Description
This stuffed chicken breast recipe with mozzarella cheese is a weeknight lifesaver—juicy chicken packed with melty cheese, seared to perfection and simmered in a rich tomato sauce. It’s hearty, comforting, and comes together all in one skillet, making cleanup a breeze. Perfect for busy families, casual dinner nights, or a simple yet satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Chicken:
4 chicken breasts, boneless and skinless
1 tsp salt
1 tsp dried basil
1/2 tsp dried oregano
1/2 tsp black pepper
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1 1/4 cup shredded mozzarella
3 tbsp olive or avocado oil
Easy Tomato Sauce:
15 oz canned crushed tomatoes
2 tsp garlic, minced
1 tsp dried oregano
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
-
Prepare the Chicken Pockets
Slice each chicken breast horizontally to create a pocket. Be careful not to slice all the way through—you want a flap, not two pieces. -
Season the Chicken
In a small bowl, mix salt, basil, oregano, pepper, and garlic powder. Rub this blend generously over both sides of each chicken breast. -
Stuff with Mozzarella
Carefully fill each chicken pocket with shredded mozzarella. Secure with toothpicks if needed to hold the filling in. -
Sear the Chicken
Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sauté the stuffed chicken for about 4 minutes on one side until golden, then flip and cook the other side for another 3–4 minutes. -
Make and Add the Tomato Sauce
In a bowl, mix crushed tomatoes, minced garlic, oregano, salt, and pepper. Reduce the skillet to medium heat and pour the sauce around the chicken, not over it. -
Simmer and Finish Cooking
Cover the skillet and let the chicken simmer in the sauce for 5–10 minutes, depending on thickness. Chicken is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (no pink inside).
Notes
Make-ahead tip: You can stuff and season the chicken in advance—just refrigerate for up to 24 hours before cooking.
Serving idea: Great with pasta, rice, roasted vegetables, or garlic bread.
Toothpick trick: Soak them in water for 10 minutes before cooking to prevent burning.
Double the sauce: Want it saucier? Feel free to double the tomato sauce portion—just make sure your skillet is big enough.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Chicken Breast Recipes
- Method: Skillet, Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 stuffed chicken breast
- Calories: 500
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 1495mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 58g
- Cholesterol: 172mg