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You ever cook something and just know before it even hits the table that it’s going to be a repeat recipe? That was this. It was a Monday, I had chicken in the fridge and a jar of marinara that was two days away from getting tossed, and I thought—“Let’s see what happens.”
Well, what happened was cheesy, saucy, golden-edged bliss. The kind of meal that makes everyone stop mid-bite and go, “Wait—what is this?” And honestly, I didn’t even try that hard. It’s just that kind of dish.
It reminds me of the baked chicken my mom used to make when she was short on time but still wanted us to feel like she made something special. Only this one’s got stretchy mozzarella and that deep, tomatoey comfort we all secretly want after a long day.
So, Why Will You Be Making This on Repeat?
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That melty mozzarella—seriously, cheese pulls for days
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It’s the kind of meal that looks like you spent hours, but nope
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Big flavor, small effort
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Picky eaters? No problem. Everyone loves this.
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Easy to pair with anything: pasta, veggies, a glass of red… or just a fork.
What You’ll Need (and What You Can Totally Wing)
Here’s the short-and-sweet shopping list, with a few “you do you” options:
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Chicken breasts – Boneless, skinless. But thighs would be even juicier if that’s your thing.
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Marinara sauce – Use what you’ve got. Homemade? Bless you. Store-bought? No shame here—I used Rao’s.
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Italian seasoning + garlic powder – Or any dried herbs you like. Oregano, basil, thyme? Toss ’em in.
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Salt and pepper – Just don’t forget ’em. They matter.
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Mozzarella – Freshly shredded if you can swing it. Pre-shredded totally works too.
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Parmesan – Adds that nutty, salty layer of flavor. Romano works if that’s what’s in the fridge.
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Olive oil – For a quick sear.
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Fresh basil (optional) – If you’ve got a sad little basil plant on the windowsill like I do, this is its moment.
Here’s How It Goes Down (Super Simple, Promise)
No complicated steps. No fancy gear. Just layers of goodness.
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Oven on – Set it to 375°F (190°C).
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Sauce the dish – Just a thin layer in the bottom so nothing sticks.
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Season that chicken – Both sides. Don’t be shy.
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Quick sear – In a skillet with olive oil, 3–4 minutes per side. Just to get that golden edge. You’re not cooking it through yet.
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Layer it up – Nestle the seared chicken into the baking dish. Cover with the rest of the sauce.
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Cheese time – Pile on the mozzarella, then sprinkle the Parmesan.
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Bake – 20–25 minutes until the chicken is cooked and the cheese is bubbly and golden. You’ll smell it when it’s ready.
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Let it sit – A few minutes. This part is hard. But worth it.
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Basil it up – Totally optional, but it makes it pretty and adds a little freshness.
Want to Make It Your Own? Here’s How
This dish is basically a blank canvas covered in cheese. Go wild.
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Add chopped spinach or sautéed mushrooms under the chicken
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Use pesto instead of marinara for a green, herby twist
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Sprinkle red pepper flakes if you like a little heat
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Mix in a spoonful of ricotta on top before baking for extra richness
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Want crunch? Add breadcrumbs during the last 5 minutes
What About Leftovers? (If You Have Any)
This one’s a champ the next day. Maybe even better.
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Fridge life: 3–4 days, sealed up tight
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Reheating: Microwave works fine, or cover and bake at 300°F to warm it gently
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Freezer: Absolutely. Wrap it up and stash it for a cozy future dinner
Pro tip: It makes an amazing sandwich if you’ve got crusty bread lying around. Just saying.
Before You Go… Can We Talk About How Good This Smells?
Like, I know that’s not a helpful tip—but I wish I could bottle it. That warm, herby, cheesy, tomatoey smell that drifts through the house and makes everyone wander into the kitchen asking, “What’s for dinner?”
That’s this dish.
So if you make it—and I really hope you do—come back and tell me how it turned out. Share your tweaks, your wins, or even your “I ran out of mozzarella but still made it work” stories. I’m all ears. Seriously.
Thanks for hanging out in my little corner of the internet. Until next time, keep cooking what makes you happy.
Cheesy Mozzarella Chicken Bake
Ingredients
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 cup marinara sauce
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Fresh basil leaves for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In a baking dish, spread a thin layer of marinara sauce to prevent sticking.
- Season chicken breasts on both sides with Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
- Heat olive oil in a large oven-proof skillet over medium-high heat. Sear chicken for 3–4 minutes per side until golden brown.
- Transfer chicken to the baking dish and pour remaining marinara sauce over the top.
- Sprinkle shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan cheese over the chicken.
- Bake for 20–25 minutes, until chicken is cooked through and cheese is bubbly and lightly golden.
- Let rest for a few minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh basil if desired.
Notes