The Mary Berry Italian Chicken recipe is a wonderful choice if you enjoy Italian comfort cooking with bold Mediterranean flavours. This Mary Berry Italian Chicken Recipe combines tender chicken pieces with a rich, seasoned tomato sauce, creating a tomato-based baked chicken that is both comforting and full of hearty flavour. Fragrant aromatic herbs, garlic, and fresh vegetables give every bite a homemade taste, while the oven-baking method keeps the chicken juicy and delicious.
This one-pan meal is ideal for a family-friendly recipe, an easy refined dinner, or even meal prep during a busy week. Whether you use boneless chicken thighs or chicken breasts, this rustic recipe pairs beautifully with pasta, rice, mashed potatoes, or crusty bread, making it a beginner-friendly example of classic home-style cooking.
Equipment
To prepare this Mary Berry Italian Chicken recipe, you only need a few basic kitchen tools. Each piece of equipment helps make cooking easier, from preparing the vegetables to browning the chicken and baking everything in one dish for the best flavour.
- Large ovenproof pan – Ideal for browning the chicken and finishing the recipe in the oven.
- Casserole dish – A good alternative if your pan is not oven-safe.
- Frying pan – Useful for browning the chicken before transferring it to a baking dish if needed.
- Sharp knife – Makes slicing chicken and chopping vegetables safely and neatly.
- Chopping board – Provides a clean, stable surface for preparing ingredients.
- Wooden spoon – Perfect for stirring the sauce without scratching cookware.
- Measuring jug – Helps measure liquids such as stock accurately.
- Serving spoon – Makes serving the chicken and rich tomato sauce easy.
- Oven mitts – Protect your hands when handling hot pans or dishes from the oven.
Table of Contents
Ingredients
Ingredients requir for Mary Berry Italian Chicken recipe:
This Mary Berry Italian Chicken recipe uses simple pantry staples to create a rich and satisfying meal. The combination of chicken thighs, tomatoes, herbs, and vegetables gives the dish its classic Mediterranean flavour. While a few optional ingredients can be added for variety, the main recipe stays easy enough for everyday family cooking.
| Ingredient | Quantity |
| Boneless skinless chicken thighs | 8 pieces (about 1kg) |
| Olive oil | 2 tbsp |
| Onion, finely chopped | 1 large |
| Garlic cloves, crushed | 2 |
| Red pepper, sliced | 1 |
| Tinned chopped tomatoes | 2 × 400g cans |
| Chicken stock | 200ml |
| Tomato purée | 2 tbsp |
| Dried oregano | 1 tsp |
| Dried basil | 1 tsp |
| Sugar | 1 tsp |
| Salt | To taste |
| Black pepper | To taste |
| Fresh parsley, chopped | 2 tbsp, for garnish |
How to Make Mary Berry Italian Chicken Recipe
- Season the chicken with salt and black pepper on both sides. This helps build flavour before cooking. Keep the chicken at room temperature for a few minutes while preparing the vegetables.
- Warm olive oil in a large ovenproof pan over medium-high heat. Brown the chicken for a few minutes on each side until lightly golden. Remove it from the pan and set it aside.
- In the same pan, sauté onions until softened. Then sauté garlic and cook red pepper for a few more minutes, stirring often so the vegetables become tender without burning.
- Add chopped tomatoes, add chicken stock, and add tomato purée to the pan. Stir oregano, stir basil, and add sugar, mixing everything into a smooth tomato sauce.
- Taste the sauce and season with salt and pepper if needed. Allow it to simmer gently for a few minutes so the flavours begin to develop.
- Return chicken to the pan and nestle chicken into sauce so each piece is well coated. Transfer to oven and bake until tender, allowing the chicken to cook through while absorbing the rich sauce.
- If the sauce seems a little thin, reduce the sauce on the hob for a few minutes after baking. This creates a thicker and richer finish.
- Garnish with parsley just before serving. Garnish and serve the chicken while hot with your favourite side dish.
Expert Tips for Mary Berry Italian Chicken Recipe
A few small techniques can make this recipe even better. After making this dish several times, I have found that paying attention to the sauce and cooking temperature makes the biggest difference. These simple tips help create juicy chicken and a rich, balanced flavour every time.
- Season chicken before browning to build flavour from the very beginning.
- Sauté vegetables on high heat rather than trying to cook them slowly, as this develops a sweeter, richer taste.
- If the sauce feels too thin after baking, reduce the sauce on the hob for an additional 10 minutes until it reaches your preferred consistency.
- Balance acidity with sugar if your tomatoes taste slightly sharp.
- For a leaner version, use chicken breasts for leaner protein, but watch the cooking time to avoid overcooking.
- Boneless thighs stay juicier and remain tender during oven cooking, making them my preferred choice.
- For a lighter dish, reduce olive oil slightly without affecting the overall flavour.
- If you run out of tomato purée, replace tomato purée with extra tinned tomatoes, although the sauce may be a little thinner.
- You can add extra vegetables such as sliced mushrooms, spinach, courgettes, or peppers for extra colour and nutrition, or substitute Italian seasoning if you do not have separate herbs.
- For food safety, bake to 75°C (167°F) in the thickest part of the chicken. The tomato-based sauce retains moisture, helping keep the meat tender, and a pinch of chilli flakes can create a simple spicy version if you enjoy extra heat.
Serving Suggestions for Mary Berry Italian Chicken Recipe
This Mary Berry Italian Chicken recipe is a comforting meal that pairs beautifully with simple sides. The rich tomato sauce makes it perfect for a cosy family dinner or an easy weeknight dinner, with plenty of options to suit different tastes.
- Serve with al dente pasta to soak up every bit of the rich tomato sauce.
- Pair with steamed rice for a simple and satisfying meal.
- Enjoy alongside creamy mashed potatoes for extra comfort.
- Offer crusty garlic bread or crusty bread for delicious dipping bread.
- Add a side of roasted vegetables for extra colour and flavour.
- Garnish with freshly chopped parsley and a little grated Parmesan if desired.
- Serve with sparkling water, iced tea, or a light white wine for adults.
- Finish the meal with fresh fruit or a light lemon dessert.
Storage
Room Temperature
- Leave the chicken out for no longer than 2 hours before storing.
- Cool the dish completely before placing it in the refrigerator.
Refrigerator
- Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- This recipe is great for meal prep because it keeps well.
- If preferred, store sauce separately from the chicken to help maintain the best texture.
- The recipe reheats well, including when made with chicken breasts.
Freezer
- Freeze in airtight containers or freezer-safe bags for up to 3 months.
- Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
- Reheat gently in a saucepan over medium heat, adding a splash of stock if the sauce has thickened.
- For microwave reheating, cover loosely, heat in short intervals, and stir between each interval until piping hot.
FAQs Related Mary Berry Italian Chicken Recipe
Q: Can I use chicken breasts instead of chicken thighs?
Yes, chicken breasts work well if you prefer leaner meat. Watch the cooking time carefully to avoid overcooking, as they can dry out more quickly than thighs.
Q: How do I stop the chicken from drying out while baking?
The rich tomato-based sauce helps retain moisture while the chicken cooks. Be sure not to bake it longer than necessary and remove it once it reaches an internal temperature of 75°C (167°F).
Q: Why are boneless chicken thighs recommended?
Boneless thighs naturally stay more tender and usually give juicier results. They are also more forgiving if baked for a few extra minutes.
Q: Can I freeze this recipe?
Yes, it freezes very well. Let the chicken cool completely before freezing in airtight containers, then thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Q: Can I make this recipe ahead of time?
Absolutely. The flavours often become even better after a day in the refrigerator, making it a great option for preparing in advance.
Q: What should I serve with this dish?
It goes well with pasta, rice, mashed potatoes, garlic bread, or roasted vegetables. Choose your favourite side to enjoy the delicious tomato sauce.
Q: How do I know when the chicken is fully cooked?
The safest way is to use a meat thermometer. The chicken should bake until cooked through and reach 75°C (167°F) in the thickest part.
Nutrition
The following nutrition values are approximate and may vary depending on the exact ingredients and portion sizes used. These estimates are based on one serving of the recipe.
| Nutrient | Amount Per Serving |
| Calories | 360 |
| Protein | 34g |
| Carbohydrates | 12g |
| Sugars | 7g |
| Fat | 20g |
| Saturated Fat | 5g |
| Fibre | 2g |
| Sodium | 620mg |