By Three hundredth post. The household has gone from a fourteen-year-old at a stove with pinto beans for two dollars to four adults plus a baby in a kitchen with a published author and a college junior and a returning brother and a steady husband and a son named Brayden three months old in the bouncer at the kitchen table. The math has compounded.
The recipe Sunday was margherita chicken — baked chicken topped with sliced fresh mozzarella, tomato, and basil, drizzled with balsamic.
The recipe is below.
Margherita Chicken
Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cook Time: 25 minutes | Total Time: 35 minutes | Servings: 4
Ingredients
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 6 oz each)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 cup marinara or crushed tomato sauce
- 4 slices fresh mozzarella (about 1 oz each)
- 1 medium tomato, sliced into 4 rounds
- 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, loosely packed
- 1 tablespoon balsamic glaze (optional, for serving)
Instructions
- Preheat and prep. Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a rimmed baking sheet or oven-safe skillet with foil or lightly grease with cooking spray.
- Season the chicken. Pat chicken breasts dry with paper towels. Brush both sides with olive oil, then season evenly with garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
- Sear for color. Heat an oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Sear chicken for 2–3 minutes per side until golden. If using a baking sheet, skip this step and go straight to the oven for a lighter result.
- Top and bake. Spoon 2 tablespoons of marinara sauce over each breast. Layer a slice of tomato and a slice of fresh mozzarella on top. Transfer to the oven and bake for 18–22 minutes, until chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F and the cheese is melted and lightly golden at the edges.
- Finish and serve. Remove from the oven and let rest 3 minutes. Top each breast with fresh basil leaves and a light drizzle of balsamic glaze if using. Serve immediately — it’s best hot, straight from the pan.
Nutrition (per serving)
Calories: 310 | Protein: 42g | Fat: 12g | Carbs: 5g | Fiber: 1g | Sodium: 520mg