Linda's Italian Baked Chicken

Bring a taste of Italy to your dining table with Linda's Italian Baked Chicken, a comforting and flavor-packed dish that's perfect for busy weeknights or casual dinner parties. This recipe features tender, golden-seared chicken breasts bathed in a rich marinara sauce, then topped with a gooey blend of mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses. Infused with aromatic garlic, oregano, and basil, and finished with a sprinkle of fresh parsley, this baked chicken is brimming with authentic Italian flavors. With just 15 minutes of prep time and a hands-off bake in the oven, it's as simple as it is delicious. Serve this cheesy, saucy masterpiece alongside a hearty helping of pasta or a crusty slice of garlic bread for a complete, crowd-pleasing meal. Perfect for lovers of Italian cuisine, this recipe is sure to become a family favorite!

Nutriscore Rating: 70/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:35 mins

Total Time:50 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 4 pieces Chicken breasts
• 2 tablespoons Olive oil
• 3 cloves Garlic (minced)
• 1 teaspoon Dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon Dried basil
• 0.5 teaspoon Crushed red pepper flakes
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper
• 2 cups Marinara sauce
• 1 cup Shredded mozzarella cheese
• 0.5 cup Grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 tablespoons Fresh parsley (chopped)
• 12 ounces Cooked pasta (optional, for serving)

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

Step 2

Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with a bit of olive oil and set aside.

Step 3

Season both sides of the chicken breasts with salt, black pepper, dried oregano, dried basil, and crushed red pepper flakes.

Step 4

Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.

Step 5

Sear the chicken breasts in the skillet for 2-3 minutes on each side until lightly golden (they do not need to cook through). Remove from heat.

Step 6

Pour 1 cup of marinara sauce into the prepared baking dish and spread it evenly across the bottom.

Step 7

Arrange the seared chicken breasts over the sauce in a single layer.

Step 8

Pour the remaining marinara sauce over the chicken, ensuring each piece is evenly coated.

Step 9

Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese and grated Parmesan cheese evenly over the chicken.

Step 10

Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes.

Step 11

Remove the foil and bake uncovered for an additional 15 minutes, or until the cheese is golden and bubbly and the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).

Step 12

Garnish with fresh chopped parsley before serving.

Step 13

Serve hot with your favorite cooked pasta or a side of garlic bread for a complete meal.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1722.4g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2624.3

Total Fat 100.1g	0%
Saturated Fat 34.7g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g
Cholesterol 692.3mg	0%
Sodium 4920.2mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 129.3g	0%
Dietary Fiber 11.2g	0%
Total Sugars 11.9g
Protein 282.5g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 1425.3mg	0%
Iron 10.3mg	0%
Potassium 274.8mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 35.4%

Protein: 44.3%

Carbs: 20.3%