A delicious and creamy Cheesy Mozzarella Chicken with Broccoli recipe that combines tender chicken breasts, fresh broccoli, and a rich garlic sauce topped with melted mozzarella cheese.
Author:Lorenzo Bonucci
Prep Time:15 minutes
Cook Time:30 minutes
Total Time:45 minutes
Yield:4 servings 1x
Category:Main Course
Method:Baking
Cuisine:Italian
Diet:Gluten Free
Ingredients
Scale
680 g boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 teaspoon (5 mL) garlic powder
1 teaspoon (5 mL) Italian seasoning
½ teaspoon (2.5 mL) paprika
½ teaspoon (2.5 mL) salt
½ teaspoon (2.5 mL) black pepper
1 tablespoon (15 mL) olive oil
400 g broccoli florets
1 tablespoon (15 mL) olive oil
¼ teaspoon (1.25 mL) salt
¼ teaspoon (1.25 mL) black pepper
30 g unsalted butter
4 cloves garlic, minced
240 mL heavy cream
120 mL chicken broth
60 g grated Parmesan cheese
½ teaspoon (2.5 mL) Italian seasoning
¼ teaspoon (1.25 mL) black pepper
¼ teaspoon (1.25 mL) salt
180 g shredded mozzarella
30 g grated Parmesan
1 tablespoon (4 g) chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
Preheat the oven: Heat oven to 400°F (200°C). Lightly grease a large baking dish.
Prepare the chicken: If the chicken breasts are thick, slice them horizontally or pound them to an even thickness. Season both sides with garlic powder, Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, and black pepper.
Sear the chicken: Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the chicken for 3–4 minutes per side, until golden. It doesn’t need to be fully cooked yet. Transfer to a plate.
Prepare the broccoli: Toss the broccoli with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Add it to the skillet and sauté for 2–3 minutes.
Make the sauce: Reduce the heat to medium. Add the butter and minced garlic. Cook for about 30 seconds, until fragrant.
Pour in the chicken broth and heavy cream. Stir in the Parmesan, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 2–3 minutes, until slightly thickened.
Combine: Return the chicken to the skillet and arrange the broccoli around it. Spoon some of the creamy sauce over the chicken.
Add the cheese: Sprinkle the mozzarella and remaining Parmesan generously over the chicken and broccoli.
Bake: Transfer the skillet to the oven and bake for 15–20 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Brown the cheese: For a golden top, broil for 1–2 minutes, watching carefully.
Garnish and serve: Sprinkle with fresh parsley and let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
Ensure the chicken is cooked to an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) for safety.
Feel free to add other vegetables like bell peppers or spinach for extra nutrition.
This dish pairs well with rice or pasta for a complete meal.