Easy Chicken Pizzaiola Recipe: A Burst of Italian Flavor!
Learn how to make Chicken Pizzaiola, a classic Italian dish bursting with flavor! We start with whole chicken breasts, seared to golden perfection to lock in their juices. Using the flavorful fond left in the pan, we build a rich tomato sauce with premium San Marzano tomatoes, fragrant garlic, oregano, and fresh basil.
Ingredients
- 6 chicken breasts
- Salt and freshly cracked black pepper
- Neutral oil e.g., avocado or sunflower oil
- All-purpose flour for dredging
- 3 green bell peppers cut into strips
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 2-3 tbsp tomato paste
- 1-1.5 tsp red chili flakes optional
- ½ cup fortified wine e.g., Marsala or white wine
- 3 cans of whole peeled tomatoes not crushed
- 2 tbsp dried oregano
- Fresh basil leaves generous amount
- 2 balls of fresh mozzarella
- Optional sides pasta mashed potatoes, or crusty bread
Instructions
Prep the Chicken
- Season the chicken breasts generously with salt and pepper on both sides.
- Lightly dredge the chicken in flour to aid browning.
Sear the Chicken
- Heat a large pan over medium heat and add a neutral oil.
- Sear the chicken breasts in the hot pan until golden brown on both sides.
- Do not cook the chicken through; this will happen later in the sauce.
- Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside.
Sauté the Peppers
- In the same pan, add the bell peppers.
- Cook until they begin to soften, scraping up any browned bits (fond) from the bottom of the pan.
Add Garlic, Tomato Paste, and Chili Flakes
- Push the peppers to the sides of the pan and create space in the middle.
- Add minced garlic and cook until fragrant (about 30 seconds).
- Stir in the tomato paste and cook for another 30 seconds.
- Sprinkle in red chili flakes (optional, for heat).
Deglaze the Pan
- Pour in the fortified or white wine.
- Use a spatula to scrape up any remaining fond from the bottom of the pan.
Prepare the Sauce
- Add the canned tomatoes, crushing them slightly with a spoon.
- Stir in oregano, a pinch of salt, and a generous amount of fresh basil.
- Let the sauce simmer for 5–10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
Combine and Bake
- Nestle the seared chicken breasts into the sauce, leaving them partially exposed.
- Tear fresh mozzarella into pieces and place on top of the chicken.
- Garnish with a few fresh basil leaves.
Bake the Dish
- Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F).
- Bake the chicken for 20–30 minutes, or until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 67–68°C (about 155°F).
Serve
- Let the dish cool slightly before serving.
- Pair with pasta, mashed potatoes, or crusty bread to soak up the flavorful sauce.
Tips
- For the best results, use fresh ingredients like basil and mozzarella.
- Adjust the chili flakes to your heat preference or omit them for a milder dish.
- Serve family-style directly from the pan for a rustic presentation.
- Enjoy this simple yet delicious dish bursting with Italian flavors!