Description
Spicy Baked Chicken Arrabbiata is a flavorful and easy weeknight dinner featuring tender chicken breasts baked in a zesty tomato sauce infused with garlic, red chili flakes, and Italian herbs, topped with melted Parmesan and fresh parsley, perfect served with pasta or crusty bread.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Arrabbiata Sauce:
- 2 cups crushed tomatoes
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 1-2 teaspoons red chili flakes (adjust to taste)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Toppings and Garnish:
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Fresh parsley, chopped for garnish
Serving Suggestions (Optional):
- Cooked pasta or crusty bread for serving
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) to prepare for baking the chicken.
- Sauté Aromatics: In a skillet over medium heat, warm the olive oil. Sauté the finely chopped onion until softened and translucent, about 3-4 minutes.
- Add Garlic and Chili: Stir in the minced garlic and red chili flakes and cook for an additional minute until fragrant, enhancing the sauce’s spiciness.
- Simmer Sauce: Add the crushed tomatoes, dried oregano, dried basil, salt, and pepper to the skillet. Simmer the sauce for about 10 minutes, allowing it to thicken and develop flavor.
- Season Chicken: While the sauce simmers, season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper on both sides.
- Assemble Dish: Place the seasoned chicken breasts in a baking dish and pour the prepared spicy tomato sauce evenly over them.
- Add Cheese: Sprinkle the grated Parmesan cheese evenly over the chicken and sauce to create a flavorful, melty topping.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through and the cheese is golden and bubbly.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove the baking dish from the oven. Garnish the chicken with freshly chopped parsley and serve hot with cooked pasta or crusty bread to soak up the delicious sauce.
Notes
- For an extra kick, add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the sauce or use fresh chopped chili instead of flakes.
- You can swap the chicken breasts for thighs if preferred, which will keep the dish more moist.
- Leftovers reheat well and the flavors deepen overnight.
- For a low-carb option, serve the chicken and sauce over zoodles or roasted vegetables.
