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).
Recipe Notes
You can make this dish a little fancier if you like by grating a bit of parmesan over the mozzarella before broiling/grilling.
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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! 🙂
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! 🙁
[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. 🙂
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! 🙂
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!
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!)
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!
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!
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!
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!
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! 🙂
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!
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!
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! 😉
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! 🙂
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! 🙂
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!) 🙂
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!
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!
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 😉
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!