Chicken, Tomato & Mozzarella Bake
Italian style and paleo chicken, mozzarella & tomato recipe. Serves 2.
Who wants a simple easy midweek meal, which is great for either lunch or dinner. This chicken recipe is suitable to share or the extras can be saved for meal prep.
Chicken Mozzarella Tomato Recipe
Low carb and a keto-friendly recipe which packs a hit with its nutrient density and is also beginner skill level to master. From all my years of cooking, I truly believe less is more when it comes to making flavourful homemade food.
Cooking at home should be more functional not a chore and definitely not rocket science. That can also be said in the health and wellness world when we can over analysis nutritional science studies, comparing specific nutrients and argue their 10-20% different values. In whole, you really can not go wrong with eating a wholefood, single ingredient template and eating as nose to tail as possible.
Chicken, Mozzarella & Tomato Recipe Tips
This recipe start to finish is approximately 30 minutes start to finish. There is nothing unusual or “weird” to find when grocery shopping. Again, I would like to preach the importance of buying the highest quality ingredients as possible. Not only it is beneficial for the environment, particularly the soil but also our own health and future generations. opting for pasture-raised meat and local seasonal (ideally organic) plants is the step in the right direction. Try not to stress yourself out with it needing to be 100%. Start with one item per meal and gradually build it up. I too have a budget with my grocery shopping for the week. I manage this by eating a more nose to tail approach and opting for the less glamorous cuts of meat such as chicken thighs, which are featured on this recipe.
Before and After = Chicken, Mozzarella & Tomato Bake
Chicken Mozzarella & Tomato Ingredients
We are using only 8 ingredients for this no-fuss recipe. I like to set no rules with my recipes and instead like to inspire people to use my recipes as a template. If you wish to avoid, swap or add in an ingredient, please feel free to do.
Pasture-raised chicken thighs: If you can get skinless and boneless prepared chicken thighs this will save time. I find that keeping the skin on chicken leaves to an unpleasant slimy taste unless the skin is crisped in a drier dish which this is a more moist and wet dish. I am not too concerned with the organic label when it comes to chicken as there are various regulations in place which are interchangeable where you live.
Buffalo Mozzarella: There is a big difference when opting for buffalo compared to a cows variety. Buffalo milk tastes substantially superior and the extra calories from protein and fat are easily justified. Buffalo mozzarella does cost more so do what works for you.
Chopped Tomatoes: I always try to keep stock of chopped tomatoes or tomato passata. Tomato passata is finely sieved tomatoes void of seeds and skins, although never 100%. it can be more tolerable for those with lectin sensitivity compared to fresh or chopped tomatoes. Tomato passata also comes in glass jars which removes the issues of BPA, Bisphenol A an endocrine disrupter, which disrupts oestrogen metabolism.
Garlic and Red Onion: Great prebiotics, if tolerated. Food tastes better when there are garlic and onion involved especially with an Italian style recipe.
Black Olives: Another great prebiotic and adds colour and extra fat into the recipe.
Fresh Basil: Because it is not true Italian recipe without the kiss of flavour from basil, especially when there is tomato present.
Extra Virgin Olive Oil: I am a big fan of extra virgin olive oil, especially more so in the summer. Extra virgin olive oil contains more polyphenols, especially oleocanthal which helps modulate inflammatory and similar to painkillers. I like to use
Garcia De La Cruz and who have gifted and kept me supplied with their bottles several times.
How to cook Chicken, Mozzarella & Tomato Bake
All you need is a high-quality cooking pan or oven dish. In this recipe, I used my trusted glassware dish. This cookware is one of the safest, non-toxic compared to cast iron, non-stick and over scratched, old baking trays.
The recipe is cooked in the oven exclusively. However, if that is not an option, you are able to cook it on the hob but will need to adjust the liquid quantity and need a lid to cook the chicken thighs through.
Grilled Jerk pork chop recipe below
What to serve with the Chicken, Mozzarella & Tomato Bake?
I like to serve this meal with a simple dressed wild rocket (arugula) or watercress salad. i generally feel that this recipe does not need the addition of carbohydrates but that is just my opinion.
If you fancy adding gluten-free pasta to bolster up the meal, please do. The fat content of the olives, olive oil and mozzarella should be more than enough to keep satisfied for several hours and provide a slow stream of abundant energy.
Jerk pork chops marinade. Ideally for a few hours prior to cooking.
How To Make Healthy Chicken Bake
Total Time: 30 minutes
(5 minutes preparation and 25 minutes cooking time)
Servings: 2
Cooking skill: Easy
Cost Per Serving: £4
Ingredients:
400 grams pasture-raised (free-range) chicken thighs (skinless and boneless)
1 TBSP Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1 medium red onion - finely sliced
3 Garlic cloves -finely sliced
a handful of fresh basil leaves
125 grams Buffalo mozzarella
600 ml of tomato passata or chopped tomatoes
handful of pitted black olives approx 50 grams
Season with salt, black pepper to taste
Method:
Preheat the oven to 200c.
Using a 1.5-inch deep glass over dish or your preferred alternative. Add the olive oil, followed by the red onions and chicken thighs. Put in oven and bake for 8-10 minutes undisturbed.
Remove from oven, the chicken should have taken on colour and the onions softened.
Then, add the tomato passata and garlic. Put the dish back in the oven for another 10-15 minutes.
Then, remove the dish from the oven. Finally, add the last ingredients, black olives and tear the mozzarella into small pieces, dotting them around.
Place the dish back in the oven for a few minutes until the cheese has melted.
Remove from oven. Tear the fresh basil leaves and serve with the below suggestions.
Enjoy!
Optional:
Serving option: Mix a handful of watercress or wild rocket leaves with a splash of apple cider vinegar and extra virgin olive oil. Additionally, serve the recipe with a pasta of choice.
Nutritional Value:
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