Here[1] is one of the most impressive asteroid impact simulations I have seen, from the Discover Channel's Miracle Planet. [1] - https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=PENT_hnyO-o
In the video, they said an impact like that happened an estimated 6 times and each time, life sprung back. The whole surface was sterilized. This makes me think that if life comes back after that 6 times, then it must be pretty easy for life to start.
Or that they are wrong and the whole surface was not in fact sterilised. Or life survived somewhere other than on the surface (deep underground, underwater, or high in the sky).