Description
Savory mozzarella chicken brings Italian-inspired comfort straight to your dinner table. Melted cheese blankets tender chicken, creating a simple yet irresistible meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 4 chicken breasts
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1/2 cup parmesan cheese, grated
Seasonings and Herbs:
- 2 tsp dried basil
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Wet Ingredients and Binders:
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- 2 large eggs
- 1/4 cup milk
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F and prepare a baking dish by lightly greasing with olive oil.
- Whisk eggs, milk, and heavy cream together in a shallow bowl to create a smooth binding mixture.
- Mix parmesan cheese, dried basil, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper in a separate bowl to form a seasoned coating.
- Pat chicken breasts dry with paper towels to ensure proper seasoning adherence.
- Dip each chicken breast into the egg mixture, thoroughly coating all surfaces.
- Roll the egg-coated chicken in the seasoned cheese mixture, pressing gently to help the coating stick evenly.
- Transfer the prepared chicken to the greased baking dish, arranging pieces without overcrowding.
- Sprinkle additional mozzarella cheese generously over each chicken breast.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
- Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes to allow cheese to set and juices to redistribute.
- Serve hot, garnishing with fresh herbs if desired.
Notes
- Moisture Matters: Pat chicken breasts completely dry to help the seasoned coating adhere perfectly and create a crispy exterior.
- Cheese Protection: Cover chicken with foil during the last 10 minutes of baking to prevent cheese from burning while ensuring the chicken stays juicy.
- Customization Hack: Swap parmesan for gluten-free nutritional yeast to make the recipe suitable for those with dairy restrictions or following a plant-based diet.
- Temperature Precision: Use a meat thermometer to guarantee chicken reaches exactly 165°F, preventing overcooking and maintaining tender texture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 485
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 742 mg
- Fat: 34 g
- Saturated Fat: 11 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 8 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 37 g
- Cholesterol: 180 mg