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EASY Mozzarella Chicken recipe ready in 30 MINUTES! Inspired by Gordon Ramsay’s famous Chicken Mozzarella, this is a much faster ONE POT version made without any heavy breading.

Some dinners just make life easier. This is one of those reliable meals that tastes like I spent hours at the stove, but it actually takes very little effort. I get all those classic Italian flavors using just a single skillet, and I don’t even have to turn on the oven. Less cleanup means I make this chicken mozzarella recipe all the time.

Easy-Mozzarella-Chicken with sauce

It works perfectly for busy weeknights, but it also looks good enough to serve to guests. Whenever I need simple chicken with mozzarella or a dependable chicken and mozzarella recipe, this earns a permanent spot in my rotation.

Why This Recipe Works

A step up from my original Mozzarella Chicken with a 3-ingredient sauce, this one is TEN TIMES BETTER. It’s all about the homemade tomato sauce filled with so much flavor!

For the last few years, I have focused on finding the best ways to eat my favorite foods without ruining my progress. Having a reliable low carb chicken parmesan alternative really makes the process way easier.

Unlike my original recipe, which used jarred pasta or marinara sauce on a rushing-to-get-dinner-on-the-table kind of day, this chicken recipe uses a tomato sauce made from scratch. It only adds about five extra minutes of cooking time, and honestly, it is well worth it when you get a beautiful sauce soaking into your chicken breasts to make them that much more succulent and tasty.

Why People Love This Recipe (And Keep Making It)

  • One pan, no chaos: Everything cooks in a single skillet, which means less washing up and more time enjoying your life. The sauce builds right in the pan, soaking into the chicken instead of sitting underneath it.
  • Juicy chicken every time: A quick sear locks in moisture before the sauce goes in, so you are not dealing with dry chicken pretending to be dinner.
  • Cheese that melts properly: The mozzarella goes on at the right moment, melting into soft, stretchy perfection instead of turning rubbery or greasy.
  • Weeknight friendly but dinner party worthy: This easy mozzarella chicken recipe looks impressive straight out of the pan, with zero extra styling required.

What Goes Into Mozzarella Chicken

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Top shot of ingredients: Crushed tomatoes, chicken breasts, mozzarella cheese, onion, garlic, olive oil, roasted pepper, salt, parsley, pepper, Italian seasoning, tomato paste, red pepper flakes, onion powder, and paprika.

I love chicken recipes because they rely on basic pantry staples I almost always have in my kitchen.

  • Chicken Breasts: I use boneless, skinless breasts and slice them horizontally into thinner cutlets. They cook so much faster this way and stay incredibly tender. You can replace these with boneless, skinless chicken thighs if you prefer dark meat, but I highly recommend sticking to breasts for that classic chicken parmesan feel.
  • Tomatoes: I use crushed tomatoes because they give you a thick consistency that actually clings to the meat. Do not replace this with canned diced tomatoes! Diced tomatoes hold their shape too much and will leave you with a watery sauce.
  • Mozzarella Cheese: I always buy a block and shred it myself because it melts down into a perfect gooey layer. You can easily substitute this with thick slices of fresh mozzarella balls if you want a more traditional Italian vibe, but try to avoid pre-shredded bagged cheese. It is coated in starches that prevent it from melting smoothly.
  • Garlic and Onion: Do not replace the fresh garlic with just garlic powder here. Taking a minute to chop fresh aromatics makes a massive difference in how the sauce actually tastes.

Note: Please see recipe card at the bottom for a full list of ingredients with measurements.

Add Ins and Substitutions To Make It Yours

This dinner is incredibly forgiving if you want to clear out your fridge. Here are a few ways I like to switch things up without changing the whole recipe:

  • Mushrooms: I will often sauté some sliced mushrooms in the pan right after taking the chicken out to give the sauce a deeper flavor.
  • Spinach: Stirring a few handfuls of fresh baby spinach into the sauce just before adding the cheese is a great way to s neak in some greens.
  • Chili Flakes: If you like a gentle kick, sprinkling a good pinch of red chili flakes into the tomatoes as they simmer works perfectly.

How To Make Mozzarella Chicken

When looking for the best chicken and mozzarella recipes, technique is everything. I start by generously seasoning the chicken breasts and searing them in a hot skillet. The goal is not to cook the meat entirely through, but to build a solid crust. Once browned on both sides, I take the chicken out and set it aside.

Next, I build the sauce for this chicken with mozzarella and tomato right in the exact same pan.

  • As the diced onions hit the hot skillet, their natural moisture deglazes it. I use a wooden spoon to scrape up all the browned bits left behind by the chicken. That fond is where the real flavor lives.
  • Letting the crushed tomatoes simmer evaporates the excess water. If you love chicken recipes with marinara, thickening this quick sauce concentrates those same rich flavors in a fraction of the time.
  • Pulling the chicken early during the initial sear guarantees it stays incredibly tender when it goes back in to finish cooking in the hot liquid.

Finally, I bury the meat in the sauce, add a generous layer on top, and slide the skillet under the broiler. A minute or two is all it takes to make the perfect chicken with mozzarella cheese. It is ready to serve straight from the pan! This chicken mozzarella recipe is amazing alongside roasted asparagus or zucchini pasta to keep it low carb.

Pro Tips From My Kitchen

  • Prep the chicken: If you are using massive chicken breasts, do not just throw them in whole. I either slice them in half horizontally to make cutlets or pound them down to an even thickness. If you skip this, the outside of the chicken will burn before the inside cooks through.
  • Watch the simmer: Keep the heat on medium-low once the crushed tomatoes go in. Skillet tomato sauces splatter everywhere if they boil too aggressively. Letting it gently bubble down for a few minutes thickens the base so it actually clings to the chicken instead of turning watery on the plate.
  • The stovetop cheese trick: I love using the broiler, but if you do not want to turn on your oven to melt the mozzarella, just pop a heavy lid over the skillet right on the stove. It traps the steam and melts the cheese completely in about two minutes without drying out the meat.
  • Give it a minute: I always let the skillet sit off the heat for a couple of minutes before serving. The tomato sauce settles, the melted cheese stops sliding off the chicken, and the juices stay locked inside the meat when you finally cut into it.

What To Serve With Mozzarella Chicken

When I am planning a larger meal, I like to mix things up depending on who is coming over. If we want a complete contrast in flavors, bringing a beef and broccoli stir fry to the table works surprisingly well. But, if I just want a simple vegetable on the side, you cannot go wrong tossing some pan-fried sprouts with bacon into the mix.

Recipe FAQ’s

Can I Use Chicken Thighs Instead Of Chicken Breasts?

Yes! Boneless, skinless chicken thighs work beautifully in this recipe. They tend to stay extra juicy and soak up the sauce just as well as chicken breasts.

Do I Have To Brown The Chicken First?

Browning adds flavor and texture, but you can skip it if you’re short on time. The chicken will still cook through while simmering in the sauce.

Can I Make Mozzarella Chicken Ahead Of Time?

Yes, you can prepare the sauce and cook the chicken a day ahead, then assemble and broil with cheese right before serving. This keeps the mozzarella fresh and gooey.

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4.84 from 24 votes

Easy Mozzarella Chicken (Low Carb Chicken Parmesan)

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 4 people
Easy Mozzarella Chicken is a low carb dream! Seasoned chicken simmered in a homemade tomato sauce, topped with melted mozzarella cheese! A 20-minute Low Carb Chicken Parmesan WITH NO BREADING! You won't even MISS a crispy crumb on this chicken. It is SO good!
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Ingredients 
 

  • 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts 5-ounce breasts
  • 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 pinch salt to season
  • 1 pinch pepper to season
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 onion chopped
  • 4 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 fire roasted pepper fire roasted capsicum, chopped
  • 15- ounces crushed tomatoes OR tomato puree, passata
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste garlic and herb flavoured if possible
  • 1 pinch crushed red pepper flakes optional
  • 3/4 cup shredded mozzarella
  • 1 tablespoon freshly parsley chopped, to garnish

Instructions 

    Arrange the oven shelf in the middle of the oven. Preheat the broiler (or grill in Australia) on medium heat.
  • Season chicken with 2 teaspoons of Italian seasoning, paprika, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Heat oil in a pan or skillet over medium heat. Cook chicken on both sides until browned and cooked through.
    Cooked chicken in a pan after seasoning
  • Cook for about 8 minutes on each side. Transfer to a plate; set aside.
  • Cook the onion in the same pan until transparent (about 3-4 minutes) scraping any browned bits from the bottom of the pan, then add in the garlic and cook until fragrant (about 1 minute).
    aromatics in a pan being cooked
  • Add the fire-roasted pepper (or capsicum), crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, crushed red pepper flakes (if including), and remaining Italian seasoning. Give it a good stir to mix well.
    Added the pepper, tomatoes or passata, tomato paste, pepper flakes, and Italian seasoning to the skillet.
  • Bring to a simmer and allow the sauce to thicken while stirring occasionally (about 4 minutes).
  • Arrange the chicken in the sauce and top each breast with 2-3 tablespoons of mozzarella cheese per breast. Transfer to the oven to broil for 1-2 minutes, or until the cheese in browned and bubbling.
    Chicken with a spoon of sauce and mozzarella on top.
  • Garnish with parsley and serve.
    Close-up shot of Mozzarella Chicken.

Notes

Storage, Reheating, and Make Ahead

If I have leftovers, this is a great meal to save for lunch the next day. The tomato sauce actually gives the flavors more time to develop in the fridge.
  • Fridge: Keep any leftover chicken and sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
  • Freezer: You can easily freeze this. I store the cooked chicken and sauce in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. The melted cheese can sometimes get a little rubbery when frozen and thawed, so if I know I am making this specifically to freeze, I leave the cheese off. I just add fresh mozzarella when I reheat it.
  • Reheating: To keep the meat juicy, I usually reheat leftovers in a skillet on the stove over medium-low heat until warmed through. A microwave works fine if you are in a rush; just heat it in short bursts so the chicken does not dry out.
Happy cooking! Xx
Remember: Use fresh mozzarella for the best cheese melt! 
Do not stress about cooking the chicken 100% of the way through during that first pan-sear. The meat will finish cooking while it simmers in the tomato sauce and goes under the broiler. Pulling it out of the pan a minute early guarantees it stays incredibly tender.

Nutrition

Calories: 287kcal | Carbohydrates: 15g | Protein: 32g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 0.01g | Cholesterol: 89mg | Sodium: 606mg | Potassium: 928mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 935IU | Vitamin C: 22mg | Calcium: 190mg | Iron: 3mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Tried this? Leave a comment below!
 
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Hey Good Food Lovers! It’s nice to see you! My name is Karina. Welcome to Cafe Delites, my beloved space for the last 10 years where my passion for food has flourished and connected millions!

4.84 from 24 votes (1 rating without comment)

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49 Comments

  1. Christine Bacon says:

    5 stars
    I made this meal for dinner this evening and it was delicious. Definitely going to make it again. It was so simple. I did add a touch of my own to it, throwing in some sliced mushrooms and bell peppers.

  2. Olga says:

    5 stars
    This was one of the most delicious meals I cooked, ever! Thank you so much.

    This is gonna be my go-to meal when I crave pizza!

  3. Samy says:

    5 stars
    Amazing, just amazing! I will be making this more often

  4. Kelly Law says:

    How many net carbs is just the sauce?

  5. Nabava says:

    Oh boy, I’ve just finished eating this and it was amazing!! I don’t know what is it about tomatoes, chicken and cheese, but it’s the greatest combination on the planet! I used almond meal instead of almond flour, but it still turned out great. Definitely doing this again.

  6. Beccy Stokes says:

    5 stars
    Lovely recipe, but I have a query of some importance (to me), I note by the spelling of fibre that you use an American nutrition calculator, so, do we subtract the fibre from the 9 carbs to get the net carbs or is it actually 9 net carbs per portion?

  7. owen owen owen says:

    5 stars
    Just finished eating this and it was spectacular!!!! Had a couple of changes though..
    1. couldn’t cook for 8 minutes each side on my gas stove so i did 4mins each. wound up baking it in the over @ 350 for 12-15minutes with a layer of mozza over the sauce and chicken and covered it. Also didn’t have a medium broil setting so 2 another 2 minutes with more mozza sprinkled on top..
    2. 1/8th of a tsp of organic dried cayenne pepper instead of the fire roasted pepper as we didn’t have one.

    I’ve been looking for a cheese and chicken dish for some time now and this one is now officially in my rotation of yummy chicken recipes.

    Thanks for sharing and also thanks of having the person/recipe converter.. 🙂

    1. Shelly says:

      Thank you for this recipe! I just made it for me and the family. Everyone loved it and I will absolutely be making this again!!!

  8. Sara says:

    5 stars
    We loved this! Putting this down as a definite favorite for the family! Loved the simplicity of this ingredients and the ease of cooking the dish.

  9. Michael Blakeborough says:

    Are these carb counts for this recipe net carbs or do I need to do my own calculation?

  10. Nick says:

    Just made this for my big 26 year old son and myself. He’s not on any low carb “diet” but I am. Loved it just the same. Easy to make as well.

    1. shirin barghi says:

      This was amazing! Just made it for my husband and myself and we both loved it. Thank you so much for sharing!