Chicken Pizzaiola
Enjoy this tasty chicken dish made with chicken breasts, a homemade tomato sauce, and melted cheese on top. It's easy to make and perfect for a family dinner!
Chicken Pizzaiola
Chicken pizzaiola is a delicious Italian dish and is great when you want something Italian, but different than the normal spaghetti or lasagna.
It's not hard to make and the whole family will love it!
Ingredients for chicken pizzaiola
Boneless, skinless chicken breasts: You can use chicken thighs if preferred. Make sure to pound them to an even thickness.
Salt and pepper: Remember to season both sides of the chicken breasts.
Olive oil: Use a good quality extra-virgin olive oil for the best flavor.
Large onion: Yellow or white onions work best, but you can use sweet onions if you prefer..
Garlic: Use fresh minced garlic.
Crushed tomatoes: If you prefer, you can use whole peeled tomatoes and crush them by hand or with a fork for a chunkier texture.
Capers: Drain them before use.
Seasonings: We used oregano, basil and red pepper flakes.
Shredded mozzarella cheese: Melts perfectly over the chicken.
Chopped fresh parsley and basil
Grated Parmesan cheese: Freshly grated Parmesan will provide the best taste.
How to Make chicken pizzaiola
Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper on both sides.
Heat the olive oil in a large, oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat.
Place the chicken breasts in the skillet and cook them until they are browned on each side, which should take about 4-5 minutes per side.
Once they have a nice color, remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside for later.
Using the same skillet, add the sliced onions and cook them for about 5 minutes until they are softened.
Then, add in the minced garlic and cook for another minute.
Pour in the crushed tomatoes and stir in the capers, oregano, basil, and red pepper flakes.
Let the sauce come to a simmer so all the flavors can blend together nicely.
Return the chicken breasts to the skillet, making sure to nestle them into the tomato sauce.
Turn the heat to low, cover the skillet, and let it simmer for about 20 minutes.
Sprinkle some mozzarella cheese over each chicken breast.
Place the skillet under your broiler just until the cheese has melted and turned a bit brown.
To finish, garnish the dish with fresh parsley and serve it with grated Parmesan cheese on top.
Tips & Tricks
Here are some tips for making this:
Quick Broil: When broiling the cheese, watch it carefully. The cheese melts fast, and you don't want it to burn. Don't step away from the oven and check it often.
Stove to Oven: You can use an oven-safe skillet to cook everything on the stove and then finish in the oven.
Skillet Alternative: If you don’t have an oven-safe skillet, use a regular pan for the stovetop part and transfer everything to a baking dish before broiling the cheese.
How to Store Leftovers
Allow any leftovers to cool to room temperature, then transfer to an airtight container.
Store in the fridge for up to 4-5 days.
What to Serve with chicken pizzaiola
Garlic Bread: A side of garlic bread is perfect with this.
Mixed Green Salad: A fresh mixed green salad with a light vinaigrette.
Steamed Vegetables: Serve steamed vegetables like broccoli, carrots, or green beans.
Pasta: A simple pasta, such as spaghetti or penne, can serve as a great base for the chicken pizzaiola sauce.
Roasted Potatoes: Crispy roasted potatoes pair well with chicken pizzaiola.
Grilled Asparagus: Grilled asparagus is another wonderful side.
Italian Breadsticks: Breadsticks seasoned with Italian herbs compliment this dish well.
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Chicken Pizzaiola
Ingredients
- 4 chicken breasts boneless & skinless
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil
- 1 large onion thinly sliced
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 28 ounces crushed tomatoes
- 2 Tablespoons capers drained
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes optional
- ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley for garnish
- Fresh basil for garnish
- Grated Parmesan cheese for serving
Instructions
- Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper on both sides.
- In a large, oven-safe skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the chicken breasts and cook until browned, about 4-5 minutes per side. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- In the same skillet, add the sliced onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1 minute.
- Pour in the crushed tomatoes, and stir in the capers, oregano, basil, and red pepper flakes. Bring the sauce to a simmer.
- Return the chicken breasts to the skillet, nestling them into the sauce. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and let simmer for 20 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and tender.
- Prior to serving, preheat the broiler of the oven. Sprinkle mozzarella cheese over each chicken breast. Place the skillet under the broiler just until the cheese has melted and is lightly browned.
- Garnish with fresh parsley and serve with grated Parmesan cheese on top.
Notes
Please note that the nutritional content of this recipe will vary based on the specific ingredients used. For a detailed breakdown of the nutritional values, consider using a recipe nutrition calculator with the exact brands and measurements you've used.
