Delicious & Easy Chicken Pizzaiola Recipe: Your Ultimate Guide to a Flavorful Italian Dinner
This recipe for Chicken Pizzaiola brings you succulent chicken, deliciously simmered in a rich, flavorful tomato sauce, topped with melted cheese, for a truly satisfying meal.
Life can be incredibly demanding, can’t it? There are those days when you feel like you’re constantly on the move, juggling work, dropping off and picking up children, attending meetings, or hitting the gym. It seems like a never-ending cycle, leaving little time for anything else.
Yet, even on your busiest days, the desire to put a wholesome, delicious meal, packed with vegetables, on the table remains. This is precisely where a dish like Chicken Pizzaiola shines. It’s more than just a meal; it’s a culinary lifesaver, designed for those frantic moments when time is a luxury you simply don’t have.
Why Chicken Pizzaiola Is Your Weeknight Hero
Chicken Pizzaiola is an Italian classic that translates to “pizza-style chicken,” offering all the beloved flavors of pizza without the crust. It’s a simple yet incredibly satisfying dish where tender chicken breasts are bathed in a vibrant tomato sauce, infused with aromatic herbs, and finished with a gooey layer of melted cheese. The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity and the depth of flavor it achieves with minimal effort.
But beyond its deliciousness, this recipe is a true godsend for busy individuals and families because of its incredible convenience:
- Effortless Preparation: Most of the active cooking time involves simple steps like browning chicken and simmering sauce.
- Make-Ahead Magic: You can prepare the bulk of this dish the night before, saving precious minutes when you need them most. Just pop it in the oven when you get home!
- Nutrient-Rich: With plenty of vegetables in the sauce and lean protein from the chicken, it’s a balanced meal that doesn’t compromise on nutrition.
- Family Favorite: The comforting flavors of tomato and melted cheese are universally loved, making it a hit with both adults and children.
Unlocking the Flavor: Tips for a Perfect Pizzaiola
While the recipe itself is straightforward, a few key techniques ensure your Chicken Pizzaiola is exceptionally tender and flavorful:
- Flour Power: Lightly dusting the chicken with flour before frying does wonders. It creates a beautifully crisp, golden-brown crust, locking in moisture and adding an extra layer of texture and taste. This step is crucial for achieving that delightful bite.
- Preventing Over-Browning: Cheese can sometimes brown quickly in the oven. If you notice the cheese getting too dark before the chicken is fully heated through or the sauce is bubbling nicely, simply cover your baking dish with aluminum foil. This will protect the cheese while allowing the rest of the dish to finish cooking perfectly.
- The Art of Pre-Preparation: On a busy day, every minute counts. This dish allows for significant make-ahead work. You can prepare the chicken, cook the sauce, and assemble the dish in your baking pan the night before. Store it in the refrigerator overnight. When you arrive home the next day, preheat your oven, slide the dish in, and within 30 minutes, a hot, homemade meal will be ready to serve. It’s the ultimate hack for healthy eating on a tight schedule.
Serving Suggestions to Complete Your Meal
Chicken Pizzaiola is versatile and pairs wonderfully with a variety of side dishes to create a complete and satisfying meal. Here are some suggestions to elevate your dining experience:
- Classic Comfort: Serve alongside some crispy baked potatoes or creamy mashed potatoes. The potato soaks up the delicious tomato sauce beautifully.
- Fresh & Zesty: A vibrant citrus salad, perhaps with mixed greens, segments of orange or grapefruit, and a light vinaigrette, provides a refreshing contrast to the richness of the chicken and sauce.
- Italian Staples: For a truly Italian feast, consider a side of al dente pasta (like penne or spaghetti) or a simple risotto. A crusty loaf of Italian bread is also perfect for mopping up every last drop of that amazing sauce.
- Green Goodness: Steamed or roasted green vegetables like asparagus, broccoli, or green beans make an excellent light and healthy accompaniment.
Did you make this Chicken Pizzaiola? I would absolutely love to see your culinary creations! Tag #byandreajanssen on Instagram or Twitter. Your photos inspire me, and I always look forward to seeing how my recipes come to life in your kitchen. You can also share your meal photos on my Facebook channel or pin this recipe on Pinterest to easily find it next time. Happy cooking, and see you soon!
📖 Recipe: Chicken Pizzaiola
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 , at 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
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Preheat the oven to 200 degrees Celsius (approximately 390 degrees Fahrenheit).
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Cut the chicken breast into thin strips or bite-sized pieces for quicker cooking and better sauce absorption. Season generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
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Lightly dredge the seasoned chicken pieces in flour, shaking off any excess. This coating will help create a delicious golden crust.
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Heat a generous splash of olive oil in a large frying pan or oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Fry the floured chicken breast pieces until they are beautifully golden brown on all sides. Do not overcrowd the pan; cook in batches if necessary.
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Once golden, 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.
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Using 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 begins to soften. Then, add the minced garlic.
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Stir-fry the onion and garlic for another minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
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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 cook off and the flavors to concentrate.
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Add the passata (strained tomato puree) and a pinch of ground red chili pepper for a subtle kick (adjust to your spice preference).
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Let the sauce simmer for another 10 minutes over low heat, stirring occasionally, until it thickens slightly and the flavors meld. Turn off the heat and stir in the dried oregano.
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Taste the sauce and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.
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Arrange the browned chicken pieces evenly in a baking dish. If you used an oven-safe skillet, you can simply keep the chicken there.
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Pour the fragrant tomato sauce evenly over the chicken, ensuring all pieces are well-coated.
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Lay the finely sliced mature cheese over the chicken and sauce. You can also use shredded mozzarella or provolone.
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Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for approximately 20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly golden, and the chicken is fully cooked through. If the cheese begins to brown too quickly, loosely cover the dish with aluminum foil.
Nutrition
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Essential Kitchen Tools for this Recipe
Having the right kitchen tools can make a significant difference in your cooking experience and the final outcome of your dish. For this Chicken Pizzaiola recipe, here are some of the essential utensils and equipment I used, along with a brief explanation of why they are helpful:
- A Good Pair of Knives: Sharp knives are indispensable for safely and efficiently slicing chicken breast into even strips and finely dicing your red onion and garlic. Quality knives ensure precise cuts, which contribute to even cooking.
- Cutting Board: A sturdy cutting board is necessary for all your chopping needs, protecting your countertops and providing a stable surface for food preparation.
- Brushes, Spatulas, and Other Cooking Utensils: A heat-resistant spatula is perfect for stirring the sauce and scraping up flavorful browned bits from the pan. Tongs are useful for flipping chicken pieces.
- Oven Dish and Roasting Pan: An appropriate-sized oven-safe dish or roasting pan is crucial for baking the Chicken Pizzaiola. Choose one that comfortably fits all your chicken and sauce without being too crowded. A cast-iron skillet can also double as both a frying pan and an oven dish.
- Frying Pan: A large, heavy-bottomed frying pan or skillet is essential for browning the chicken and sautéing the aromatics for the sauce. A good non-stick or cast-iron pan will ensure even heat distribution and prevent sticking.
- Sheet Pan, Baking Tray, or Baking Sheet: While not strictly essential if your oven dish is large enough for prep, a baking sheet can be useful for organizing ingredients or holding cooked chicken before assembly.
- Baking Paper or Baking Mat: If you’re using a lighter oven dish or want to ensure easy cleanup, lining it with baking paper (parchment paper) or a reusable baking mat can prevent sticking and make serving a breeze.
Investing in quality kitchen tools will not only make preparing dishes like Chicken Pizzaiola easier but will also enhance your overall cooking enjoyment. Happy cooking!