Mozzarella-Crusted Chicken with Herbed Tomato Cream

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Succulent chicken breasts baked with a crispy mozzarella crust and swirled with a rich tomato-herb cream sauce, ready in 25 minutes. This american-inspired keto ready in about 25 minutes pairs chicken breasts, mozzarella cheese, heavy cream for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a low-carb week and pairs well with cauliflower rice or roasted green vegetables. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

★ 4.3 (12 ratings) Prep: 8 min Cook: 17 min Serves 4 American cuisine 320 cal/serving
Build a week of meals around this recipe → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Cookware & pots → Shop all kitchen tools →

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 400°F. Pat chicken breasts dry with paper towels, then season both sides with 1/4 tsp salt and 1/8 tsp black pepper.
  2. Step 2: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Sear chicken for 3 minutes per side until golden brown, then transfer skillet to oven.
  3. Step 3: Sprinkle 1/4 cup shredded mozzarella evenly over chicken, then bake for 12-14 minutes until chicken reaches 165°F and cheese is melted and bubbly.
  4. Step 4: While chicken bakes, whisk 1/4 cup heavy cream, 1/2 cup diced tomatoes, 2 minced garlic cloves, and 1 tbsp fresh basil in a small bowl. Remove skillet from oven, top chicken with tomato-cream mixture, and sprinkle remaining 1/4 cup mozzarella on top.
  5. Step 5: Return to oven for 2-3 minutes until cheese melts again and sauce thickens slightly, then let rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Mozzarella-Crusted Chicken with Herbed Tomato Cream take to make?

Total time is about 25 minutes (8 min prep + 17 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Mozzarella-Crusted Chicken with Herbed Tomato Cream?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep chicken breasts from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Mozzarella-Crusted Chicken with Herbed Tomato Cream?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Mozzarella-Crusted Chicken with Herbed Tomato Cream for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

Is Mozzarella-Crusted Chicken with Herbed Tomato Cream keto?

Yes — this recipe is tagged keto based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.

What others are saying

Related recipes