Pollo alla Pizzaiola (Chicken in Pizza-Style Tomato Sauce)
Thin chicken breast fried quickly then simmered in a garlicky oregano tomato sauce with capers and olives.
Made with Basic tomato sauce. Make a batch of the base first, then this takes minutes. Skip to the method
- Time30 min
- LevelEasy
- Costabout £1.68 a head
Cost is worked out from Aldi and Tesco shelf prices in October 2026. Your shop and brands will differ.
Ingredients
Tick what you need to buy. It goes on your shopping list.
Method
- 1
Season the chicken with salt and pepper. Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil in a large frying pan over a high heat.
- 2
Fry the chicken for 2 minutes each side until golden but not cooked through. Move to a plate.
4 min - 3
Lower the heat and add the remaining oil, the garlic, oregano and chilli. Cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
0 min 30 s - 4
Pour in your ready made basic tomato sauce (see the base recipe) with the capers and olives. Bring to a simmer.
- 5
Slide the chicken back in with any juices and simmer for 6 to 8 minutes, turning once, until cooked through with no pink.
7 min - 6
Scatter with parsley and serve with roast potatoes, rice or crusty bread to mop up the sauce.
Tips
- Slice the breasts thin so they cook through in the sauce in minutes and stay juicy.
- The capers and olives are salty, so taste before adding extra salt.
- Add a tablespoon of the sauce's oil from the top of the pan if it looks dry; do not boil it hard.
Storing and freezing
Cool within 1 hour and keep in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat gently until steaming hot all the way through.
Questions
What does pizzaiola mean?
It describes food cooked in a pizza-style sauce of tomato, garlic and oregano. It is a classic Neapolitan way to cook thin cuts of meat quickly.
Can I add cheese?
Yes. Lay torn mozzarella over the chicken for the last 2 minutes with a lid on. Leave it out to keep the dish dairy free.
What can I swap for capers?
Leave them out and add a few extra olives, or use a squeeze of lemon juice at the end for the same sharp lift.
More made with basic tomato sauce
Izmir Kofte (Turkish Meatballs with Potatoes and Peppers in Tomato)
GFNFHPFirinda Makarna, Turkish Baked Pasta with Spiced Mince
EFNFPolpettone al Forno (Italian Baked Meatloaf)
NFHPSpaghetti alla Chitarra al Pomodoro e Basilico (Abruzzo Guitar Spaghetti with Tomato)
VDFNFDouble check before you cook. Recipes can contain mistakes. Any diet labels come from the ingredients as written in this recipe and are a guide, not a guarantee. Always check every ingredient and the packet label for allergens and cross contamination, and ask your doctor or dietitian what is right for you, especially with coeliac disease, diabetes or a serious allergy. This is not medical advice.
