Chicken Pizzaiola: An Incredible Ultimate Recipe
Chicken Pizzaiola is a flavorful Italian-inspired dish featuring tender chicken breasts simmered in a savory tomato sauce with herbs, onions, and bell peppers. This easy-to-make skillet recipe delivers a comforting meal perfect for weeknight dinners, garnished with fresh parsley and optional Parmesan cheese for added richness.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Vegetables & Sauce
- 1 large onion, sliced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 bell pepper, sliced (red, green, or yellow)
- 1 (14-ounce) can diced tomatoes
Seasonings & Garnish
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
- Grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
Instructions
- Heat Oil: In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat until shimmering to prepare the pan for cooking the chicken.
- Cook Chicken: Add the chicken breasts to the hot skillet and cook for about 5-6 minutes on each side until they develop a golden-brown crust. Once browned, remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside to prevent overcooking.
- Sauté Vegetables: Using the same skillet, add the sliced onion and bell pepper. Sauté over medium heat until softened and fragrant, approximately 3-4 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute to release its aroma.
- Add Tomatoes and Spices: Pour in the diced tomatoes along with the dried oregano, dried basil, salt, and black pepper. Stir thoroughly to create a well-combined flavorful sauce base.
- Return Chicken: Place the browned chicken breasts back into the skillet on top of the tomato sauce. Spoon some sauce over each piece to ensure even coating.
- Simmer: Reduce the heat to low and cover the skillet. Allow the chicken to simmer gently in the sauce for 20 minutes, or until fully cooked through and tender.
- Serve: Remove the skillet from heat and sprinkle chopped fresh parsley over the dish. Optionally, add grated Parmesan cheese on top for a rich finishing touch before serving.
Notes
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C) for safe consumption.
- Bell peppers can be any color you prefer; red adds sweetness while green offers a slightly bitter note.
- For extra heat, add a pinch of red pepper flakes along with the spices.
- This dish pairs well with pasta, rice, or crusty bread to soak up the delicious sauce.
- Leftovers keep well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and can be reheated gently on the stovetop.
Keywords: Chicken Pizzaiola, Italian chicken recipe, tomato sauce chicken, easy chicken dinner, skillet chicken recipe
