Oven-baked chicken breast with tomato and cheese

Ingredients

• 1chicken breast
• 1ripe tomato
• to tastegrated cheese
• to tastefresh basil
• to tasteolive oil
• to tasteground black pepper
• to tastesalt

Instructions

1. 1

   Preheat the oven

   Heat the oven to 180°C.

2. 2

   Slice the chicken

   If using a whole chicken breast, cut it into fillets that are not too thin. Season them with salt and pepper; add any extra seasoning you like, if desired.

3. 3

   Arrange the chicken

   Drizzle a little olive oil over the base of an ovenproof dish and lay the chicken fillets on top.

4. 4

   Add the tomato

   Wash the tomato and cut it into fairly thick slices. Place them over the chicken and lightly salt each slice.

5. 5

   Top with cheese

   Scatter a generous amount of grated cheese over the tomato. Choose the cheese you prefer, such as mozzarella or a mixture.

6. 6

   Bake until golden

   Wash the basil leaves and arrange them over the cheese. Bake for about 15 minutes, depending on your oven, until the chicken is cooked and the cheese is gratinated with a little crispness.

7. 7

   Serve the chicken

   Take the dish out of the oven when the cheese is ready, then serve.

What is oven-baked chicken breast with tomato and cheese?

This is a straightforward baked chicken dish topped with tomato, grated cheese and fresh basil. It draws on familiar Mediterranean flavours, pairing olive oil, tomato and herbs with mild chicken.

The topping helps keep the chicken moist while the cheese melts and browns. Here, thick tomato slices and a short bake make the layers easy to assemble.

Nutrition and macros by portion

The nutrition label shows one serving as written: 450 calories, 0g protein, 0g carbs, 0g fat.

The chicken supplies most of the protein, while the cheese contributes fat and some protein. The tomato adds a small amount of carbohydrate, and the olive oil and cheese provide much of the fat; serve with vegetables and a modest portion of potatoes or rice to round out the plate.

Choosing the ingredients

Chicken breast: Cut a whole breast into fillets that are not excessively thin, so they do not dry out too quickly in the oven.

Tomato and cheese: A ripe tomato gives the topping a juicy, fresh flavour. Use the grated cheese you enjoy; mozzarella or a cheese blend are both suggested options.

Getting the layers right

Oiled dish: A small drizzle over the base helps prevent the chicken sticking as it bakes.

Even topping: Arrange the tomato slices over the chicken, season them lightly, then spread the cheese across the top so it can melt and brown.

How to judge doneness

Chicken: The recipe gives an approximate baking time of 15 minutes, but the exact time depends on the oven and the thickness of the fillets. Check that the thickest part is fully cooked before serving.

Cheese: Look for melted cheese with some golden, lightly crisp areas. If it is ready before the chicken, use the chicken’s doneness rather than colour alone to decide when to take the dish out.

Timing and preparation

Oven: Set it to 180°C before preparing the chicken and toppings. The stated total time is 20 minutes, including an approximate 15-minute bake.

Preparation: Slice the chicken and tomato while the oven heats, then assemble the dish directly in an ovenproof container.

What to serve with it

Vegetables: Serve with a green salad or steamed vegetables for a fresh contrast to the melted cheese.

Something filling: Potatoes, rice or bread can make the meal more substantial and catch any tomato juices from the dish.

Recipe notes & tips

• Cut the chicken into similarly sized fillets so they cook at a similar rate.
• Keep the tomato slices fairly thick so they hold their shape as they bake.
• Salt the tomato lightly, as well as seasoning the chicken.
• Choose a grated cheese that melts well and suits your taste.
• Check the chicken before serving, as oven performance and fillet thickness affect the cooking time.

Variations

• Use mozzarella: Choose mozzarella for a mild, stretchy topping.
• Mix the cheeses: Combine grated cheeses for a fuller flavour.
• Add herbs: Use a little extra fresh basil over the top before baking.
• Serve with greens: Pair the chicken with a green salad or steamed vegetables.
• Make it more filling: Serve alongside potatoes or rice.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Slicing the chicken too thinly: Thin fillets can dry out quickly; cut them to a moderate thickness.
• Using uneven fillets: Pieces of very different sizes may cook at different rates; aim for similar thicknesses.
• Adding too much salt: The cheese can be salty, so season the tomato and chicken with restraint.
• Relying only on the timer: The stated 15 minutes is approximate; check the thickest part of the chicken.
• Waiting for deeply browned cheese: Take the dish out when the chicken is cooked and the cheese is melted with some crispness.

How to store

Cool leftovers promptly, cover and refrigerate for up to 2 days. Reheat in an oven until piping hot throughout; the cheese may not be as crisp after storage.

Frequently asked questions