Baked Chicken with Cherry Tomatoes and Bell Peppers

 Ingredients:

• 4 boneless chicken breasts
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes (halved)
• 1 cup mozzarella cheese (grated or sliced)
• 1 red bell pepper (sliced)
• 1 green bell pepper (sliced)
• 1 yellow bell pepper (sliced)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 3 cloves garlic (minced)
• 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning (or mixed herbs)
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• Fresh basil or parsley for garnish (optional)

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Instructions:

1. Preheat the Oven:

   • Preheat your oven to 200°C (400°F).

2. Prepare the Chicken:

   • Pat the chicken breasts dry with a paper towel.
   • Season both sides of the chicken with salt, black pepper, and Italian seasoning.

3. Sear the Chicken (Optional):

   • Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.
   • Sear the chicken breasts for about 2 minutes on each side until lightly golden (this step enhances flavor but can be skipped).

4. Prepare the Vegetables:

   • In a large baking dish, add the cherry tomatoes, sliced bell peppers, and minced garlic.
   • Drizzle the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil over the vegetables and season with a pinch of salt and pepper. Toss to coat.

5. Assemble and Bake:

   • Place the chicken breasts on top of the bed of vegetables in the baking dish.
   • Top each chicken breast with a generous amount of mozzarella cheese.
   • Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil.

6. Bake:

   • Bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes until the chicken is fully cooked (internal temperature reaches 75°C or 165°F) and the cheese is golden and bubbly.

7. Garnish and Serve:

   • Garnish with fresh basil or parsley if desired.
   • Serve the baked chicken with the roasted cherry tomatoes and bell peppers on the side.

Enjoy this vibrant, cheesy baked chicken dish!