Baked Cheesy Spicy Tomato Basil Chicken and Broccolini

Pan-seared Italian herbed-rubbed chicken breast cooked in a homemade spicy Calabrian pepper fire-roasted tomato sauce with fresh basil and a splash of white wine, topped with mozzarella cheese and baked until golden brown and bubbly, then served with steamed crisp broccolini for an incredible tomato basil chicken recipe.

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• A Simple, Delicious Meal
• Ingredients with Steps
• Instructions with Pictures
• Suggested Sides
• Substitutions
• Variations
• Equipment
• Storage
• Cooking Tip
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Chicken Recipes
• Italian Recipes
• 📖 Recipe
• Video
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A Simple, Delicious Meal

This Baked Cheesy Spicy Tomato Basil Chicken and Broccolini is a perfect quick dinner option combining pan-seared Italian herbed chicken breast with spicy Calabrian pepper, fire-roasted tomato sauce, fresh basil, and a splash of white wine.

This easy recipe is both delicious and convenient, made with melty mozzarella cheese and baked until golden brown and bubbly, making it a great recipe for busy weeknights or a quick meal that can be enjoyed the following day.

Served with steamed crisp broccolini, this dish offers a balanced, flavorful meal that’s sure to become a household favorite.

Insalata Caprese

The Caprese salad, known as "Insalata Caprese" in Italian, originates from the island of Capri, which is located in the Campania region of Italy. This simple yet delicious salad is traditionally made with ripe tomatoes, fresh mozzarella cheese, basil leaves, olive oil, salt, and pepper, representing the colors of the Italian flag.

Its history dates back to the early 20th century, when it first appeared in the 1920s as a patriotic dish, celebrating the vibrant ingredients typical of Italian cuisine. The emphasis on fresh, high-quality ingredients in the Caprese salad has greatly influenced many recipes, including this Baked Cheesy Spicy Tomato Basil Chicken.

This chicken dish uses fresh basil and mozzarella cheese to mirror the classic flavors of the Caprese salad with broccolini to keep that traditional red, white, and green look.

The Tomato

I can't live without the tomato! Tomatoes have a central role in Italian cuisine, having been brought to Europe from the Americas in the 16th century. Initially met with skepticism, they gradually became a staple ingredient, transforming Italian cooking with their versatility and rich flavor. Over time, tomatoes have become essential components of numerous Italian dishes, from sauces like marinara to fresh salads like

Caprese. Italy and countries worldwide now produce many tomato varieties, each prized for specific culinary uses: San Marzano tomatoes are renowned for their sweet, robust flavor and low acidity, perfect for sauces; cherry tomatoes add a burst of sweetness to salads and pasta; and Roma tomatoes are favored for their dense flesh and minimal seeds, ideal for canning and sauces. 

More Tasty Recipes to Try

• Italian Chicken Sausage Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms with Burrata
• Spicy Honey Jalapeno Lime Chicken with Broccolini
• Easy Spicy Calabrian Pepper Tomato Chicken Chowder
• Homemade Easy Spicy Basil Pesto
• Calabrian Pepper Basil Baked Salmon and Broccolini

Ingredients with Steps

Begin by preheating the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit and making shallow, diagonal slits on the boneless, skinless chicken breasts. Rub them with olive oil, Italian herb seasoning, kosher salt, and ground black pepper.

Sear the chicken in a skillet until golden brown, then set aside. In the same skillet, sauté chopped onion and garlic, add halved Campari tomatoes, crushed fire-roasted tomatoes, Calabrian pepper, and white wine (preferably Sauvignon Blanc), and simmer until thickened.

Stir in fresh torn basil and season with salt and pepper. Place the seared chicken on top of the sauce, sprinkle with low-moisture mozzarella cheese, and bake for 20-25 minutes until the chicken is cooked and the cheese is bubbly and golden. Steam the broccolini for 3 minutes towards the end of baking, then serve the chicken and sauce with the steamed broccolini.

Culinary Glossary

This section provides concise definitions of key ingredients and techniques to enhance understanding and improve cooking skills related to this recipe. Check out the live Culinary Glossary here.

• Italian Herb Seasoning - a blend of dried oregano, thyme, rosemary, basil, marjoram, and sometimes sage and parsley.
• Campari Tomatoes - Small, round, and juicy tomatoes known for their sweetness and low acidity, available at most grocery stores.
• Calabrian Pepper Paste - Spicy, flavorful peppers from the Calabria region of Italy, sold as chopped peppers in oil and pairs well wtih European and Mediterranean dishes.
• Sauvignon Blanc - A crisp, aromatic white wine known for its green and citrus flavors, often with herbal notes that pair well wtih spicy dishes.
• Broccolini - A green vegetable similar to broccoli but with smaller florets and longer, thin stalks, offering a tender and slightly sweet flavor.
• Low-Moisture Mozzarella Cheese - A type of mozzarella with reduced moisture content, providing a firmer texture and better-melting properties, ideal for baking and cooking.
• Flat Leaf Parsley - A variety of parsley with flat, broad leaves known for its bright, slightly peppery flavor.

See the baked tomato mozzarella chicken breast recipe card for quantities below.

Instructions with Pictures

Follow the instructions and cooking tips below using the step-by-step picture guide.

Busy Folks - Become a better home cook with tips to help you cook more efficiently on the Cook's Notebook tab. Click here for an extended Culinary Glossary.

Suggested Sides

Try serving this tomato basil chicken dish with toasty garlicky crusty bread and a mixed big green salad with your favorite toppings, balsamic vinegar, and extra virgin olive oil.  If you don't like balsamic, use red wine vinegar.

Substitutions

Dairy-Free

• Low-Moisture Mozzarella Cheese - Use non-dairy mozzarella cheese, usually made from ingredients like almonds, coconut, cashews, tapioca and rice milk.

Gluten-Free

• This chicken recipe is already gluten-free.

Vegetarian

• Skinless Chicken Breast - Try using large fresh portobello mushrooms, king trumpet, or oyster mushrooms for a meaty texture to stand up to the thick tomato sauce and crisp broccolini.

Convenience

• Italian Herb Seasoning - Use what's in your pantry, like a mixture of oregano, thyme, or rosemary, all together or by itself.  Just a little rosemary so it doesn't overpower the dish.  Or use basil pesto to season the chicken.
• Chopped Garlic - Buy peeled garlic cloves, blend them all in the food processor, and store them in an air-tight container.
• Campari Tomatoes - I choose these tomatoes for their low acidity and sweetness, but you can substitute them with whatever you want, from plum tomatoes to cherry.  Just make sure to cut them into even 1-inch pieces.
• Calabrian Chili Pepper Paste - Substitute with red pepper flakes.
• Low-Moisture Mozzarella - Use fresh even though this will not brown well.  Or use a different cheese like feta cheese or provolone.
• Skinless Boneless Chicken Breasts - You can use boneless chicken thighs.  Use boneless to reduce the cooking time.
• Crushed Fire-Roasted Tomatoes - Use tomato puree, but keep in mind that the acidity level will be a little bit higher and will need more time to cook.

Change Heat Level - Modify the recipe's heat level to your liking and learn more about the Scoville Scale and Chili Pairings.

Variations

• Sweet and Tangy - Add sun-dried tomatoes to the sauce and finish with a balsamic vinegar glaze.
• Chicken Pasta Bake - Just add your favorite cooked pasta, like penne or spaghetti, to the tomato sauce when assembled to bake.
• More Cheese - Add grated or shredded parmesan cheese to the shredded mozzarella.
• More Veggies - Add large diced red bell peppers to the tomato sauce.

Equipment

• Mixing Bowl - Used to season the chicken since it has olive oil; trying this on a cutting board may be messy.  To develop this recipe, I used my favorite Pyrex Glass Mixing Bowl, which is microwave, freezer, and dishwasher safe.
• Steamer - Used for steaming the broccolini. I used my Oster Stainless Steel Steamer.  I fill up the base with water, cover it with a lid, and place the vegetables in the basket on the side.  When it is ready, place the basket on top and cover.  The broccoli cooks in 3 minutes!
• Large Saute Pan - Use an oven-safe large skillet with tall sides.  You will need a pan large enough to fit all the chicken and with tall sides to hold the sauce and evenly bake the food in the oven.  I used the 4-quart All-Clad D3 3-Ply Stainless Steel Sauté Pan.  If you do not have an oven-safe skillet to use, just assemble the tomato sauce, chicken, and mozzarella cheese in a baking dish.

Kitchen Must Haves - Find other tools I use here.

Storage

• Refrigerator - To store in the fridge, place the leftover chicken and broccoli in a shallow 2-inch container to cool down quickly. Then, store it in an airtight container. The meal will last up to four days.
• Freezer - Follow the refrigeration process mentioned above.  But I suggest freezing the chicken breast separately from the sauce.  Then, place it in the freezer in a labeled, airtight container.  To freeze the broccolini, lay them out evenly on a tray, freeze then transfer them to a freezer-sealable bag.

For meal prep, I typically use Freshware Meal Prep Containers.

Airtight Food Containers - I interchange glass food storage containers with plastic clipping lids or wooden push-ins. I always suggest glass storage containers because they can be microwaved, they hold food without staining, and the glass keeps the food at a more stable temperature, keeping it fresher and longer.  Try the OXO Good Grips Smart Seal Glass Rectangle Food Storage Containers or the Pyrex Freshlock Glass Food Storage Containers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Chicken Recipes

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Italian Recipes

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Video

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