Name: Mozzarella Chicken in Tomato Sauce Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 4 small chicken breasts; 1 tablespoon olive oil; Salt and pepper to taste; 1 tablespoon minced garlic; ½ cup chopped onions; 1 (14-ounce) can crushed tomatoes; ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning; ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes; ¼ teaspoon dried basil; 1 tablespoon sun-dried tomato pesto; ¼ cup water; Salt and pepper to taste; 4 slices mozzarella cheese or 1 cup shredded mozzarella; Chopped parsley or basil for garnish; Pasta or crusty bread, for serving

Nothing beats the cozy, melty magic of this Mozzarella Chicken in Tomato Sauce Recipe. You get juicy chicken simmered in a rich, flavorful tomato sauce topped with gooey mozzarella—comfort food at its finest and surprisingly quick to make.

The image shows three pieces of food in a pan, each piece having two layers. The bottom layer is a thick, deep red tomato sauce with a chunky texture, spread across the bottom of the pan. On top of each sauce patch is a layer of melted cheese, which is white with light golden brown spots where it has slightly browned. Small green herb pieces are sprinkled on the cheese for decoration. The pan is set on a white marbled surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Mozzarella Chicken in Tomato Sauce Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Mozzarella Chicken in Tomato Sauce Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Mozzarella Chicken in Tomato Sauce Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

This Mozzarella Chicken in Tomato Sauce Recipe has become one of my go-to dinners when I want something comforting, easy, and just plain delicious. The balance of fresh tomato sauce with the creamy cheese on top is like a warm hug in a dish.

Simple Ingredients: You only need a handful of kitchen staples, making it perfect for weeknights or last-minute guests.
Quick Cooking Time: From start to finish, this meal will be ready in about 30 minutes—no waiting around for hours.
Rich Homemade Sauce: The tomato sauce is full of fresh flavors thanks to sun-dried tomato pesto and herbs—it tastes like it simmered all day.
Versatile Serving: Whether you want to pile it over pasta, soak up the sauce with crusty bread, or serve alongside a salad, it works beautifully.

A close-up view of a piece of food with two layers being lifted by a silver fork. The top layer is bubbly, melted cheese with golden brown spots and small green herb pieces sprinkled over it. Below the cheese, there is a rich red tomato sauce visible around the edges. In the background, there are more pieces like this in a cooking pan, all sitting on a white marbled texture. The image shows a warm, freshly cooked dish with a smooth and slightly crispy cheese topping, with the tomato sauce layer underneath photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each component in this Mozzarella Chicken in Tomato Sauce Recipe plays a part to bring out the best flavors and textures. You’ll notice the balance between fresh, savory, and just a hint of spice. Here’s why these ingredients make such a winning combo.

Flat lay of four small raw chicken breasts, a small mound of minced fresh garlic, a small pile of chopped yellow onions, a small white bowl filled with bright red crushed tomatoes, a small white bowl containing deep red sun-dried tomato pesto, a small white bowl with dried Italian seasoning herbs, a tiny white bowl of red pepper flakes, a tiny white bowl of dried basil, four thick slices of fresh mozzarella cheese, a few fresh green parsley sprigs, and a nest of uncooked farfalle pasta, all arranged symmetrically on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Chicken breasts: Small chicken breasts cook quickly and stay juicy without drying out, making them perfect here.
Olive oil and minced garlic: These form the fragrant base of the sauce, delivering that essential Mediterranean soul.
Chopped onions: Adds sweetness and soft texture when sautéed gently before the tomatoes.
Crushed tomatoes: This creates a thick, vibrant tomato sauce. I prefer canned crushed tomatoes for consistency and depth.
Italian seasoning and dried basil: These herbs add that classic Italian flair to the sauce, no guesswork on flavors needed.
Red pepper flakes: Just a pinch adds warmth and a subtle kick—adjust to your spice comfort level.
Sun-dried tomato pesto: This is the secret weapon! It boosts the tomato sauce’s richness and layers complex umami flavors.
Mozzarella cheese: Fresh slices melt beautifully on top, giving you that irresistible, creamy finish.
Parsley or basil: Fresh herbs brighten the dish right before serving—they make it pop visually and taste-wise.

📝

Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I love how forgiving this Mozzarella Chicken in Tomato Sauce Recipe is—you can tweak it easily depending on your mood or what’s in your pantry. Over time, I’ve found a few tweaks that keep it fresh and personalized.

Variation: Sometimes I swap sun-dried tomato pesto for basil pesto when I want a fresher, herbal twist. It’s equally delicious and a bit lighter.
Spice Level: You can dial up or down the red pepper flakes depending on how spicy you feel, or leave them out completely for kids or sensitive eaters.
Cheese Swap: Tried sharp provolone or fontina when mozzarella isn’t on hand—both give a nice melt and slightly different flavor notes.
Proteins: Feel free to use chicken thighs instead of breasts for extra juiciness if you prefer a richer bite.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Mozzarella Chicken in Tomato Sauce Recipe

Step 1: Prep and Sear the Chicken

Start by seasoning your small chicken breasts with salt and pepper on both sides. Heat olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat—this gets the perfect sear without sticking. Cook the chicken for about 3–5 minutes per side until cooked through and golden. Don’t rush this part; a good sear locks in juicy flavors. Once done, remove the chicken to a plate and keep warm. If you plan to serve with pasta, get that water boiling now.

Step 2: Build the Tomato Sauce

Lower the heat to medium and add onions to the leftover oil in the skillet. If the pan looks dry, add a splash more olive oil. Sauté the onions for 2–3 minutes until softened, then stir in the minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds—just until fragrant. Now pour in the crushed tomatoes along with Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, dried basil, and your sun-dried tomato pesto. Give it all a good stir. When the sauce starts to bubble, add ¼ cup of water and lower the heat, cover the pan, and let it simmer gently for 10–12 minutes to thicken and deepen in flavor. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Step 3: Assemble and Broil

Nestle the cooked chicken breasts back into the sauce, spooning the sauce generously over each one. Now comes the best part—top every chicken breast with a slice of mozzarella cheese. Slide the skillet under your broiler for 1–2 minutes, just long enough for the cheese to get melty, bubbly, and slightly golden. Watch closely—you don’t want it to burn! Once bubbly, sprinkle chopped parsley or basil over the top, and you're ready to serve.

Top Tip

From years of making this Mozzarella Chicken in Tomato Sauce Recipe, I've learned a few tricks that really help the dish shine every single time. Don’t skip the sun-dried tomato pesto—it’s what turns this from good to unforgettable.

Perfect Sear: Make sure your skillet and oil are hot before adding chicken—this prevents sticking and keeps juices locked inside.
Simmer Gently: Let the sauce simmer low and slow with the lid on to mellow acidity and build flavor without drying out.
Watch the Broiler: Mozzarella melts quickly under high heat—keep your eye on it to avoid burnt cheese.
Adjust Spice Thoughtfully: I start with less red pepper flakes and add more when serving if needed—it’s easier than fixing an overly spicy sauce.

How to Serve Mozzarella Chicken in Tomato Sauce Recipe

Garnishes

I usually go for freshly chopped parsley or a few ribbons of basil—it adds a bright, fresh punch after all the rich melting cheese and sauce. Sometimes a little extra drizzle of good olive oil finishes it beautifully.

Side Dishes

This dish begs for something to soak up all that luscious sauce. My favorite partners are a simple tossed green salad and either buttered pasta or thick slices of crusty bread. Garlic bread never disappoints either!

Creative Ways to Present

For a dinner party, I like plating each chicken breast atop a small nest of spaghetti, then pooling the tomato sauce around it, and finishing with fresh herb sprigs. It looks impressive and feels like a special occasion dinner without extra fuss.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. The sauce actually tastes better after absorbing into the chicken overnight. Just keep your cheese toppings fresh by adding extra if needed when reheating.

Freezing

I've frozen the cooked chicken and sauce together with good results—just skip broiling the cheese before freezing. When you reheat, add fresh mozzarella on top and broil last minute. Defrost in the fridge overnight for best texture.

Reheating

Reheat gently on the stovetop or in a 350°F oven covered with foil to keep it moist. Then broil for a couple of minutes with fresh mozzarella on top so you get that freshly melted cheese finish again.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts in this Mozzarella Chicken in Tomato Sauce Recipe?

Absolutely! Chicken thighs are a great alternative if you prefer a juicier, richer flavor. Just adjust the cooking time slightly as thighs may take a little longer to cook through.

What can I substitute for sun-dried tomato pesto?

If you don’t have sun-dried tomato pesto on hand, basil pesto works well as a substitute. It changes the flavor slightly but still gives that fresh, herby dimension to the sauce.

How spicy is this recipe with red pepper flakes?

The red pepper flakes add a gentle warmth but nothing overwhelming—perfect for those who like a little kick without heat taking over. You can omit them entirely for a mild sauce, or increase slightly if you enjoy spicier dishes.

Can I prepare the tomato sauce in advance?

Yes! The tomato sauce can be made a day in advance and stored in the refrigerator. It actually tastes even better as the flavors have more time to meld. Just reheat gently before adding chicken and mozzarella.

Final Thoughts

This Mozzarella Chicken in Tomato Sauce Recipe holds a special spot in my weeknight lineup because it’s both effortless and utterly satisfying. I love that it feels like a cozy homemade meal without hours of prep. So go ahead—give it a try and make it your own. I promise you’ll come back to it again and again, just like I do.