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This cheesy mozzarella chicken bake recipe is simple to make with just six ingredients. Tender chicken is smothered with melty cheese and marinara sauce in this cozy meal!
Try my Baked Ricotta Chicken or Gnocchi with Tomato Sauce next.
Why you’ll love it
My Chicken Parmesan recipe inspired this one, but I wanted something faster and easier for busy weeknights since there’s no breading involved here. This warm and inviting mozzarella chicken bake is the perfect balance between ease, affordability, and being comforting!
We’ve got juicy pan-fried chicken, marinara, and the irresistible duo of parmesan and mozzarella along with a couple of pantry staples. Then it’s baked to perfection. This easy chicken bake is family friendly, and I think it’ll become a go-to dish after a hectic day.
What you’ll need
- Chicken – we’re using boneless/skinless chicken breasts
- Olive oil – for pan frying
- Garlic powder – along with salt & pepper, it infuses the chicken directly with savory flavor
- Marinara sauce – I used an organic marinara sauce from my local grocery store. 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!
- Cheese – we’ve got shredded mozzarella and freshly grated parmesan
Tools for this recipe
Check out Natasha’s favorite kitchen essentials, gadgets, and cookware!
- An instant read meat thermometer is the best way to ensure the chicken is not over/undercooked.
- Parmesan is best freshly grated for taste and texture. I use a Microplane zester.
- This 9×13 baking dish is my favorite.
How to make cheesy baked chicken
This is an overview with step-by-step photos. Full ingredients & instructions are in the recipe card below.
Preheat the oven. Season the chicken with the garlic powder and salt & pepper on both sides. In a skillet, pan sear it until golden. Place in a baking dish, then pour the marinara over top.
Sprinkle the parmesan over the chicken, followed by the mozzarella. Bake, uncovered, until cooked through. Broil (carefully) so the cheese gets lightly browned. Let it rest for a few minutes before serving.
Helpful tips
- Feel free to use a large oven-safe skillet for convenience 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.
Substitutions and variations
- 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 Mexican blend if you want a little heat.
- To make this recipe even easier, skip the searing part (I like it because it yields more flavor, but the recipe also works without that step). Place the raw chicken in the baking dish, season, then continue from step 4. Cook the chicken for at least 30 minutes, or when it’s 165F internally.
What to serve with mozzarella chicken
- A little bit of chopped fresh basil if you happen to have some is a great final touch!
- There’s plenty of sauce to serve with pasta. Try my Quick and Easy Garlic Butter Noodles. My Garlic Mashed Potatoes and Easy Asparagus are another option.
- Or have a slice of Garlic Bread and a salad with my zesty Homemade Italian Dressing.
Leftovers and storage
- Store leftovers of this oven baked chicken in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days.
- Reheat slowly over a low heat in a saucepan or the microwave.
- I don’t recommend freezing it due to the cheese.
Did you make this baked chicken recipe? Please leave a star rating and review below! You can also tag me on Instagram if you made any of my recipes.
Cheesy Mozzarella Chicken Bake
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 9×13) 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 a few 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 safe to eat at 165F.
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.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
© Salt & Lavender Inc. Content and photographs are copyrighted. Sharing this blog post is much appreciated, but copying and pasting full recipes without authorization to social media is strictly prohibited.
This recipe was originally published on March 29, 2020. It’s been updated with new photos and better instructions but is the same great recipe!
Hello,
Could I dice my chicken into bite size pieces, sear them a little and still cook 15-20 mins?
Hi! I think that might overcook the chicken a bit so I’d do less in the oven.
I have so much trouble with chicken breasts being too dry when I cook them! I tried the ricotta chicken recipe but and my bf cutting the chicken smaller but that made it extremely watery 🤦🏽♀️🤦🏽♀️ (I blame him though!!!) Any suggestions for making this recipe and it being juicy, or does the searing help negate the dryness? Thanks so much!!!
Hi Larena! Are you talking about this recipe or my ricotta chicken recipe? I am thinking it was probably just a watery marinara sauce you used. I am not sure that cutting the chicken could make it more watery. Dry chicken usually means it’s overcooked, and it’s much easier to overcook chicken breasts than chicken thighs. If you invest in an instant read meat thermometer and don’t cook it beyond 165F it should stay juicy. The searing adds some more flavor to the chicken and reduces the amount of time it needs in the oven.
Had for dinner tonite, delicious! Husband asked for this in our weekly rotation. Served with your garlic butter noodles. Both recipes got two thumbs up from the hubby. Thanks for sharing : )
You are very welcome, Lolli! 😀 Thanks for your review!
As usual, another perfect, quick dinner! I’ve always been scared to sear chicken but this turned out perfectly!
I’m thrilled to hear that, Kim!! 😀 Thank you!
Every recipe I have tried has been simple and fast to make and the best part is they have all been delicious. My husband and I are on a low carb diet and and I can use many of these recipes with maybe a couple of adjustments. We are still loosing weight and are totally satisfied with each and every meal. Thank you so much for giving me new and delicious recipes.
Thank you so much! I’m so pleased you’ve been enjoying my recipes, Denise!
Have you ever added ricotta cheese spread over the chicken?
Not in this recipe but that should be fine. I have a similar recipe here with ricotta, though: https://bit.ly/3vVfhuD
This has become one of my go to recipes. Great taste and super easy. Thank you!
I’m thrilled to hear it, Debra!! 😀 Thank you for letting me know!
Great meal enjoyed by all! Used chicken thighs instead of breasts and added a layer of spinach under and over the chicken. I don’t know how to make small meals so basically doubled the recipe without meaning top.
That’s great! Thank you!
Made this last night and it was out of this world!
I stuffed some mozzarella into the chicken too and tore fresh basil over the top too.
Made my own sugo to go over it.
Rubbed the chicken with fresh garlic instead of powder.
Great recipe!
Love that stuffing the chicken idea!!
This is amazing!!! Hubby asked if we can have it weekly! Soo yummy
That’s awesome!!