Last Updated on
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 my superstar meal of the month!
This past weekend, Mr. Scrummy and I went on a ‘mystery tour’. By this I mean that Mr. Scrummy booked a B&B, and I had no idea where we were going until … well, to be honest until about half way there when it was pretty obvious from the road signs where we were headed.
So now you’re just dying to know where we went, so I’ll put you out of your misery – we went to Snowdonia in North Wales. Where, in case you didn’t know, many of the locals speak Welsh, not English, as their first language. I did know this, but still somehow found it surprising to hear a table of young people chatting away in this strange native language just an hour or so away from the English border.
If you haven’t been to this region, you really should if you ever get the chance – especially in Autumn. The trees in the valleys are just stunning at this time of year – just like the pictures of New England I’ve seen – and it’s a hiker’s heaven, if that’s something that floats your boat.
Unless of course you’re following a self-guided walk like we were and getting lost right at the beginning (“You’ll see a stone cottage up ahead – here, take a sharp right.” Now would that be the sharp right when you see the cottage or actually at the cottage? Ahem. You get the picture …)
It was a lovely weekend, but to be honest one thing that wasn’t so perfect was the food. Just nothing all that special, and by the time we got home we were both craving a meal that wasn’t a burger and fries or a cheese sandwich.
So this meal ticked all the boxes! It’s quick, super easy with only 7 ingredients (including salt and pepper!), healthy, and even relatively cheap.
What I really love about it though 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. As usual, I made sure there’s lots of sauce! We even had a tiny bit left which I intend to smear on a pizza this weekend while we’re watching the rugby world cup final (Come on you Aussies!).
One final word about this – don’t use a cast-iron pan like I did. I really love this pan, but apparently you aren’t supposed to cook acidic food (yup, like tomato sauce) in it because it reacts with the metal. So yes, I have probably poisoned myself and Mr. Scrummy with this meal. If I don’t post any more recipes for a while (or ever) you know what happened.
One-pan cherry tomato and mozzarella chicken
Ingredients
- 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).
Notes
Nutrition
You can also find more from Scrummy Lane on Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter and Instagram and follow me on Bloglovin! Thanks so much for reading!
*This post may contain affiliate links which means that if you click on a link and make a purchase I get a small percentage of the amount you spend. At no extra cost to you, of course! Thank you!*
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! 🙂