This easy oven-baked chicken recipe only takes a couple of minutes to prep, and then you bake it in the oven. It is simple to prepare and big in flavor.
The best part is that you only need 3 ingredients for this chicken dinner. Cooking at home doesn’t have to be overcomplicated.
The only ingredients that you need are:
- chicken breast
- marinara sauce
- shredded mozzarella cheese
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What to serve with this recipe
This recipe is so easy that you spend more time trying to figure out what side dishes to have than prepping the meal itself. Don’t worry, though, because we are here to help. Since the chicken needs to bake for 25 minutes, my suggestion is to cook your sides on the stovetop, air fryer, or microwave.
Here are a few ideas:
- Marinated tomatoes
- Microwave Baked Potato
- Air fryer roasted mini peppers
- Easy glazed carrots
- Blackened broccoli
Tips to make the best baked chicken
Dry the chicken. I was really surprised to learn how much of a difference it makes to pat chicken breast dry. I had no idea for the first decades of my cooking career.
Drying the chicken helps because excess moisture causes it to steam instead of bake. Drying the chicken before cooking will also help it turn out crispy on the outside, but even more importantly, it will help it be juicy on the inside.
Fully preheat the oven. I am always in such a hurry to get my food in the oven, but I have realized how important it is to let the oven get hot. My tip to you is once the oven reaches the desired temperature, allow it to sit at that temperature for an additional 10 minutes before you start cooking.
Allow the chicken to rest. When you remove the dish from the oven, don’t serve it immediately. Allow the chicken breast 3 to 5 minutes to rest before serving.
First, you don’t want to burn your mouth. Second, you want to allow the juices a few minutes to redistribute. That way, the chicken will be juicy and perfect.
Can you store the leftovers?
Yes, you can store the leftovers and reheat them. The key is to allow the food to come to room temperature. Then place the leftovers in a sealed container and place it in the fridge. The leftovers should last up to 3 days.
This recipe is not only straightforward but also versatile. You can add herbs, spices, or vegetables to suit your taste and make it your own!
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Baked Chicken with Marinara and Mozzarella
Ingredients
- 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 2 oz marinara sauce
- 2 oz shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Pat the chicken dry with paper towels to ensure proper browning.
- Place the chicken breasts in a baking dish.
- Top each chicken breast evenly with marinara sauce, then sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese over the sauce.
- Bake in the preheated oven, uncovered, for 25 minutes or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
Looks good going to try it
Sounds delicious, but wondering if I could do it in a crockpot
Yes, you can use a crockpot. You can also do it in a microwave oven on high for about 10 minutes. (Be sure to use appropriate tools and check internal temp.)
So what would you season your chicken with some kind of Italian seasoning
I am going to add fresh spinach leaves to this meal, the next time I make it❤️
No spices or you leaving that to us?
Well making it now. Hope it taste great.
You can add more seasonings to it if you’d like. This is meant to be a super simple recipe where the sauce carries much of the flavor. Add an Italian seasoning to the sauce, salt and pepper to the chicken, whatever suits you.
Made this tonight and it was excellent! So easy!
We had spaghetti last night, so I just used that sauce!
Thank you!
How does the chicken brown with sauce and cheese on top?
Made this a couple weeks ago and it was a big hit with my daughter. Very picky eater and not a big fan of chicken. She even asked if I could make it again! In the oven, now.
That’s awesome to hear, Gail! It’s a huge compliment when even the picky eaters are weighing in! –Andi & Renee’
Can this recipe be frozen for later use?
Easy and very tasty!
This was so easy to put together!! I didn’t have marinara sauce, but used Ragu Kettle Cooked Roasted Garlic Sauce instead. I also added some parsley, oregano, and thyme to the chicken, along with Tony Chacerie’s Creole Seasoning and granulated garlic. I put some fresh spinach on top of the pasta sauce before covering it with mozzarella cheese. I also added some Parmesan cheese. DELICIOUS!! Thanks for the recipe!!
That sounds amazing, Karen! Those are some great ways to punch this up. (I love Tony’s, Kinder’s, and Flavor God too!) Great to hear from you! All the best, Andi & Renee’