The Perfect Chicken Mozzarella Skillet Recipe for Busy Weeknights

Indulging in a chicken mozzarella skillet promises a culinary adventure that refines ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary dining experience.

Sizzling proteins and molten cheese dance together, creating a symphony of flavors that captivate hungry palates.

Delicate textures merge seamlessly, offering a comforting yet sophisticated meal perfect for intimate gatherings.

Home cooks appreciate how this dish balances simplicity with gourmet appeal, requiring minimal preparation and maximum satisfaction.

Skillful combinations of protein and dairy elevate this one-pan wonder beyond typical weeknight meals.

Unexpected depth emerges from strategic ingredient layering, turning an otherwise mundane dinner into a memorable feast.

Get ready to savor a mouthwatering masterpiece that will become your new favorite go-to recipe.

What Makes Chicken Mozzarella Skillet a Melted Dream

• Savor Rich Flavor Explosion: Every bite delivers a harmonious blend of tangy tomatoes, creamy mozzarella, and perfectly seasoned chicken that dances across your taste buds with incredible depth.
• Master Quick Gourmet Cooking: This one-skillet wonder transforms basic ingredients into a restaurant-quality meal in under 30 minutes, making sophisticated cooking accessible for home chefs of all skill levels.
• Enjoy Protein-Packed Comfort: With an impressive 40 grams of protein per serving, this dish satisfies hunger while providing a luxurious, creamy texture that feels indulgent yet nutritionally balanced.
• Experience Versatile Dinner Magic: Perfect for weeknight dinners or impressive weekend gatherings, this recipe adapts effortlessly to different dining scenarios while guaranteeing a crowd-pleasing meal that looks and tastes gourmet.

The Building Blocks of a Bold Chicken Mozzarella Skillet

• Chicken Breasts: Boneless and skinless, the star protein that absorbs flavors and provides a lean, tender base for the dish.

• Garlic Powder, Salt, Pepper: Classic seasoning mix that enhances the chickens natural flavor and creates a simple yet delicious coating.

• Crushed Tomatoes: Provides a rich, tangy foundation for the sauce with a smooth texture and deep tomato flavor.
• Heavy Cream: Adds luxurious creaminess and smooths out the tomatos acidity, creating a velvety sauce.

• Parmesan Cheese: Sharp, salty cheese that adds depth and complexity to the sauce.
• Buffalo Mozzarella: Creamy, melty cheese that creates a beautiful golden topping with rich, soft texture.

• Garlic Cloves: Fresh garlic that provides a robust, pungent base flavor to the entire dish.
• Fresh Basil: Bright, green herb that adds freshness and a classic Italian note to the final presentation.

• Olive Oil: Helps in searing chicken and preventing sticking, with a subtle fruity undertone.
• Italian Seasoning: Dried herb blend that brings traditional Italian flavor profile to the sauce.

How to Sizzle Up a Chicken Mozzarella Skillet with Ease

Step 1: Prepare Chicken Seasoning

Season chicken breasts with garlic powder, salt, and pepper on both sides. Heat olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat.

Step 2: Sear Chicken Pieces

Place chicken breasts in a single layer in the skillet. Sear for 3-4 minutes on each side until golden brown. Transfer partially cooked chicken to a plate.

Step 3: Infuse Garlic Flavor

Reduce heat to medium. Add pressed garlic to the skillet. Stir and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant.

Step 4: Create Tomato Base

• Crushed tomatoes
• Italian seasoning
• Salt

Stir thoroughly, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.

Step 5: Develop Creamy Sauce

• Heavy cream
• Grated Parmesan cheese
• Chopped fresh basil

Cook for 2-3 minutes until the sauce becomes smooth and creamy.

Step 6: Simmer Chicken

Return chicken pieces to the skillet, coating them in the sauce. Cover partially and simmer for 5-7 minutes until chicken reaches 165°F (74°C).

Step 7: Add Mozzarella Topping

Preheat broiler. Top each chicken piece with buffalo mozzarella slices. Place skillet under the broiler for 3-5 minutes until cheese melts and becomes slightly golden.

Step 8: Rest and Serve

Remove skillet from broiler. Let the dish rest for a few minutes before serving to allow flavors to settle and sauce to slightly thicken.

Flavor Fixes for Chicken Mozzarella Done Right

• Sear for Golden Perfection: Pat chicken breasts completely dry before seasoning to ensure a beautiful, crispy exterior that locks in delicious flavors.
• Temperature Matters: Use an instant-read meat thermometer to confirm chicken reaches exact 165°F internal temperature for safe, juicy results.
• Mozzarella Melting Trick: Choose fresh buffalo mozzarella and slice it slightly thick so it melts beautifully without becoming watery or losing texture.
• Sauce Depth Booster: Let tomato sauce simmer longer to concentrate flavors, developing a richer, more complex taste profile that complements the chicken.
• Fresh Herb Magic: Chop basil right before adding to preserve its vibrant color and release maximum aromatic oils for an intense, fresh finishing touch.

Store and Reheat Chicken Mozzarella Without Losing That Stretch

• Refrigeration: Transfer chicken mozzarella skillet to an airtight container within two hours of cooking. Seal tightly and store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Keep the dish away from raw foods to prevent cross-contamination.
• Freezing: Wrap the cooled skillet contents in freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty aluminum foil. Freeze for maximum 2 months. Label the container with the date to track freshness. Pro tip: Separate sauce and chicken before freezing to maintain better texture.
• Reheating: Warm refrigerated leftovers in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of chicken broth to prevent drying. Alternatively, microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring between each to distribute heat evenly.

Tasty Companions to Chicken Mozzarella Skillet

• Pair with Crisp White Wine: A chilled Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc cuts through the creamy sauce, balancing the rich chicken and mozzarella with its bright, refreshing acidity.
• Serve Alongside Garlic Bread: Crusty, warm garlic bread becomes the perfect companion to soak up the delectable tomato-cream sauce, adding a satisfying crunch and extra flavor dimension.
• Match with Fresh Arugula Salad: A light, peppery arugula salad dressed with lemon vinaigrette provides a zesty contrast to the creamy, cheesy chicken, creating a perfectly balanced meal that feels both indulgent and fresh.
• Complement with Roasted Vegetables: Herb-roasted zucchini or asparagus spears bring a subtle earthiness that enhances the Italian-inspired flavors of the chicken mozzarella skillet, adding nutritional balance and visual appeal to the plate.

Chicken Mozzarella Skillet Twists You’ll Want to Try

• Mediterranean Chicken Charm: Replace crushed tomatoes with sun-dried tomatoes and add kalamata olives for a Greek-inspired flavor profile. Swap basil with oregano and sprinkle crumbled feta cheese instead of mozzarella.
• Spicy Southwest Splash: Incorporate diced green chilies and swap Italian seasoning for chili powder and cumin. Top with pepper jack cheese and garnish with fresh cilantro for a zesty southwestern experience.
• Creamy Mushroom Infusion: Sauté sliced cremini mushrooms with garlic before adding tomatoes. Include a splash of white wine and use gruyère cheese for deeper, earthier undertones. Finish with fresh thyme instead of basil.
• Coconut Curry Transformation: Substitute heavy cream with coconut milk and add mild curry powder. Include diced bell peppers for extra color and nutrition. Top with shredded coconut and swap mozzarella for a mild white cheddar.

Chicken Mozzarella Skillet Recipe

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4.5 from 28 reviews

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Sizzling chicken mozzarella skillet brings Italian comfort straight to your kitchen. Melted cheese, golden-brown chicken, and aromatic herbs create a hearty meal you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

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Protein:

• 2 lbs (0.9 kg) boneless, skinless chicken breasts (cut or pounded to thin cutlets)
• 4 oz (113 g) buffalo mozzarella (sliced)
• ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese

Seasoning and Herbs:

• ¼ teaspoon garlic powder (for seasoning the chicken)
• ¼ teaspoon salt (for seasoning the chicken)
• ¼ teaspoon pepper (for seasoning the chicken)
• 4 cloves garlic (pressed, for the sauce)
• 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning (dried)
• ¼ teaspoon salt (for the sauce)
• ¼ cup fresh basil chopped

Sauce and Cooking Ingredients:

• 28 oz (794 g) can crushed tomatoes
• 1 tablespoon olive oil (for searing the chicken)
• ½ cup heavy cream

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Instructions

1. Generously coat chicken breasts with garlic powder, salt, and pepper on both sides (or 907 grams). Heat olive oil (or 15 milliliters) in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat.
2. Position chicken pieces in a single layer, searing each side for 3-4 minutes until golden-brown. Remove chicken and set aside without fully cooking.
3. Reduce heat to medium and add minced garlic (4 cloves), stirring constantly for approximately 30 seconds until fragrant.
4. Pour crushed tomatoes (14-ounce or 400-gram can) into the skillet. Incorporate Italian seasoning () and additional salt (½ teaspoon), mixing thoroughly and scraping any caramelized bits from the pan.
5. Gently blend heavy cream (½ cup or 120 milliliters) and grated Parmesan cheese (¼ cup or 25 grams) into the sauce. Simmer for 2-3 minutes until smooth, then fold in freshly chopped basil (⅓ cup or 8 grams).
6. Carefully return chicken to the skillet, ensuring each piece is evenly coated with sauce. Cover partially and simmer for 5-7 minutes until chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
7. Activate broiler and strategically place buffalo mozzarella slices atop each chicken piece. Transfer skillet to oven and broil for 3-5 minutes until cheese melts and becomes slightly golden.
8. Remove from oven and allow dish to rest for a few minutes before serving, letting flavors meld and settle.

Notes

• Searing locks in juicy chicken flavors, creating a golden-brown exterior that seals deliciousness inside the meat.
• Garlic transforms the pan’s foundation, releasing an aromatic essence that elevates the entire dish’s complexity.
• Tomato sauce provides a vibrant, tangy base infusing each chicken piece with rich Mediterranean-inspired undertones.
• Cream and Parmesan create a luxuriously smooth sauce, binding ingredients together with velvety richness.
• Fresh basil adds bright, herbaceous notes that cut through the creamy sauce, bringing unexpected freshness.
• Melted mozzarella creates a stunning cheese pull, transforming the skillet into a restaurant-worthy masterpiece.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: American-Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 550 kcal
• Sugar: 6g
• Sodium: 800mg
• Fat: 36g
• Saturated Fat: 18g
• Unsaturated Fat: 16g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 20g
• Fiber: 2g
• Protein: 40g
• Cholesterol: 150mg