Imagine a mouthwatering dish that brings the vibrant flavors of Italy straight to your dinner table with minimal effort and maximum deliciousness. This baked Italian chicken and vegetables recipe is your ticket to a restaurant-quality meal that's so easy to prepare, you'll feel like a professional chef in your own kitchen. Packed with colorful vegetables, tender chicken, and a rich marinara sauce, this recipe is about to become your new go-to weeknight dinner that will have everyone asking for seconds!
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 40 mins
Total Time: 55 mins
Cuisine: Italian
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 4 chicken breasts
- 2 cups mixed vegetables (bell peppers, zucchini, onions)
- 1 cup marinara sauce
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Olive oil for drizzling
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Prepare a large baking dish by lightly greasing it with olive oil or cooking spray.
- Wash and pat dry the chicken breasts. Season both sides generously with salt, pepper, and minced garlic.
- Chop the mixed vegetables into uniform, bite-sized pieces to ensure even cooking. Bell peppers, zucchini, and onions should be roughly 1-inch in size.
- Arrange the seasoned chicken breasts in the center of the baking dish, spreading the chopped vegetables around the chicken.
- Pour the marinara sauce evenly over the chicken and vegetables, ensuring good coverage.
- Drizzle olive oil over the entire dish to help vegetables roast and add extra flavor.
- Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese over the top of the chicken and vegetables.
- Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and place in the preheated oven.
- Bake for 30 minutes covered, then remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 10 minutes to allow the cheese to melt and slightly brown.
- Check that chicken internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) using a meat thermometer.
- Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow juices to redistribute.
- Serve hot, garnishing with fresh basil or parsley if desired.
Tips
- Choose high-quality chicken breasts and ensure they are similar in size for even cooking.
- Cut vegetables into uniform pieces to guarantee consistent roasting and texture.
- Don't skip the foil-covered baking step - it helps keep the chicken moist and tender.
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken reaches the safe internal temperature of 165°F.
- Let the dish rest for 5 minutes after baking to allow juices to redistribute, keeping the chicken succulent.
- For extra flavor, consider adding dried Italian herbs like oregano or basil to your seasoning mix.
- If you want a crispier cheese topping, switch to broil for the last 2-3 minutes of cooking.
- Experiment with different marinara sauces to customize the flavor profile of your dish.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 350kcal
Carbohydrates: 12g
Protein: 35g
Fat: 15g
Saturated Fat: 5g
Cholesterol: 110mg
