This cheesy mozzarella chicken bake is simple to make and only uses a handful of ingredients. Tender chicken, mozza, parmesan, and marinara sauce make one awesome combo!
Who doesn't love melty cheese? This cheesy chicken bake is warm and inviting. Total comfort food!
How to make this mozzarella chicken bake (overview):
- Season the chicken with salt & pepper and garlic powder;
- Brown the chicken (or don't if you want to save time - just add an extra 10 minutes or so onto the baking time)... in a skillet over medium-high heat, sear both sides of the chicken for about 5 minutes/side;
- Transfer chicken to a baking dish and add the marinara sauce and then top the chicken with the cheeses;
- Bake for 15-20 minutes and then broil to get the cheese nice and brown and bubbly;
- Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes and then serve and enjoy!
(Full ingredients and instructions are in the recipe card below)
Recipe notes & tips:
- Want to make this recipe even easier? Skip the searing part (I like it because it yields more flavorful chicken, but the recipe also works without that step). Just place the raw chicken breasts in the baking dish, season them as indicated, and continue the recipe from step 4. I'd then cook the chicken for at least 30 minutes (or when a meat thermometer indicates it's 165F in the thickest part).
- Timing on this recipe will vary depending on the size of the chicken breasts, so I highly recommend using an instant read meat thermometer so you don't under or overcook the chicken.
- If you have a large oven-safe skillet, feel free to use it instead of transferring the chicken to the baking dish.
- If you find the chicken is sticking to the pan during the searing step, cook it a bit longer so it releases naturally. Ensuring the pan is very hot prior to adding the chicken will help prevent the chicken from sticking.
- I used an organic marinara sauce from my local grocery store. Feel free to use your favorite jarred brand or even homemade marinara. Keep in mind that the better quality the marinara sauce, the better this recipe will taste since it has very few ingredients.
- Depending on what you have on hand, feel free to switch up the cheeses if needed. You can skip the parm if you need to, and this recipe would be delicious with any cheese that melts easily. Try cheddar or even a Tex-Mex blend if you want a little heat.
What to serve with mozzarella chicken:
Try garlic bread or serve it over pasta!
More comforting chicken recipes you'll love:
- Creamy Garlic Chicken
- Ranch Chicken and Rice Casserole
- Spinach Artichoke Chicken
- Skillet Salsa Chicken
- Mozzarella Mushroom White Wine Chicken
I hope you will love this baked mozzarella chicken recipe! Questions? Made this dish? Leave me a comment below 🙂
Cheesy Mozzarella Chicken Bake
This cheesy mozzarella chicken bake is simple to make and only uses a handful of ingredients. Tender chicken, mozza, parmesan, and marinara sauce make one awesome combo!
Ingredients
- 4 large chicken breasts boneless skinless
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt & pepper to taste
- 1.5 cups marinara sauce
- 1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375F and move the rack to the middle position.
- Season both sides of each piece of chicken with the garlic powder and salt & pepper.
- Add the oil to a skillet over medium-high heat. Once the pan is hot, sear the chicken for 5 minutes/side. Add the chicken to a greased baking dish (I used a 9x13) once both sides are seared.
- Pour the marinara sauce over the chicken and use a spoon to spread it evenly over and around the chicken.
- Sprinkle the parmesan over the chicken breasts, and then do the same with the mozzarella.
- Bake, uncovered, for 20 minutes. If your chicken breasts are on the smaller side, I suggest doing 15 minutes.
- Broil the chicken for 3-5 minutes or so until the cheese is lightly browned (watch it closely). Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes prior to serving (this will ensure it's juicy). Chicken is done when an instant read meat thermometer shows 165F in the deepest part. Its temperature will continue to rise while resting.
Notes
- You can skip the step where you sear the chicken if you wish. Just place the raw chicken breasts in the baking dish, season them, and continue the recipe from step 4. I'd then cook the chicken for at least 30 minutes (or when a meat thermometer indicates it's 165F in the thickest part).
- Timing on this recipe largely depends on the size of the chicken breasts, so I highly recommend using an instant read meat thermometer so you don't under or overcook the chicken.
- If you have a large oven-safe skillet, feel free to use it and skip the baking dish.
- Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy only and should be construed as an estimate rather than a guarantee. Ingredients can vary and Salt & Lavender makes no guarantees to the accuracy of this information.
Nutrition
Calories: 481kcalCarbohydrates: 6gProtein: 60gFat: 23gSaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 178mgSodium: 1111mgPotassium: 1177mgFiber: 1gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 763IUVitamin C: 9mgCalcium: 303mgIron: 2mg
Kirstin says
Excellent and easy weeknight recipe. I have made it several times, and it is always a hit.
Natasha says
Fantastic!! 🙂
Kameryn says
Made this for dinner tonight and it turned out amazing! Everyone enjoyed it and gave several compliments. After searing the chicken I sautéed some diced onion and garlic and deglazed the pan a little bit to add a little more flavor. Definitely something I’ll be making again! Thanks for such a quick, simple and delicious recipe!
Natasha says
Fantastic!! 😀 Appreciate your review!
Cheryl says
Can you freeze this?
Natasha says
Hi! Hmmm... I'm a bit hesitant on how the cheese will thaw. You could try with leftovers, but I am not sure if freezing the whole thing, for example, would work too well.
craig says
I made a few changes and it came out great. For the chicken breast I stuffed with black olives, artichoke hearts and parmesan cheese. For the sauce I used Rao's Arrabbiata and it came out great.
Natasha says
Sounds good to me!!
Kelley says
This recipe was one of the easiest to make! It was also so delicious! Thank you again.
Natasha says
Fantastic! You're very welcome!!
Howard Johnson says
I used vodka sauce instead of marinara it was delicious.
Natasha says
Fab!! Thank you!
Melanie Anne Templin says
I was given homemade marinara sauce and was looking for a good recipe to use it with. This was quick, easy and delish.
Natasha says
Great!! 🙂 So happy you liked it.
Elle says
Hi,
Just wanted to thank you for a simple yet delicious recipe! My family and I loved it and I’ve enjoyed browsing your site and picking out some new things to try. Thanks again for keeping ingredients manageable and very simple, it’s hard to find that nowadays!
Elle says
Oops I also meant to add this recipe is definitely 5 stars- thanks again!
Natasha says
You're very welcome! Thanks for the review! 😀
Natasha says
I definitely aim to do that, so I'm very happy you think so haha.
Kristin Kingbay says
Made myself just a single serving of this for lunch today with a side salad and it was AMAZING. So easy and flavorful. I can't wait to make it again for my kids - they will love it too!
Natasha says
Yay! That's great. So glad you gave it a try!
Flora Kathleen says
Hello I made the Cheesy Mozzarella Chicken bake and I followed the instructions. It tasted delicious! Also great as a leftover. The only thing I did differently was I put a very small amount of sugar in the marinara sauce because I think the brand I bought is a little less sweet than my usual. I seared the chicken prior to baking and that was a flavour enhancement and reduced cooking times. Next time I will be brave and brown it a bit more confidently. I also used a meat mallet to pound the chicken breast into an equal height prior to searing because that is a personal preference for me. I really recommend this recipe, it is easy and very satisfying!
Natasha says
I'm so happy that you enjoyed it!! I like your tip on pounding the chicken... it's good for them to be the same size! Thanks for commenting, Flora.
Daniela Perez says
This recipe looks delicious! I can’t wait to try. Does anyone have suggestions as to healthy sides to pair it with?
Natasha says
Let's see if anyone chimes in. I'd have a salad with it or you can check out my side dishes category if you want more ideas: https://www.saltandlavender.com/category/appetizers-sides/
Daniela Perez says
Thank you!
Ashlyn @ F5 Method says
Natasha this looks delicious! Can't go wrong with the simple seasonings of salt, pepper, and best of all - garlic powder. Perfect comfort dish for the whole family!
Natasha says
Thanks so much!
Ilene says
This dish was delish! Simple ingredients and an easy to follow recipe. I made it last night for my family and they loved it! They all requested I make it again. Thank you Salt and Lavender!!
Natasha says
Aww I'm so glad it was a hit!! Thanks so much for taking the time to write me a comment! XO
Kelsey says
Hey! Looks super yummy! Could you substitute A pasta sauce instead of marinara?!
Thanks!:)
Natasha says
Thanks! Yes, I think that should work just fine. Let me know if you make this! 🥰
Maggie says
So excited to try this tonight! Would swapping for boneless, skinless thighs work?
Natasha says
Hi! Yes, that will work. They tend to be smaller so you may want to use less cheese to cover them (or keep the cheese haha the more the merrier). As far as cooking time goes, chicken thighs are more forgiving so you could probably keep it to 20 mins after the searing step. Let me know how it goes!