Chicken Pizzaiola
A flavorful Italian dish featuring braised chicken in a rich tomato sauce with oregano and garlic, reminiscent of pizza sauce.
Nutrition
Calories: 350cal
Carbohydrate: 10g
Protein: 40g
Fat: 15g
Cholesterol: – -mg
Sodium: – -mg
Difficulty Level: easy
15 min Prep
35 min Cook
50 min Total
4 Servings
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.5 pounds)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 1/2 cups canned crushed tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1/2 cup sliced black olives
- 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley (for garnish)
Instructions
- Gather all your ingredients and tools to begin. This step helps ensure a smooth cooking process.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. While the oil is heating, season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper on both sides. Once the oil is shimmering, add the chicken breasts.
- Cook the chicken breasts for about 4-5 minutes per side, or until they’re golden brown. They do not need to be fully cooked through at this point, as they will finish cooking in the sauce. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Reduce the heat to medium and add the chopped onion to the same skillet. Sauté for about 3 minutes until the onion begins to soften. Stir occasionally with a wooden spoon to avoid burning.
- Add the minced garlic to the onions and cook for an additional 1 minute, stirring constantly. Be careful not to burn the garlic, as it can become bitter.
- Pour in the crushed tomatoes along with the oregano, basil, and optional red pepper flakes. Stir to combine and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Let it cook for about 5 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
- Return the chicken breasts to the skillet, nestling them into the tomato sauce. Cover the skillet and let the chicken simmer in the sauce for about 15 minutes. This will infuse the chicken with flavor and ensure it is cooked through.
- After 15 minutes, uncover the skillet and taste the sauce. Adjust the seasoning as needed, adding more salt and pepper if desired.
- Sprinkle the sliced black olives and the shredded mozzarella cheese over the chicken and sauce. Place the lid back on the skillet and allow the cheese to melt, which should take about 2-3 minutes.
- Once the cheese has melted, remove the skillet from the heat. For a finishing touch, sprinkle the chopped fresh parsley over the dish.
- Serve the Chicken Pizzaiola hot, on its own or with your favorite side dish. Enjoy!
