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Garlic Tomato Chicken with Melted Mozzarella

This dish features chicken thighs cooked in a skillet with garlic and ripe tomato juice, resulting in tender, juicy meat. Topped with slices of mozzarella, the dish develops a gooey, melted cheese layer with a slightly caramelized crust, creating a comforting and visually appealing meal.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Calories: 450
Ingredients Equipment Method

Ingredients
  

  • 4 pieces bone-in chicken thighs skinless preferred
  • 4 cloves garlic sliced thin
  • 1 cup ripe tomato juice fresh or canned
  • 8 slices mozzarella cheese sliced
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • to taste salt
  • to taste black pepper

Equipment

  • skillet or cast-iron pan
  • Knife
  • Cutting board
  • Spatula
  • Measuring cups and spoons

Method
 

  1. Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels, then season both sides with salt and black pepper. Place a skillet over medium-high heat and add olive oil. When the oil is shimmering, add the chicken thighs skin-side down and cook until golden brown, about 5-7 minutes. Use tongs to flip and cook the other side for another 4-5 minutes, then remove the chicken and set aside.
    4 pieces bone-in chicken thighs
  2. Add sliced garlic to the same skillet and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute. Then pour in the ripe tomato juice, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer and cook until slightly thickened, about 3-4 minutes. Return the chicken to the skillet, nestling it into the sauce.
    4 pieces bone-in chicken thighs
  3. Reduce heat to medium and spoon slices of mozzarella over the chicken and sauce. Cover the skillet with a lid or foil and cook until the cheese has melted and begun to turn slightly golden, about 5 minutes. The sauce should be bubbling gently, and cheese should be gooey and soft.
    4 pieces bone-in chicken thighs
  4. Remove the lid and allow the cheese to develop a slight crust if desired, cooking for an additional 2 minutes. Taste and adjust seasoning with more salt or pepper if needed. Serve hot, garnished with fresh herbs if desired.