MARGHERITA CHICKEN
This margherita chicken has layers of flavors from onion, garlic, tomato, oregano, basil, san marzano tomatoes, and fresh mozzarella cheese. We ran into a pizza parlor around every other corner while we were in New York City. Margherita pizza is often showcased staring at you on the other side of the display case. We had some fun and taste tested a few different pizza shops to see who really serves up the best slice. We tried Artichoke Basille’s Pizza, Joe’s Pizza, and Bleeker Street Pizza. You can say we went hog wild in The Big Apple. But, it was a planned pizza-thon and we don’t feel bad about it!
Every now and then we have a planned “experience meal” where we give ourselves a treat meal out in a new city. This is good for our mental mindset and our physical refeeds and is one of our 5 Easy Tips to Eating Healthy in an RV.
We cook the majority of our meals right inside of our RV using whole ingredients. This margherita chicken recipe is great entrée to cook up when you want to experience the flavors of pizza, minus the after-shame. You can use this chicken to top zucchini noodles, whole wheat pasta, rice, stuff into a whole wheat pita, or alongside some straight up veggies. The possibilities are endless! For another great takeout mimic try my Turkey Egg Roll Skillet next time you are craving Chinese Food.
Margherita Chicken
Ingredients
- 4-6 boneless skinless chicken breasts about 1- 1 ½ pounds total
- salt
- pepper
- dried oregano
- 3 tsp olive oil divided
- ½ white onion diced
- 4 garlic cloves crushed
- 1 can San Marzano tomatoes strained from liquid, liquid reserved, tomatoes hand crushed
- 1 bunch of fresh basil 8-12 leaves reserved for serving
- 2-3 oz fresh mozzarella cheese
- ¼ tsp crushed red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Season the chicken breasts with salt, pepper, and dried oregano on both sides.
- Choose large skillet that has a lid. Heat skillet over medium high heat, add 1 tsp of olive oil, and cook the chicken breasts. Cook about 4-5 minutes on each side, depending on thickness of chicken. Transfer cooked chicken to clean plate and cover with tin foil.
- Return same skillet to stovetop and heat to medium high heat. Add 2 tsp olive oil. Add onion and cook until soft and translucent, about 3-4 minutes. Add garlic and cook for another minute. Add in red pepper flakes. Next, add in the crushed tomatoes and its juices (still reserving the canned juices), and season with salt and pepper. Scrape up any bits stuck onto the pan. Add in a bunch of the basil, reserving 8-12 leaves for plating (about 2 leaves per breast). Reduce heat to low and let simmer for 5 minutes. If more liquid is needed, add in the reserved can juices.
- Add chicken back into the skillet. Let chicken warm through for a minute or two.
- Top each chicken breast with two basil leaves and 1/2 ounce sliced mozzarella. Cover the skillet with lid and let the cheese melt, about 3-4 minutes.
Video
You cut where you smiled at me out the door! 😢
We should have had you pop in for a cameo!