Cheesy Italian Baked Chicken (Print Version)
# Ingredients:
01 -
4 large boneless skinless chicken breasts
02 -
2 tablespoons olive oil
03 -
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
04 -
Salt and pepper, to taste
05 -
1 1/2 cups marinara sauce
06 -
1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
07 -
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
# Instructions:
01 -
Preheat your oven to 375°F and position the rack in the middle.
02 -
Take each chicken breast and generously season both sides with garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
03 -
Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, sear the chicken for about 5 minutes on each side until golden brown. Transfer the seared chicken to a greased 9x13 baking dish.
04 -
Pour the marinara sauce over the chicken, using a spoon to spread it evenly over and around the pieces.
05 -
Sprinkle first the parmesan, then the mozzarella cheese evenly over the chicken breasts.
06 -
Bake uncovered for about 20 minutes (reduce to 15 minutes for smaller chicken breasts). Then broil for a few minutes until the cheese gets lightly golden brown - keep a close eye on it!
07 -
Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving to ensure it stays juicy. The chicken is ready when it reaches 165°F in the thickest part.
# Notes:
01 -
You can skip searing the chicken if you prefer - just place the raw seasoned chicken in the baking dish and bake for at least 30 minutes or until it reaches 165°F.
02 -
Cooking time will vary depending on the size of your chicken breasts - using a meat thermometer is highly recommended.
03 -
If you have a large oven-safe skillet, you can cook everything in it instead of transferring to a baking dish.