Description
Juicy and flavorful chicken breasts stuffed with melty mozzarella cheese and baked in a savory tomato-herb sauce, perfect for an easy Italian-inspired dinner.
Ingredients
Chicken and Filling
- 4 chicken breasts
- 1 cup shredded or sliced mozzarella
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
Sauce and Seasoning
- 1 cup marinara sauce
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Olive oil, for searing
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the stuffed chicken breasts.
- Prepare Chicken Pockets: Carefully slice a pocket into the side of each chicken breast, making enough space to stuff the mozzarella.
- Stuff Chicken: Fill each chicken breast pocket with mozzarella cheese, then season the chicken inside and out with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning.
- Sear Chicken: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat, then sear each chicken breast for 2-3 minutes on each side until golden brown, locking in flavor and moisture.
- Add Sauce and Garlic: Pour marinara sauce into the skillet around the chicken breasts, stirring in the minced garlic evenly to flavor the sauce.
- Bake the Chicken: Transfer the skillet or chicken with sauce to the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the cheese inside is melted and bubbly.
Notes
- Add fresh spinach or basil to the mozzarella filling for extra flavor and nutrition.
- For a smoky twist, use smoked mozzarella instead of regular mozzarella.
- If you don’t have an oven-safe skillet, transfer the chicken and sauce to a baking dish before baking.
- Ensure chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F for safe consumption.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Searing and Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-Inspired
