4- Ingredient Mozzarella Pesto Chicken Bake

If you love classic Italian flavours, you're in for a real treat. This recipe marries the classic grilled chicken breast with the ultimate Italian flavour combination of basil, fresh mozzarella and vine ripened tomatoes. This dish is simply delicious and very easy to make.

Ingredients

4 boneless chicken breasts

1 fresh mozzarella ball

2 vine ripened tomatoes

1 small jar of store bought- basil pesto sauce (or about 200g of homemade basil pesto)

1 bunch of fresh basil (optional)

1 tbsp. grated parmesan (optional)

Olive oil

Salt and Pepper

Makes 4 servings

Requires

1 saucepan or cast iron pan or stovetop grill pan or barbeque

1 sheet pan or baking dish

Estimated cook time

40 minutes

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit

2. Pat chicken breasts dry with a paper towel and season with salt and pepper

3. Using a saucepan (or cast iron pan or stovetop grill pan or barbeque) and about 2 tbsp. of olive oil, sear the chicken breasts for 10 minutes on each side

4. Transfer the chicken breasts to a baking dish or sheet pan

5. Generously spread the pesto sauce on top of each chicken breast

6. Cut the mozzarella and vine ripened tomatoes into 1cm (or about 1/2 an inch) thick slices

7. Layer one slice of mozzarella and two slices of tomatoes on each chicken breast

8. Bake for 15-20 minutes, until mozzarella is melted and chicken is fully cooked

9. Garnish with fresh basil and parmesan (optional)

10. Enjoy!