It’s quick. It’s easy. It’s pretty healthy. It only contains 7 ingredients. And best of all, you can cook it in one pan. This cherry tomato and mozzarella chicken is one of my go-to midweek dinners for good reason!
A meal that ticks a lot of boxes
- It’s quick, super easy and uses only 7 simple pantry ingredients (including salt and pepper!).
- It’s healthy, (look at all those tomatoes!).
- It’s relatively economical.
- It’s a crowd pleaser. Who doesn’t love chicken, tomato sauce and oozy cheese?
- Best of all – it’s a ONE PAN MEAL.
Main ingredients you need
Just:
- garlic
- chicken breasts
- cherry tomatoes
- mozzarella cheese
- a drizzle of balsamic vinegar
- basil (and of course salt and pepper)
That’s it.
How to make it
What I really love about this meal is that you only use one pan – excluding your veggie pan.
Just pan-fry chicken breasts for a couple of minutes on each side with some garlic, simmer with cherry tomatoes, balsamic vinegar and basil for a short while, then top with mozzarella and grill.
How easy is that?
This reminds me a bit of chicken parmigiana – but it’s quite a bit simpler and easier.
I make sure there’s lots of sauce!
How to serve
I usually serve this meal with some fresh or frozen vegetables and 2-minute olive oil toasts.
That’s all it needs! Delicious!
More meals for cherry tomato lovers!
- This pan-fried gnocchi with cherry tomato sauce is absolutely delicious. You’ll make it again and again.
- No explanation needed for this 12-minute cherry tomato pasta!
- This one pan chicken, chorizo and cherry tomatoes is always one of the most popular recipes on the blog. Try it and see why!
More 30-minute(ish) meals
- Creamy lemon chicken orzo soup
- Easy baked gnocchi with sausage, peppers and tomatoes
- Moussaka penne (Greek beef and eggplant pasta bake)
- The simplest stovetop chicken and rice
- OR check out all my easy midweek meals!
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One-pan cherry tomato and mozzarella chicken
Ingredients (UK/Australia? Click below for grams/ml)
- 1.5-2 tablespoons a large drizzle of olive oil
- 4 garlic cloves chopped finely
- 2 chicken breasts
- 28 ounces cherry tomatoes (two cans)
- a drizzle of balsamic vinegar
- a handful of fresh basil
- salt and pepper
- 1 mozzarella ball sliced
to serve (optional)
- your choice of fresh or frozen vegetables I served frozen peas and sweetcorn
- toasted or crusty bread I served toasted focaccia
Instructions
- Drizzle the oil into a frying pan/skillet, then heat it up (on a medium heat). Cook the chicken together with the garlic for about 2 minutes on each side.
- Pour the cherry tomatoes into the pan with the balsamic vinegar, most of the basil, and plenty of salt and pepper. Let simmer for about 5 minutes, then turn the chicken over and simmer for another 5 minutes.
- Check that the chicken is cooked all the way through, then top each piece with the mozzarella slices. Pop the pan under the broiler/grill until the cheese is melted and bubbling.
- Divide the sauce between two plates, then top with the chicken and garnish with the rest of the basil. Serve with the vegetables and bread (if using).
Debs says
Love it, have made it 3 times now, its so easy and quick to do. Have tried it with crusty ciabatta which is our favourite drizzled with olive oil. Tried with pasta prefer the bread
Helen says
So happy you enjoy this, Debs! You may also like my crispy pan-fried gnocchi with cherry tomato sauce. It’s a similar sort of recipe I suppose. Vegetarian, but extremely easy and tasty. Thanks for the feedback!
Krystal says
Would it be ok to use fresh cherry tomatoes? I have so many fresh from the garden that i have been wanting to use! I was worried it wouldn’t be as juicy:) Has anyone tried this?
Helen says
Hi Krystal. Oh, definitely! I’d say it’d be even better with home grown cherry tomatoes – do give it a go!
Bam's Kitchen says
So glad you were able to get away! I hope it did not rain and you had some sunny days. Your delicious one pan cherry tomato mozzarella chicken is gorgeous. Loving your photos! I see you have been responding to post lately so I take that as good news that cooking acids in a iron skillet did not become your last supper. Thanks for your dry humor, it made my day. Take care Helen!
Helen says
Hahahahaha … thank you for the lovely compliments, Bam … on the dish and the photos. I did indeed manage to stay alive after the iron skillet fiasco. And I have now seasoned the pan properly, so next time I use it we should be fine 😉
Maggie says
The Wales trip sounds lovely! Me too, sometimes I find hearing people talking in foreign language amusing.
This is such an easy, comforting and beautiful dish. Just like the other recipes you shared, it’s something I’d definitely feel like doing during the busy week. Pinning of course!
Helen says
Thank you so much for the compliments, Maggie … I’m really happy that you like this recipe. And of course, thanks for pinning!
marcie says
How nice your surprise trip sounded! And this meal looks heavenly. That cherry tomato sauce and melty mozzarella over juicy chicken would be the ultimate dinner. Pinned!
Helen says
Thank you so much for pinning this, Marcie … I’m so glad you like it!
Eva says
Quelle aventure Helen! J’adore les surprises surtout quand c’est pour finir dans un B&B dans un beau endroit. Ta recette donne vraiment envie, elle a l’air vraiment savoureuse et réconfortante ! J’aimerais beaucoup connaître ce région!
Helen says
Tu l’aimerais beaucoup, Eva! (Je sais comme tu aimes voyager!) 🙂
Dini @ The Flavor Bender says
I did not know that about cast iron pans!! That is good for me to know for the future 🙂
But man oh man! This looks so delicious!! This is definitely the kind of meal my husband and I would LOVE to eat and crave for too!
We’ve had that experience of going somewhere beautiful but being stuck with fast food (Pizza in our case) until we get back home. I would be very happy with this!
Helen says
Thank you, Dini! This was definitely a winner … one to go on the regular mid-week meal rotation! 🙂
Cheyanne | No Spoon Necessary says
I’ve never been to Wales, but obviously I would LOVE to go! I’ve heard nothing but great things! So glad you and the Mr had a fabulous time on your vacay! Love this chicken dish, my dear! The cherry tomato sauce and that melted mozzarella have me seriously drooling! This looks a billion times better than chicken parm! Can’t wait to try it! Cheers! 😉
Helen says
I hope you get to visit Wales some day, Cheyanne. And I really hope you do give this a go some time soon! 🙂
Dannii @ Hungry Healthy Happy says
I’m glad you had a nice time in Wales, although what a shame about the food. I hate disappointing food!
I love one pot dishes like this, especially when they have so few ingredients too.
Helen says
Yeah … disappointing food on trips is no good at all for us foodies! 😉
THE HUNGRY MUM says
Love a one pan meal! This looks fancy enough to serve up for when mum-in-law comes over for dinner.And yes to mozzarella!
Helen says
Thanks, Hungry Mum! I agree that this is a great meal to cook for guests. Easy … but quite impressive!
Laura ~ Raise Your Garden says
Ok, it’s official. I’m getting on a plane and crossing the pond to eat this at your place! Oh my. Swooning with delight. This is my kind of meal and I have no words. Just starving tonight and obviously ate too much of my kids candy and not enough real food. The cheese swirling in that sauce. Oh yum.
Helen says
OK, Laura, I’m waiting for you! 🙂
Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella says
What a cute sounding weekend! But it’s a bit of a shame when the food disappoints. Luckily you had this to come home to! 😀
Helen says
Yeah. Must have been a REALLY good trip, because otherwise I would have been very depressed by the lack of good food!
Kathleen | Hapa Nom Nom says
Oh my gosh, what a wonderful getaway! Mr. Scrummy gets big bonus points in the romance department 😉 This dish looks amazing. Helen! This is my idea of amazing comfort food. And I agree with Marissa, this would be great as leftovers over pasta…. if there are any leftovers 🙂
Helen says
Yup, he sure did get those brownie points! So glad you like this, Kathleen … I agree that it’s comfort food, but healthier than the norm, thank goodness!
Fareeha says
wow, this is just so incredible.. love it.. the pictures are just so amazing and out of the world..
Helen says
Thank you so much, Fareeha! Really appreciate your lovely compliment!
Amanda @ Once Upon a Recipe says
How sweet of Mr. Scrummy to plan a surprise getaway! And this chicken looks amazing – love that it’s made in one pan too!
Helen says
Yes, I’m a very lucky girl! Thank you, Amanda!
mira says
Glad you guys had a great time!This dish is perfect for me- one pan, right now, when I can only use my right hand. Love the flavors! I recently saw a similar dish on the menu at a restaurant and I regret not ordering it. Will try this one!
Helen says
Awww, Mira! I feel terrible for you right now! Glad you like the meal, though, and hope you give it a go!
Marissa | Pinch and Swirl says
You’re so funny, Helen – “If I don’t post recipes anymore, you’ll know what happened.” 🙂 So romantic of Mr. Scrummy to plan a surprise getaway…
I love this kind of one-pot meal that simple, but also so flavorful. I bet the leftovers would be great tossed with pasta or served over rice the next day too. Definitely bookmarking this one to try.
Helen says
It was, wasn’t it? I got thoroughly spoilt, that’s for sure.
That’s a great idea to toss leftovers over pasta. I actually do have a bit (just a bit!) of leftover sauce and you’ve reminded me to do something with it soon! (I might spread it in a grilled cheese sandwich … mmm!)
cheri says
Hi Helen, I heard the same thing about cast-iron, looks delicious though, I love one pan meals. Sounds like you an Mr Scrummy have a great time traveling.
Helen says
Thanks, Cheri! I have now ‘seasoned’ my cast-iron, so hopefully I won’t poison us next time!
Kelley @ Chef Savvy says
This chicken looks fantastic and so cheesy! Love that its made in one pan too!
Helen says
Hi Kelley! Thanks so much for popping by and saying nice things about this meal! 🙂
[email protected] says
There is nothing I don’t love about this dish. Pass the crusty bread I want to mop up that sauce.
Helen says
Oooh, now you are making me hungry, Janette. Could just eat this again right now with loads of that crusty bread. 🙂
ann says
a definite goer, thank you.
And YES, c’mon Aussie c’mon c’mon
Helen says
Thanks Ann! Hope you give this a go. I’m watching the match right now … boo hooo, Aussies losing! 🙁
Bintu @ Recipes From A Pantry says
OMG I am watching that mozzarella melt in your recipe and thinking what would I not do to have a bite.
Helen says
Ha! I know … I’m feeling hungry again now just thinking about it! 🙂