfying – classic Italian-American inspired flavors in an easy bake. A perfect balance between flavour and texture.

Ingredient Insights

Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts: The recipe recommends small, thin breasts or pounding them out. This ensures quick, even cooking and prevents dryness. Scoring the top helps seasonings penetrate.
Seasonings (Garlic Powder, Onion Powder, Italian Seasoning, Salt & Black Pepper): A classic blend to flavor the chicken directly.
Olive Oil: Used to drizzle over chicken, adding moisture and helping seasonings adhere.
Canned Chopped Tomatoes: The base of the quick sauce. Using chopped tomatoes provides some texture. Undrained is usually fine here.
Garlic (Minced) & Red Onion (Finely Chopped): Fresh aromatics that provide the flavor foundation for the simple tomato sauce.
Oregano (Dried): Adds a key Italian herbal note to the sauce.
Shredded Mozzarella Cheese: The classic cheesy topping. Low-moisture, part-skim mozzarella melts well.
Fresh Basil (Chopped): For garnish, adds a final touch of freshness and authentic Italian flavor.

Essential Equipment

9×13 Inch Baking Dish: For assembling and baking the casserole. Ensure it’s greased.
Knife & Cutting Board: For dicing chicken (if needed, recipe assumes whole breasts), chopping onion, mincing garlic, chopping basil.
Bowl: For mixing the tomato sauce ingredients.
Measuring Cups & Spoons:
Spoon/Spatula: For stirring sauce and spreading it.

Ingredients

Chicken:

▢ 4 small chicken breasts, skinless, boneless (thin or pounded out)
▢ 1 tbsp garlic powder
▢ 1 tbsp onion powder
▢ 1 tbsp Italian seasoning
▢ Salt & black pepper, to taste
▢ 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

Tomato Sauce:

▢ 1 can chopped tomatoes (16 oz)
▢ 3 garlic cloves, minced
▢ 1/2 red onion, finely chopped
▢ 2 tsp oregano (dried)
▢ Salt and black pepper, to taste

Topping & Garnish:

▢ 1 cup shredded mozzarella
▢ A few basil leaves, chopped for garnish

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Prepare Oven and Dish:

Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
Spray a 9×13 inch baking dish with oil or grease lightly.

2. Prepare and Season Chicken:

Ensure your chicken breasts are thin. If they are thick, pound them gently between plastic wrap to an even thickness (about 1/2 to 3/4 inch).
Using a sharp knife, make shallow cuts (score) across the top surface of each chicken breast in a crosshatch pattern. Be careful not to cut all the way through. This helps the seasonings penetrate.
Place the chicken breasts in the prepared baking dish, scored side up initially.
Sprinkle half of the garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper over the chicken. Rub the seasonings in gently.
Flip the chicken breasts over so the scored side is now facing up. Sprinkle with the remainder of the seasonings and rub them in, trying to get some into the cuts.
Drizzle the olive oil evenly over the seasoned chicken breasts.

3. Make the Tomato Sauce:

In a medium bowl, mix together the canned chopped tomatoes (undrained), minced garlic, finely chopped red onion, dried oregano, and salt and black pepper to taste. Stir well to combine.

4. Assemble the Bake:

Pour the prepared tomato sauce mixture evenly over the chicken breasts in the baking dish.
Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the sauce and chicken.

5. Bake:

Place the baking dish in the preheated oven.
Bake uncovered for 25-30 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through (internal temperature reaches 165°F/74°C) and the cheese is melted and bubbly.

6. Broil (Optional):

For more golden-brown cheese, switch the oven setting to Broil (High) after the chicken is cooked.
Broil for 2 minutes, watching very closely to prevent burning, until the cheese is golden and bubbly to your liking.

7. Garnish and Serve:

Carefully remove the baking dish from the oven. Let it rest for a few minutes.
Sprinkle with fresh chopped basil just before serving.
Serve warm.

Troubleshooting

Chicken Dry: Overbaking is the most likely culprit. Use thinner breasts or pound them. Use a meat thermometer (165°F/74°C). Check doneness at the lower end of the time range.
Sauce Too Watery: Canned tomatoes vary in liquid content. If it seems very watery, you could drain the tomatoes slightly before mixing the sauce, or let the dish rest longer after baking for sauce to slightly thicken.
Sauce Too Thick: Unlikely with this method, but if desired thinner, add a splash of chicken broth or water to the tomato sauce mixture before pouring over chicken.
Cheese Burnt During Broiling: Broilers are very intense. Keep a constant eye on it; 1-2 minutes is often enough. Lower the oven rack if necessary.

Tips and Variations

Thin Chicken is Key: Using thin chicken breasts or pounding thicker ones ensures they cook through quickly and stay tender without drying out before the cheese melts nicely.
Scoring: Making shallow cuts helps flavor penetrate but isn’t strictly necessary if chicken is thin.
Spice it Up: Add 1/4 teaspoon of red pepper flakes to the tomato sauce for a little heat.
Add Veggies: Sauté sliced mushrooms or bell peppers with the onion and garlic before adding tomatoes, or stir in some chopped spinach with the sauce ingredients.
Different Cheese: Use Provolone, Fontina, or an Italian blend instead of or mixed with mozzarella. A sprinkle of Parmesan on top adds extra flavor.
Use Chicken Thighs: Boneless, skinless chicken thighs can be used for extra juicy results (adjust baking time slightly if needed).

Serving and Pairing Suggestions

Serve Warm: Best enjoyed hot from the oven with melted cheese.
With Pasta: Serve alongside or over spaghetti, linguine, or penne.
With Bread: Crusty Italian bread is perfect for soaking up the delicious sauce.
With Salad: A simple Caesar salad or mixed green salad makes it a complete meal.
With Rice: Simple white rice is also a good base.

Nutritional Information

(Note: Estimated, per serving, assuming 4 servings. Variable based on chicken size, cheese type/amount, canned tomato brand.)

Calories: 400-550
Fat: 20-35g
Saturated Fat: 8-15g
Cholesterol: 130-180mg
Sodium: 700-1000mg+ (influenced by canned tomatoes, cheese, added salt)
Total Carbohydrates: 10-15g
Dietary Fiber: 2-4g
Sugars: 5-8g (mostly from tomatoes/onion)
Protein: 45-60g

Simple Chicken Mozzarella Bake with Tomato Sauce

Make a delicious and easy Chicken Mozzarella Bake! This simple recipe features seasoned chicken breasts topped with a quick homemade tomato sauce and melted mozzarella cheese.

Author: Grace