Description
This Chicken & Nduja Bake is a flavorful and spicy Italian-inspired dish featuring tender boneless chicken thighs simmered in a creamy tomato sauce enriched with spicy nduja sausage, garlic, and smoked paprika, then baked to perfection with melted mozzarella or Parmesan cheese on top. Perfect for a comforting weeknight dinner, served with crusty bread, pasta, or rice to soak up the delicious sauce.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Seasonings
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Vegetables and Aromatics
- 1 small red onion, sliced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Sauce and Extras
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/4 cup nduja sausage
- 1 (14 oz) can cherry or diced tomatoes
- 1/4 cup chicken broth
- 1/4 teaspoon chili flakes (optional)
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella or grated Parmesan
- Fresh basil or parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat and Season: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Season the chicken thighs evenly with salt, black pepper, and smoked paprika to impart a smoky and slightly spicy flavor.
- Sear Chicken: Heat olive oil in an ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the chicken thighs and sear them for 2–3 minutes on each side until they develop a golden brown crust. Remove the chicken and place on a plate temporarily.
- Cook Aromatics and Nduja: In the same skillet, add the sliced red onion and sauté for 3–4 minutes until softened. Stir in minced garlic and nduja sausage, cooking for an additional minute to release the nduja’s rich, spicy aroma.
- Make Sauce: Pour in the canned tomatoes, chicken broth, and chili flakes if using. Stir everything together and let the sauce simmer gently for 5 minutes to blend the flavors.
- Add Cream and Return Chicken: Stir the heavy cream into the sauce for a rich, creamy texture. Return the seared chicken thighs to the skillet and spoon some sauce over each piece.
- Top and Bake: Sprinkle shredded mozzarella or grated Parmesan cheese evenly over the top. Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake for 20–25 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked through and the cheese is melted, bubbling, and golden.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove the dish from the oven, garnish with chopped fresh basil or parsley for color and freshness, and serve hot with your preferred side such as crusty bread, pasta, or rice to enjoy the flavorful sauce.
Notes
- Serve with crusty bread, pasta, or rice to soak up the flavorful sauce.
- You can swap chicken thighs for boneless chicken breasts if preferred for a leaner option.
- Adjust the amount of nduja sausage to control the heat level according to your taste.
- Make sure to use an ovenproof skillet to avoid transferring the dish mid-cooking.
- The sauce can be made ahead and refrigerated to save time before baking.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken thigh with sauce
- Calories: 390
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 520mg
- Fat: 26g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 7g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 120mg
