Italian Baked Chicken

Transform your dinner table with the comforting flavors of Italian Baked Chicken, a hearty and flavorful dish that's perfect for busy weeknights or cozy family meals. This recipe combines juicy, golden-seared chicken breasts baked to perfection in a rich tomato sauce infused with garlic, Italian herbs, and fresh basil. Topped with a generous layer of parmesan and optional mozzarella cheese, this dish becomes irresistibly cheesy and bubbling with goodness straight from the oven. With only 15 minutes of prep time and versatile serving options like pairing it with pasta, rice, or crusty bread, this baked chicken recipe is as convenient as it is delicious. Perfectly seasoned and packed with authentic Italian flavors, it's a surefire crowd-pleaser that will have everyone coming back for seconds.

Nutriscore Rating: 62/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:40 mins

Total Time:55 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 4 pieces Chicken breasts
• 2 tablespoons Olive oil
• 3 minced Garlic cloves
• 14 ounces Canned diced tomatoes
• 2 tablespoons Tomato paste
• 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 0.5 teaspoons Ground black pepper
• 1 teaspoons Sugar
• 5 leaves Fresh basil leaves
• 2 tablespoons Fresh parsley
• 1.5 cups Shredded parmesan cheese
• 1 cup Mozzarella cheese (optional)

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

Step 2

Season the chicken breasts with a light sprinkle of the salt, black pepper, and 1 teaspoon of Italian seasoning on both sides.

Step 3

Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet or a sauté pan over medium-high heat.

Step 4

Sear the chicken breasts for 2-3 minutes on each side until they are golden brown (they do not need to be fully cooked). Remove the chicken and set it aside.

Step 5

In the same skillet, add the remaining olive oil and minced garlic. Sauté the garlic for about 1 minute until fragrant.

Step 6

Add the canned diced tomatoes, tomato paste, sugar, remaining Italian seasoning, and a pinch of salt and pepper to the skillet. Stir well and simmer for 5 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.

Step 7

Add fresh basil and parsley to the sauce and mix well. Taste the sauce and adjust seasoning if needed.

Step 8

Return the seared chicken breasts to the skillet, nestling them into the sauce. Spoon some of the sauce over the top of the chicken.

Step 9

Sprinkle shredded parmesan cheese over the chicken breasts. If using mozzarella, add a layer of that as well.

Step 10

Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked (internal temperature of 165°F or 74°C).

Step 11

Once done, remove the skillet from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes.

Step 12

Garnish with additional fresh parsley if desired, and serve hot over pasta, rice, or alongside crusty Italian bread.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	1545.5 grams (1545.5g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2834

Total Fat 152.50g	196%
Saturated Fat 69.70g	349%
Polyunsaturated Fat 6.10g
Cholesterol 888mg	296%
Sodium 6955mg	302%
Total Carbohydrate 37.00g	13%
Dietary Fiber 10.10g	36%
Total Sugars 22.40g
Protein 318.80g	638%

Vitamin D 51IU	257%
Calcium 2800mg	215%
Iron 12mg	68%
Potassium 1396mg	30%

*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.

Source of Calories

Fat: 49.1%

Protein: 45.6%

Carbs: 5.3%