Dinner prep just got a whole lot easier, thanks to this recipe — it allows you to cook frozen chicken breasts without having to thaw them first. You’ll simply pan-fry the chicken until it’s golden brown (don’t worry, the oil won’t spatter), then layer them with fresh tomato slices and mozzarella cheese when they’re partially thawed to lock in the moisture as the chicken finishes cooking. The flavors are inspired by the classic Italian Caprese salad of tomato, mozzarella and basil — here used as a garnish.
| Level: | Easy |
| Total: | 25 min |
| Active: | 15 min |
| Yield: | 4 servings |
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 4 individually frozen boneless, skinless chicken breast halves (about 8 ounces each)
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 1 beefsteak tomato, cut into four 1/4-inch-thick slices
- 8 ounces mozzarella, cut into four 1/4-inch-thick slices
- 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves
Instructions
- Add the olive oil to a large nonstick skillet and heat over medium heat. Gently place the chicken in the skillet and cook, covered, until golden brown on the bottoms, about 10 minutes.
- Flip the chicken, sprinkle with 1 teaspoon salt and 1 teaspoon pepper and top with the tomato and then mozzarella slices. Sprinkle the mozzarella with a pinch of salt and a few grinds of pepper. Cover the skillet and continue to cook until the mozzarella is melted and an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the chicken registers 165 degrees F, about 10 minutes more.
- Top the chicken with the basil before serving.
Nutrition Facts
| Serving Size | 1 of 4 servings |
| Calories | 480 |
| Total Fat | 22 g |
| Saturated Fat | 10 g |
| Carbohydrates | 3 g |
| Dietary Fiber | 1 g |
| Sugar | 1 g |
| Protein | 64 g |
| Cholesterol | 210 mg |
| Sodium | 744 mg |
Reviews
The chicken did cook thru using this method, but it was a kinda tough. The tomato and mozzarella just fell off when you would try to cut through the chicken. I would not make again. Plus fresh mozzarella is very flavorless – it melts but that is about all.
This is an easy delicious chicken dinner for two with leftovers for another meal. Chicken is tender and moist – we don’t care for chicken with any kind of tomato sauce, etc.,,, but we really like this recipe!
Of the first 16 “reviews “ 15…..yes 15……aren’t “reviews “ at all just stars! These “reviews “ aren’t helpful at all and either artificially lower or raise how a recipe is or isn’t! Not fair to the recipe or the author! Tell Food network to stop this practice, please!
Excellent quick dinner for a busy family
I’m making this now and there is a lot of water? I dont know if I should drain so it will brown or what.
Super Quick and Yummy!
totally agree!!!
I am not sure don you put the frozen chicken in the pan or thawed out chick in the pan?? I always have these ingredients in my refrigerator. i am going to cook this as soon as possible. The recipe sounds great, looks great, and fast and easy.