Baked Chicken Marinara – Easy and Delicious Recipe
Preparation of this baked chicken marinara requires basic steps. The prepared chicken breasts achieve a golden tint before being mixed into a marinara sauce with cheese. You can use this dish as a wonderful option for a cozy dinner experience.
Ingredients:
- 4 (8 ounce) boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning (dried herb blend)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 (24 ounce) jar marinara sauce (such as Rao’s®)
- 8 ounces low-moisture, part-skim mozzarella cheese (about 2 cups grated)
- 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves (coarsely chopped)
- Cooked pasta (for serving, optional)
Method:
1. Prep
Gather all ingredients. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Set the racks to the top and bottom positions in the oven.
2. Season and cook the chicken
Sprinkle salt and Italian seasoning evenly over both sides of the chicken. Heat the olive oil in a deep, large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook until lightly golden brown on both sides, about 3 to 4 minutes per side.
3. Add the marinara and cheese
Pour the marinara sauce over the chicken so it’s well-covered. Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese over the top. Then cover the skillet with aluminum foil.
4. Bake the chicken
Set the bottom oven rack and bake the prepared skillet for 20-25 minutes until the chicken reaches full cooking and the cheese becomes melted while the sauce bubbles along the skillet edges. The thickest part of the dish requires thermometer insertion to verify the interior temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
5. Broil the cheese
Remove the skillet from the oven and remove the foil. Increase the oven temperature to broil mode. Then place the skillet on the top rack of the oven and broil for 2 minutes, until the cheese is light golden brown.
6. Garnish and serve
Garnish the prepared dish with fresh basil leaves and serve with hot pasta. This dish tastes delicious on its own, but it tastes even better with pasta.
FAQs:
What is Baked Chicken Marinara?
The preparation of Baked Chicken Marinara combines lightly browned chicken breasts with marinara sauce and mozzarella cheese followed by baking in the oven. This dish provides comfort through its rich taste.
How long does this recipe take to make?
This dish takes about 35-40 minutes to make, including both preparation and baking.
Can I use homemade marinara sauce?
Yes, definitely! Food made with homemade marinara sauce will deliver outstanding fresh tastes. Fresh tomatoes require combination with garlic and onion along with olive oil plus Italian spices to make the dish.
Can I use another cheese in this recipe?
Yes, if you don’t have mozzarella, you can use provolone, parmesan, or cheddar cheese. However, mozzarella cheese is traditionally considered best for this recipe.
Can this be made ahead of time?
Yes, you can make this a day in advance and reheat it in the oven when you are ready to serve. Just refrigerate it in an airtight container and reheat at 350°F (175°C) for 10-15 minutes before serving.