Like I said before, I am a quasi-clean eater and a stickler for healthy ingredients. This Valentine’s Day was no different. Challenged to come up with a delicious Valentine’s Day dinner – one that would please everyone and yet wouldn’t have me slaving in the kitchen for hours – this Chicken Pizzaiola recipe was the perfect choice. It’s a super simple recipe (just a few ingredients are needed), allowing you to spend more time with your loved ones and less time fussing over a hot stove.
Chicken Pizzaiola, a classic Italian dish, is prepared with all the flavors of pizza. But don’t let the name fool you, this dish is loaded with healthy ingredients and low-calorie to boot. A variation of Bistecca alla Pizzaiola (a hearty steak dish prepared essentially the same way), this chicken version is much healthier and lighter.
While Chicken Pizzaiola isn’t traditionally served over pasta, adding a bed of linguini or spaghetti, however, makes it extremely kid- and husband-friendly. Using whole grain pasta will keep the dish super healthy, too.
You’ll need:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 1 green pepper, sliced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 28 oz Classico Crushed Tomatoes
- 3 tbsp Classico Heavy Tomato Puree
- 2 tsp oregano
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
Although the traditional recipe calls for whole plum tomatoes, blanched, peeled and crushed, you’ll save yourself a messy, time-consuming job by getting Classico Crushed Tomatoes (available at Walmart), while maintaining the freshness and integrity of the dish. Plus Classico products are 100% all-natural and always packed fresh with no preservatives. That makes this “clean eater” very happy!
Brown the chicken over medium heat. Be sure you get a nice caramel color like below. If the chicken is particularly thick and not completely cooked inside after you brown it, you can place it on a baking sheet and bake it for 15 minutes at 300 degrees.
Once browned, remove the chicken from the pan and saute onions, garlic and a green pepper until the green pepper is soft and the onions are nicely browned.
Add in the Classico Crushed Tomatoes, Classico Heavy Tomato Puree, oregano and red pepper flakes. Bring to a boil until the mixture thickens, add chicken back to pan and then reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes.
The beauty of this dish is that Chicken Pizzaiola can be served over a bed of pasta or you can just plop it on a plate and dig in! It would pair nicely with roasted potatoes and some crunchy bread.
For more healthy recipes, see my recipe section. Plus check out Classico’s recipes for more delicious meal options.
Following is the easy-to-print recipe for you, or feel free to pin it for later!
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 1 green pepper, sliced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 28 oz Classico Crushed Tomatoes
- 3 tbsp Classico Heavy Tomato Puree
- 2 tsp oregano
- ½ tsp red pepper flakes
- Heat olive oil in pan
- Brown chicken on each side
- Remove chicken to plate and cover with foil
- Sautee onions, green pepper and garlic until tender
- Add crushed tomatoes, heavy tomato puree, oregano and red pepper flakes
- Bring to boil until thickened
- Add chicken back to pan, reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes
- Place chicken and tomato mixture on bed of pasta
- Top with mozzarella and parmesan cheeses
- Enjoy!
I am a member of the Collective Bias® Social Fabric® Community. This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias® and Classico. All opinions are my own. #cbias #SocialFabric #CookClassico
Omg. Your pictures are amazing – seriously, I feel like I could have touched the computer screen and gotten my hands all messy. 😉 Looks DELICIOUS!
Thanks you!
I am pinning this recipe!! It sounds amazing. I am currently on Nutrisystem and looking for healthier meals to implement into my family’s routine when I am finished with the diet.
Thanks for sharing it!
It looks great – jealous of your chicken browning skills 🙂
Oh this looks delicious. I must make this.
I am so making this for dinner tonight. Thank you for sharing.
This looks incredible!
Sounds delicious!
My goodness that looks good!! Thanks for sharing I am going to have to try this, and I love Classico products, they are always top of the line and packed with flavor!!
This looks so easy and quick to make. My family would love this! Thanks for sharing!
THIS is something I could get my husband to eat. Thanks!
I would totally try this minus the onion and pepper . The recipe seems so easy and hearty
This looks so yummy!!! I would tweak it a bit not a huge fan of onions, but I”m def. trying this 🙂 I may even go shopping tonight and make this tomorrow 🙂
Wow, your Chicken Pizzaiola looks delicious!
Pinned this and thank you for a very delicious and healthy looking meal!!
This looks absolutely delicious!!
I can almost smell that cooking. Absolutely delicious!
I don’t eat chicken but this does look great! I love your photos! Great job 😉
Oh, that looks totally delish! Plus it’s healthy. A must try!
— Laura @ Frugal Follies
I’m definitely pinning this now to save for later.
Wow! That looks so good!! Yum! Thanks for the recipe!
I love anything pasta! Can’t wait to give this a try. 🙂