Go Back
Print
Pizza Chicken

Pizza Chicken with Pancetta, Mozzarella and Spicy Tomatoes

All the melting cheese, meats and tomatoes of a great pizza, in a chicken braise, and served over pasta.  Comfort Food Perfection!

Course Main Course
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes

Ingredients

  • 3 1/2 lbs bone-in chicken pieces
  • 2 tsp kosher salt , plus more to taste
  • 1 tsp freshly ground pepper
  • 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • 5 oz pancetta , diced
  • 3 garlic cloves , thinly sliced
  • 4 oil-packed anchovy fillets (optional)
  • 1 tbsp capers , drained
  • 1/4 tsp red chili flakes
  • 2 cups ripe cherry tomatoes , halved (or use a mix of cherry, grape tomatoes etc)
  • 3 1/2 cups diced ripe tomatoes
  • 1 large sprig of fresh basil , plus chopped basil leaves for serving
  • 8 oz bocconcini , halved (or use 1 inch cubes of fresh mozzarella)
  • 1 lb dried spaghetti pasta

Instructions

  1. Pat the chicken dry and season the pieces with 1 1/2 tsp of salt and 1/2 tsp of pepper.
  2. Heat a 10-12 inch oven safe skillet over med-high heat and add the olive oil. Let the oil heat up for a few seconds and then add the pancetta. Cook, stirring frequently until it is well browned and crisp, about 3 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon to a paper towel lined plate.
  3. Add the chicken to the skillet. Sear, turning the pieces only occasionally, until well browned on all sides, about 10 minutes.
  4. Transfer them to a large plate. Pour off all but 1 tbsp of the oil in the skillet.
  5. Add the garlic, anchovies, capers, and chili flakes to the skillet and sauté for 1 minute.
  6. Stir in the tomatoes, the basil sprig and the remaining 1/2 tsp of salt and pepper. Cook and break up the tomatoes with a spatula, until the sauce thickens somewhat, about 10 minutes.
  7. While the sauce is cooking, heat the oven to 400F.
  8. Return the chicken to the skillet and transfer the skillet to the oven and cook uncovered, until the chicken is no longer pink, about 30 minutes.
  9. While the chicken is cooking in the oven, prepare the pasta according to the directions of the package, in well salted water. Drain.
  10. Remove the skillet from the oven and scatter the bocconcini over the chicken.
  11. Turn on the broiler, and place a rack 6 inches or so from the heat. Place the skillet under the broiler and broil till the cheese is bubbling. This should take about 1-3 minutes, but watch it carefully!
  12. You can either place all the pasta on a platter and then scoop out the sauce over the pasta. Then place the chicken and cheese over the sauce. Or you can do this on individual plates.
  13. Garnish the chicken with the pancetta and basil before serving over the pasta.

Recipe Notes

This recipe comes from Dinner, Changing the Game by Melissa Clark.  The addition of the pasta is my own!