Pan-seared Italian herbed-rubbed chicken breast cooked in a homemade spicy Calabrian pepper fire-roasted tomato sauce with fresh basil and a splash of white wine, topped with mozzarella cheese and baked until golden brown and bubbly, then served with steamed crisp broccolini for an incredible tomato basil chicken recipe.
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A Simple, Delicious Meal
This Baked Cheesy Spicy Tomato Basil Chicken and Broccolini is a perfect quick dinner option combining pan-seared Italian herbed chicken breast with spicy Calabrian pepper, fire-roasted tomato sauce, fresh basil, and a splash of white wine.
This easy recipe is both delicious and convenient, made with melty mozzarella cheese and baked until golden brown and bubbly, making it a great recipe for busy weeknights or a quick meal that can be enjoyed the following day.
Served with steamed crisp broccolini, this dish offers a balanced, flavorful meal that’s sure to become a household favorite.
Insalata Caprese
The Caprese salad, known as "Insalata Caprese" in Italian, originates from the island of Capri, which is located in the Campania region of Italy. This simple yet delicious salad is traditionally made with ripe tomatoes, fresh mozzarella cheese, basil leaves, olive oil, salt, and pepper, representing the colors of the Italian flag.
Its history dates back to the early 20th century, when it first appeared in the 1920s as a patriotic dish, celebrating the vibrant ingredients typical of Italian cuisine. The emphasis on fresh, high-quality ingredients in the Caprese salad has greatly influenced many recipes, including this Baked Cheesy Spicy Tomato Basil Chicken.
This chicken dish uses fresh basil and mozzarella cheese to mirror the classic flavors of the Caprese salad with broccolini to keep that traditional red, white, and green look.
The Tomato
I can't live without the tomato! Tomatoes have a central role in Italian cuisine, having been brought to Europe from the Americas in the 16th century. Initially met with skepticism, they gradually became a staple ingredient, transforming Italian cooking with their versatility and rich flavor. Over time, tomatoes have become essential components of numerous Italian dishes, from sauces like marinara to fresh salads like
Caprese. Italy and countries worldwide now produce many tomato varieties, each prized for specific culinary uses: San Marzano tomatoes are renowned for their sweet, robust flavor and low acidity, perfect for sauces; cherry tomatoes add a burst of sweetness to salads and pasta; and Roma tomatoes are favored for their dense flesh and minimal seeds, ideal for canning and sauces.
More Tasty Recipes to Try
- Italian Chicken Sausage Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms with Burrata
- Spicy Honey Jalapeno Lime Chicken with Broccolini
- Easy Spicy Calabrian Pepper Tomato Chicken Chowder
- Homemade Easy Spicy Basil Pesto
- Calabrian Pepper Basil Baked Salmon and Broccolini
Ingredients with Steps
Begin by preheating the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit and making shallow, diagonal slits on the boneless, skinless chicken breasts. Rub them with olive oil, Italian herb seasoning, kosher salt, and ground black pepper.
Sear the chicken in a skillet until golden brown, then set aside. In the same skillet, sauté chopped onion and garlic, add halved Campari tomatoes, crushed fire-roasted tomatoes, Calabrian pepper, and white wine (preferably Sauvignon Blanc), and simmer until thickened.
Stir in fresh torn basil and season with salt and pepper. Place the seared chicken on top of the sauce, sprinkle with low-moisture mozzarella cheese, and bake for 20-25 minutes until the chicken is cooked and the cheese is bubbly and golden. Steam the broccolini for 3 minutes towards the end of baking, then serve the chicken and sauce with the steamed broccolini.
Culinary Glossary
This section provides concise definitions of key ingredients and techniques to enhance understanding and improve cooking skills related to this recipe. Check out the live Culinary Glossary here.
- Italian Herb Seasoning - a blend of dried oregano, thyme, rosemary, basil, marjoram, and sometimes sage and parsley.
- Campari Tomatoes - Small, round, and juicy tomatoes known for their sweetness and low acidity, available at most grocery stores.
- Calabrian Pepper Paste - Spicy, flavorful peppers from the Calabria region of Italy, sold as chopped peppers in oil and pairs well wtih European and Mediterranean dishes.
- Sauvignon Blanc - A crisp, aromatic white wine known for its green and citrus flavors, often with herbal notes that pair well wtih spicy dishes.
- Broccolini - A green vegetable similar to broccoli but with smaller florets and longer, thin stalks, offering a tender and slightly sweet flavor.
- Low-Moisture Mozzarella Cheese - A type of mozzarella with reduced moisture content, providing a firmer texture and better-melting properties, ideal for baking and cooking.
- Flat Leaf Parsley - A variety of parsley with flat, broad leaves known for its bright, slightly peppery flavor.
See the baked tomato mozzarella chicken breast recipe card for quantities below.
Instructions with Pictures
Follow the instructions and cooking tips below using the step-by-step picture guide.
Making slits into the chicken will create surface space for the seasoning and cooks it quicker.
Always brown skin side down, leaving space between each piece; this allows even browning and no steaming.
Brown meat does not lock in juice. Its purpose is to create more flavor in the process known as the Maillard reaction.
Adding the chicken straight into the browned bits, known as fond, left by the chicken is also a flavor that shouldn't be wasted.
The garlic is added after the onions since they don't take long to brown.
Fresh tomatoes like Campari, which is low in acidity, are a great way to add freshness and not rawness to the dish.
For quick sauces, use fire-roasted tomatoes, which add a ton of flavor. And build flavor with the Calabrian peppers and white wine.
Fresh herbs like basil are added last for an elevated brightness.
The chicken will cook in the sauce in the oven, leaving space between the pieces.
You can use fresh mozzarella, but it does not brown as well as shredded.
Busy Folks - Become a better home cook with tips to help you cook more efficiently on the Cook's Notebook tab. Click here for an extended Culinary Glossary.
Suggested Sides
Try serving this tomato basil chicken dish with toasty garlicky crusty bread and a mixed big green salad with your favorite toppings, balsamic vinegar, and extra virgin olive oil. If you don't like balsamic, use red wine vinegar.
Substitutions
Dairy-Free
- Low-Moisture Mozzarella Cheese - Use non-dairy mozzarella cheese, usually made from ingredients like almonds, coconut, cashews, tapioca and rice milk.
Gluten-Free
- This chicken recipe is already gluten-free.
Vegetarian
- Skinless Chicken Breast - Try using large fresh portobello mushrooms, king trumpet, or oyster mushrooms for a meaty texture to stand up to the thick tomato sauce and crisp broccolini.
Convenience
- Italian Herb Seasoning - Use what's in your pantry, like a mixture of oregano, thyme, or rosemary, all together or by itself. Just a little rosemary so it doesn't overpower the dish. Or use basil pesto to season the chicken.
- Chopped Garlic - Buy peeled garlic cloves, blend them all in the food processor, and store them in an air-tight container.
- Campari Tomatoes - I choose these tomatoes for their low acidity and sweetness, but you can substitute them with whatever you want, from plum tomatoes to cherry. Just make sure to cut them into even 1-inch pieces.
- Calabrian Chili Pepper Paste - Substitute with red pepper flakes.
- Low-Moisture Mozzarella - Use fresh even though this will not brown well. Or use a different cheese like feta cheese or provolone.
- Skinless Boneless Chicken Breasts - You can use boneless chicken thighs. Use boneless to reduce the cooking time.
- Crushed Fire-Roasted Tomatoes - Use tomato puree, but keep in mind that the acidity level will be a little bit higher and will need more time to cook.
Change Heat Level - Modify the recipe's heat level to your liking and learn more about the Scoville Scale and Chili Pairings.
Variations
- Sweet and Tangy - Add sun-dried tomatoes to the sauce and finish with a balsamic vinegar glaze.
- Chicken Pasta Bake - Just add your favorite cooked pasta, like penne or spaghetti, to the tomato sauce when assembled to bake.
- More Cheese - Add grated or shredded parmesan cheese to the shredded mozzarella.
- More Veggies - Add large diced red bell peppers to the tomato sauce.
Equipment
- Mixing Bowl - Used to season the chicken since it has olive oil; trying this on a cutting board may be messy. To develop this recipe, I used my favorite Pyrex Glass Mixing Bowl, which is microwave, freezer, and dishwasher safe.
- Steamer - Used for steaming the broccolini. I used my Oster Stainless Steel Steamer. I fill up the base with water, cover it with a lid, and place the vegetables in the basket on the side. When it is ready, place the basket on top and cover. The broccoli cooks in 3 minutes!
- Large Saute Pan - Use an oven-safe large skillet with tall sides. You will need a pan large enough to fit all the chicken and with tall sides to hold the sauce and evenly bake the food in the oven. I used the 4-quart All-Clad D3 3-Ply Stainless Steel Sauté Pan. If you do not have an oven-safe skillet to use, just assemble the tomato sauce, chicken, and mozzarella cheese in a baking dish.
Kitchen Must Haves - Find other tools I use here.
Storage
- Refrigerator - To store in the fridge, place the leftover chicken and broccoli in a shallow 2-inch container to cool down quickly. Then, store it in an airtight container. The meal will last up to four days.
- Freezer - Follow the refrigeration process mentioned above. But I suggest freezing the chicken breast separately from the sauce. Then, place it in the freezer in a labeled, airtight container. To freeze the broccolini, lay them out evenly on a tray, freeze then transfer them to a freezer-sealable bag.
For meal prep, I typically use Freshware Meal Prep Containers.
Airtight Food Containers - I interchange glass food storage containers with plastic clipping lids or wooden push-ins. I always suggest glass storage containers because they can be microwaved, they hold food without staining, and the glass keeps the food at a more stable temperature, keeping it fresher and longer. Try the OXO Good Grips Smart Seal Glass Rectangle Food Storage Containers or the Pyrex Freshlock Glass Food Storage Containers.
Cooking Tip
For an amazing bubbly golden brown cheese topping, use shredded mozzarella cheese that says "low-moisture" for best results.
Your Cooking Tips Resource Guide - Become a better home cook with tips to help you cook more efficiently on the Cook's Notebook tab. Click here for an extended live Culinary Glossary.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can substitute mozzarella with other cheeses like provolone, fontina, or even a mild white cheddar. Just ensure the cheese melts well and complements the flavors of the spicy tomato basil sauce. I highly suggest using provolone cheese since it has similar properties to mozzarella.
You can prepare the chicken and sauce, assemble it in a baking dish, and store it in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours before baking. When ready to serve, bake it as instructed, ensuring it's heated through and the cheese is bubbly. You will need to compensate time for the fridge-cooled dish.
If Calabrian peppers are unavailable, you can substitute them with red pepper flakes or a similar spicy chili paste like harissa or sriracha, adjusting the quantity to match your desired level of spiciness.
Chicken Recipes
Looking for other chicken recipes like this? Try these:
- Creamy Chicken Corn Chowder with Dumplings | Dairy-Free
- Best Peach Piri Piri Chicken with Fonio Kale Salad
- Lemongrass Marinated Grilled Chicken Spring Rolls
- Spicy Greek Chicken Meatball Rice Bowl
Italian Recipes
Looking for other Italian recipes like this? Try these:
- One-Pot Curry Meatball Soup with Ground Turkey and Kale
- Creamy Spinach Pesto Mushroom Lasagna
- Calabrian Pepper Salmon with Creamy Lemon Dill Sauce
- Grilled Zhug Ras El Hanout Lamb Chops and Tomato Salad
📖 Recipe
Baked Cheesy Spicy Tomato Basil Chicken and Broccolini
Ingredients
Chicken Breast
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 teaspoons Italian herb seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
Tomato Basil Sauce
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium onion finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 8 fresh Campari tomatoes halved
- 1 can 14.5 ounces crushed fire-roasted tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons Calabrian pepper paste
- ½ cup white wine
- ¼ cup fresh basil leaves large chopped
- Salt and pepper to taste
For the Dish
- 1 bunch fresh broccolini trimmed
- 1 cup shredded low-fat mozzarella cheese
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley chopped
Equipment
Instructions
- Save time in the kitchen: Read the instructions thoroughly, then gather and prep all your ingredients before cooking! Learn Prepping Tips.
- Prepare the Chicken: Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Make shallow, diagonal slits on the top of each chicken breast in a diamond pattern. This will help the herbs penetrate the meat and create a nice texture.
- Mix the olive oil, Italian herb seasoning, salt, and pepper in a small bowl. Rub this mixture all over the chicken breasts, ensuring they are well coated.
- Brown the Chicken: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken breasts and sear for 3 to 4 minutes per side until golden brown. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Make the Tomato Basil Sauce: Add olive oil and chopped onion in the same skillet. Sauté for about 2 minutes until the onion is soft and translucent. Then, add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- Add the diced Campari tomatoes and cook for about 3-5 minutes until they start to soften. Then, pour in the crushed fire-roasted tomatoes, Calabrian pepper, and white wine. Stir well and bring to a simmer. Let the sauce cook for about 5 minutes until slightly thickened.
- Finally, Stir in the chopped fresh basil and season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Prepare to Bake the Chicken: Place the seared chicken breasts on top of the tomato sauce. Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the chicken.
- Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked at an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit and the cheese is melted golden brown and bubbly.
- Serve the Dish: To serve, steam the broccolini for 3 minutes closer to the end time of the baked chicken. Then, remove the skillet from the oven and rest for a few minutes.
- Plate the tomato sauce and broccolini and top with the chicken breasts. Then, garnish with chopped fresh parsley before serving.
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Nutrition
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Have a Comment or Question?
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Mark says
Delicious and easy to make
Maika says
Thank you. Yes! This has to be one of my favorite when it comes to easy one pot meals. I'm glad you enjoyed it.