Easy & Flavorful Chicken Pizzaiola Recipe: Your Quick Weeknight Italian Dinner
This Chicken Pizzaiola recipe delivers incredibly tender chicken, deliciously simmered in a rich, flavorful tomato sauce, all crowned with perfectly melted cheese. It’s an Italian classic made simple for your busiest days.
In today’s fast-paced world, finding time for a home-cooked meal can feel like a luxury. Between work, school runs, gym sessions, and evening commitments, many of us spend our days constantly on the go. There are moments when it feels like your car is your second home, ferrying children from one activity to the next, or you’re clocking in long hours only to face a packed evening schedule.
Yet, the desire for a nourishing, homemade dinner, preferably one packed with vegetables and bursting with flavor, remains strong. That’s where this incredible **Chicken Pizzaiola recipe** comes in. It’s more than just a dish; it’s a culinary lifesaver, designed for those hectic days when you crave comfort food without the fuss.
Chicken Pizzaiola is a fantastic, versatile Italian-American dish that brings the vibrant flavors of pizza, like rich tomato sauce and gooey cheese, to tender chicken. It’s hearty, satisfying, and remarkably simple to prepare, making it an ideal choice for a **quick weeknight meal** or a special family dinner that doesn’t demand hours in the kitchen.
Why You’ll Love This Easy Chicken Pizzaiola Recipe
This isn’t just another chicken recipe; it’s a game-changer for your dinner routine. Here’s why Chicken Pizzaiola deserves a permanent spot in your meal rotation:
- Incredibly Flavorful: The combination of a robust tomato sauce, aromatic garlic and onion, a hint of red wine, and classic oregano creates a depth of flavor that’s truly irresistible.
- Tender & Juicy Chicken: By lightly coating the chicken in flour before pan-frying, you lock in moisture and create a beautiful golden-brown crust, ensuring the chicken stays incredibly tender as it simmers in the sauce.
- Perfect for Meal Prep: One of the biggest advantages of this recipe is its make-ahead potential. You can prepare most of the dish the night before, store it in the refrigerator, and simply pop it in the oven when you get home. Dinner will be ready in under 30 minutes!
- Family-Friendly: Who doesn’t love the flavors of pizza? This dish combines them with chicken in a way that appeals to both kids and adults, making it a guaranteed hit at the dinner table.
- Customizable: While delicious as is, this recipe is also incredibly adaptable. You can easily add more vegetables, adjust the spice level, or experiment with different cheeses to suit your family’s preferences.
- Hearty & Wholesome: With tender chicken and a rich vegetable-based sauce, it’s a satisfying meal that can be easily paired with various healthy side dishes.
Recipe Chicken Pizzaiola
Have you tried this fantastic Chicken Pizzaiola recipe? I’d love to see your creations! Share your photos and tag #byandreajanssen on Instagram or Twitter. It always brightens my day to see how you bring my recipes to life. Feel free to share your cooking experiences on my Facebook channel, or pin this recipe on Pinterest so you can easily find it for your next family dinner. Happy cooking, and see you soon!
📖 Recipe
RECIPE CARD
Andréa
Pin Recipe
Ingredients
- 400 grams chicken breast
- flour
- olive oil
- ½ red onion, finely sliced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 200 mL red wine
- 400 ml passata
- pinch red chili pepper, grounded
- 2 teaspoon oregano , dried
- 75 gram cheese , mature cheese, finely sliced
- salt and pepper , to taste
All my recipes are written both in Metric (gram / ml) and US Customary (cups / pounds). Here you can select which type of amount you would like to see.
Instructions
-
Prepare Your Oven: Preheat your oven to 200 degrees Celsius (approximately 390 degrees Fahrenheit).
-
Season the Chicken: Cut the chicken breasts into thin strips or bite-sized pieces. Season generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
-
Flour the Chicken: Lightly dredge each piece of seasoned chicken in flour, shaking off any excess. This helps create a beautiful crust and keeps the chicken tender.
-
Sear the Chicken: Heat a generous amount of olive oil in a large frying pan over medium-high heat. Fry the floured chicken breast pieces until they are golden brown on all sides. Do this in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding the pan.
-
Remove Chicken: Once browned, remove the chicken from the pan using a slotted spoon and place it on a plate lined with paper towels to drain any excess oil. Set aside.
-
Sauté Aromatics: In the same pan (add a little more olive oil if needed), add the finely sliced red onion and sauté for about 2 minutes until it softens. Then, add the minced garlic.
-
Continue Sautéing: Stir-fry the onion and garlic mixture for another minute until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic.
-
Deglaze with Wine: Pour in the red wine, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Let it simmer gently for 5 minutes over low heat, allowing the alcohol to evaporate and the flavors to deepen.
-
Build the Sauce: Add the passata (strained tomato puree) and a pinch of ground red chili pepper to the pan. Stir well to combine.
-
Simmer & Finish Sauce: Let the sauce simmer gently for 10 minutes over low heat, allowing the flavors to meld. Turn off the heat and stir in the dried oregano.
-
Adjust Seasoning: Taste the sauce and season with additional salt and pepper as needed.
-
Assemble the Dish: Arrange the browned chicken pieces evenly in a baking dish.
-
Add Sauce: Pour the prepared tomato sauce evenly over the chicken in the baking dish.
-
Top with Cheese: Generously layer the finely sliced mature cheese over the entire dish.
-
Bake to Perfection: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 20 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the cheese is bubbly and golden. If the cheese starts to brown too quickly, lightly cover the dish with aluminum foil.
Nutrition
Tried this recipe?
Let us know how it was!
Meal Prep Made Easy: Your Time-Saving Solution
One of the standout features of this Chicken Pizzaiola recipe is its incredible meal prep potential, making it a true **godsend for busy individuals and families**. Imagine coming home after a long, demanding day, and knowing that a delicious, homemade meal is just minutes away. This recipe allows you to do just that!
You can complete almost all the preparations the night before, right up to the point where the dish needs to go into the oven. Simply prepare the chicken and sauce, assemble them in your baking dish, and then cover and refrigerate overnight. The next day, when you walk in the door, all you need to do is preheat the oven, slide your dish in, and within 20-30 minutes, you’ll have a steaming, flavorful, and hearty **oven-baked chicken** dinner on your table. This strategy saves precious time during peak evening hours and reduces stress significantly.
Serving Suggestions for Chicken Pizzaiola
This versatile Italian chicken dish pairs beautifully with a variety of sides. Here are some delicious ideas to complete your meal:
- Potatoes: As mentioned, some crispy baked potatoes make an excellent accompaniment, soaking up the flavorful tomato sauce. Mashed potatoes or roasted potato wedges are also fantastic options.
- Pasta or Rice: Serve your Chicken Pizzaiola over a bed of al dente pasta (like spaghetti or penne) or fluffy rice to create a more substantial meal. The sauce is perfect for coating pasta!
- Crusty Bread: Don’t forget a loaf of crusty Italian bread or focaccia for dipping into that incredible sauce. It’s a must-have for soaking up every last drop.
- Fresh Salad: A vibrant citrus salad, as suggested in the original notes, would provide a refreshing counterpoint to the rich chicken and sauce. Alternatively, a simple green salad with a light vinaigrette is always a good choice.
- Steamed or Roasted Vegetables: Broccoli, green beans, asparagus, or zucchini, lightly steamed or roasted with a touch of olive oil and garlic, would complement the dish beautifully and add extra nutrients.
Variations and Customizations
Feel free to get creative with your Chicken Pizzaiola! Here are a few ideas to adapt the recipe to your taste:
- Add More Vegetables: Sauté sliced bell peppers, mushrooms, or even a handful of spinach with the onions and garlic for an even more nutritious and colorful dish.
- Spice It Up: If you love a bit of heat, increase the amount of red chili pepper, or add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce.
- Cheese Options: While mature cheese is great, feel free to experiment with other cheeses like fresh mozzarella, provolone, or a sprinkle of Parmesan for different flavor profiles.
- Herbs: Fresh basil or parsley stirred in at the end, or used as a garnish, will brighten the flavors significantly.
- White Wine Option: If red wine isn’t your preference, a dry white wine can also be used, offering a slightly lighter flavor.
Tips for Success
To ensure your Chicken Pizzaiola turns out perfectly every time, keep these tips in mind:
- Don’t Overcrowd the Pan: When searing the chicken, cook it in batches if necessary. Overcrowding will steam the chicken instead of browning it, preventing that delicious crispy, golden crust.
- Flour is Key: The light coating of flour on the chicken is important. It not only helps achieve a crisp exterior but also slightly thickens the sauce as it bakes.
- Taste and Adjust: Always taste your sauce before pouring it over the chicken and adjust seasonings (salt, pepper, chili) as needed.
- Prevent Over-Browning: If the cheese starts to brown too quickly in the oven, simply cover the baking dish loosely with aluminum foil for the remainder of the baking time. This allows the chicken to cook through without burning the cheese.
- Rest Before Serving: Let the dish rest for a few minutes after taking it out of the oven. This allows the flavors to settle and makes for easier serving.
What Did I Use to Prepare This Delicious Chicken Pizzaiola?
Essential Kitchen Tools
Having the right tools can make all the difference in the kitchen. Here are the kitchen utensils I used to prepare this wonderful Chicken Pizzaiola. Following the links will take you to another page with a brief explanation of each item, and the option to order directly if you’re in need of an upgrade or a new piece of equipment for your culinary adventures.
- A Good Pair of Knives: Essential for efficiently cutting chicken breast and finely slicing the red onion and mincing garlic. A sharp chef’s knife and a smaller utility knife are indispensable.
- Cutting Board: A sturdy and clean cutting board is crucial for safe and hygienic food preparation.
- Brushes, Spatulas, and Other Cooking Utensils: You’ll need a spatula for stirring the sauce and turning the chicken, and perhaps a slotted spoon for removing the chicken from the pan.
- Oven Dish and Roasting Pan: A versatile baking dish is needed to assemble and bake your Chicken Pizzaiola. A ceramic or glass dish works perfectly to ensure even cooking and a beautiful presentation.
- Frying Pan: A large, heavy-bottomed frying pan or skillet is necessary for searing the chicken and preparing the flavorful tomato sauce. Cast iron or a good non-stick pan are excellent choices.
- Sheet Pan, Baking Tray, or Baking Sheet: While not strictly for the main dish, if you’re planning to make roasted potatoes as a side, a baking sheet will come in handy.
- Baking Paper or Baking Mat: Useful for lining baking sheets if you’re preparing side dishes, making cleanup a breeze.