If you’re looking for an Italian chicken dish that’s zesty with a hint of natural sweetness and all around yummy, check out this Mozzarella Chicken in Tomato Sauce!
This is one of those recipes I always recommend for a Friday night – it’s both easy to make after a long week and I always think of a zesty tomato sauce type of dish at the end of the week.
Ingredients for Mozzarella Chicken in Tomato Sauce
This recipe is fairly simple to make. It only includes a few key ingredients, which include:
- dried basil leaves
- dried parsley leaves
- ground oregano
- 2 skinless and boneless chicken breasts, halved to make 4 fillets
- garlic cloves
- your favorite low carb Marinara tomato sauce (like Rao’s Marinara Sauce)
- Italian seasoning
- mozzarella cheese
Low Carb Marinara Sauce Brands
This recipe calls for one to two cups of low carb marinara sauce. I like to make my own tomato sauce most of the time, but wanted this recipe to be easy and convenient during busy weeks.
All marinara sauce will have some carbs – tomatoes are naturally sweet and do contain carbohydrates, so you won’t find zero carb marinara sauce.
The key is to find brands that have NO added sugar. If you’re looking for decent quality at a low price, you can find many brands in the supermarket.
Wal Mart’s Great Value Marinara Pasta Sauce is not too bad (it does contain canola oil, but no sugar).
Prego Marinara Spaghetti Sauce is a decent option, too. Like the Great Value brand, it does have canola oil, but it also does NOT have added sugar.
If you want a little better quality and don’t mind paying a bit more money for whole food ingredients, here are a few of my favorites:
Rao’s Marinara Sauce
Rao’s Marinara Sauce is really the holy grail when it comes to low carb. Their quality is outstanding.
If you happen to be on Keto, this is the brand you want to pick up.
However, they are a little pricey (worth it in my opinion). So if it’s a little out of your budget, I totally understand (but you’ll want to try one of their sauces at least once in your lifetime!).
Primal Kitchen Marinara Sauce
Primal Kitchen’s sauces, dressing, and other products are well known for their clean ingredients. They utilize anti-inflammatory oils, such as Avocado Oil, in many of their products.
Like Rao’s, Primal Kitchen is also a little pricey, but definitely worth it. Primal Kitchen Tomato & Basil Marinara Sauce is made with whole ingredients and has no added sugar.
Mozzarella Chicken for the 17 Day Diet
If you’re eating low carb on the 17 Day Diet, you can definitely have this Mozzarella Chicken on all cycles of the diet.
If you’re not sure which foods are allowed when, make sure you check out my 17 Day Diet Cycle 1 Food List for all the info!
You can also check out my book on Amazon called Fast Track Your Weight Loss With the 17 Day Diet which has all the food lists (and a 7 day meal plan, too!).
Can I have Mozzarella on the Kickstart Diet?
Yes, you can definitely have this Mozzarella Chicken in Tomato Sauce while on the 17 Day Kickstart Diet. You can have this dish starting on the 10-Day Stabilize Phase when cheese is allowed.
If you’d like have this sooner, you can simply leave out the cheese and you’ll be fine!
If you’re not sure which foods are allowed during each phase, make sure you take a look at my 17 Day Kickstart Diet Food List.
Is Mozzarella Chicken Keto Friendly?
If you’re on the Keto Diet, this dish can be eaten as is.
I’d definitely stick to a brand of Marinara Sauce that has no sugar added. Rao’s Marinara is a Keto favorite.
If you’re new to keto, make sure you check out my Keto Diet Beginner’s Guide.
Are you unsure of which foods are keto friendly? Make sure you check out my Keto Diet Food List.
Low Carb Side Dishes to Serve with Mozzarella Chicken
Not sure what to serve with this Mozzarella Chicken? Here are a few ideas on low carb side dishes you might want to pair with this recipe:
- Zoodles
- Spaghetti Squash
- Parmesan-Roasted Cauliflower
- Italian Roasted Vegetables
Other Low Carb Italian Recipes
If you enjoy this Mozzarella Chicken in Tomato Sauce, make sure you check out these other amazing Italian inspired dishes:
- Meatballs with Easy Homemade Spaghetti Sauce
- Low Carb Turkey Meatballs with Marinara Sauce
- Chicken Lombardy
- Bruschetta Stuffed Balsamic Chicken
- 30 Minute Skillet Chicken Caprese
If you enjoy this Mozzarella Chicken in Tomato Sauce make sure you come back to review the recipe card below. If you’re on social, make sure you tag me @17ddblog so I can see your yummy dish.
Mozzarella Chicken in Tomato Sauce
Zesty with a hint of natural sweetness, this Mozzarella Chicken in Tomato Sauce is the perfect low carb dinner after a busy week.
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon dried basil leaves
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley leaves
- ½ teaspoon ground oregano
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 skinless and boneless chicken breasts, halved to make 4 fillets (or use full chicken breasts and make sure to cook them longer)
- 2 garlic cloves, finely minced
- 1-2 cups of your favorite Marinara tomato sauce
- 1-2 teaspoons Italian seasoning, to taste
- 4 Slices Mozzarella Cheese (or 1/2 cup shredded)
Instructions
- Preheat the broiler to a medium heat setting.
- Combine the basil, parsley, oregano, salt and pepper and olive oil in a bowl. Add the chicken to the bowl and fully coat with the mixture.
- Heat an oven-proof skillet over high heat. Add the chicken fillets and pan fry on each side until golden (about 3 minutes on each side).
- Add the minced garlic to the pan and allow to cook for 30 seconds, without burning.
- Add the Italian seasoning to the marinara sauce and stir well. Spoon the marinara sauce over the top and around each fillet.
- Place a slice of mozzarella cheese over each chicken fillet; bake until the cheese has melted and the chicken is cooked through, about 3 to 5 minutes.
Notes
Approved for:
17 Day Diet - all cycles
17 Day Kickstart Diet - 10-Day Stabilize Phase
Keto Diet
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I’ve been loving the 17 Day Diet since 2011. I love sharing my favorite healthy recipes and meal plans to keep you motivated and on the right path to success!
When I’m not hanging out here, I enjoy quick trips to the Oregon Coast, designing my jewelry line, being a proud Swiftie, and tinkering with my personal Youtube Channel!
Are you new to the 17 Day Diet? Check out my latest book, Fast Track Your Weight Loss With The 17 Day Diet on Amazon! (aff link)
You should really post what cycle these recipes are good for.
You’re right, I should, and will. By the way, this recipe is approved for all cycles.
I didn’t think you could have mozzarella in the first cycle?
Fat-free cheese is allowed in moderation under the condiment section. I think low-fat is OK too!
Cheese on Cycle 1? I thought no cheese.
Fat-free cheese is allowed in moderation on all cycles – you can check the C1 food list under the condiments. If you can’t find non-fat, you can probably stick with low-fat.
I think you are doing a fantastic job with all of these recipes and questions we give you. Now! That is a Challenge!!! Thank you from all of us!
Awe, thank you so much Kathleen!!
I completely agree. I refer to your site almost every day. Thank you for everything.
Awe, you’re very welcome, Kevin! Thanks for stopping by!!