Description
Enjoy a deliciously tender and flavorful baked chicken Sorrentino, featuring breaded chicken breasts topped with fresh mozzarella, baby spinach, and aromatic herbs, all baked to bubbly perfection in a flavorful marinara sauce.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Breading
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- 1 cup breadcrumbs (preferably Italian-style)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
Toppings and Sauce
- 1 cup marinara sauce
- 8 ounces fresh mozzarella cheese, sliced
- 1 cup fresh baby spinach
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- 1/4 cup olive oil
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to ensure it reaches the perfect temperature for baking the chicken evenly and melting the cheese beautifully.
- Prepare Chicken: Flatten the chicken breasts slightly by placing each between two sheets of plastic wrap and gently pounding them with a mallet or rolling pin to about 1/2 inch thickness for even cooking.
- Setup Breading Station: Arrange three shallow dishes—flour seasoned with salt, pepper, and dried oregano in one, beaten eggs in the second, and breadcrumbs in the third—for coating the chicken systematically.
- Bread the Chicken: Dredge each breast in the seasoned flour, shake off excess, dip into the beaten eggs, letting excess drip off, then coat thoroughly with breadcrumbs and press gently to adhere well.
- Brown the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken breasts without overcrowding and cook each side for 3-4 minutes until golden brown. Work in batches if necessary.
- Layer Spinach: Remove the skillet from heat and evenly layer fresh baby spinach on top of each browned chicken breast.
- Add Sauce and Cheese: Spoon generous amounts of marinara sauce over the spinach, then layer with slices of fresh mozzarella cheese.
- Sprinkle Cheese and Herbs: Evenly sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese along with chopped fresh basil and parsley over the mozzarella layer for enhanced flavor.
- Drizzle and Season: Drizzle balsamic vinegar over the top and add a bit more salt and pepper if desired to elevate the flavor profile.
- Bake: Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes until the chicken is cooked through and the cheese is melted, bubbly, and golden.
- Rest and Serve: Remove from the oven and allow the chicken to rest for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy with pasta or crusty bread for a complete meal.
Notes
- Flattening the chicken ensures even cooking and tender results.
- Using an oven-safe skillet allows easy transfer from stovetop to oven.
- For a crispier crust, use Italian-style breadcrumbs with herbs.
- Resting the chicken after baking helps retain juices and flavor.
- You can substitute fresh basil and parsley with dried herbs if fresh is unavailable.
