Pepperoni Pizza Chicken
This ooey gooey Pepperoni Pizza Chicken is made with chicken breasts coated with an Italian blend of seasonings and parmesan cheese. It’s topped with pepperoni slices and a generous drizzle of pizza sauce then a heaping helping of mozzarella cheese seals the deal. Serve on sub rolls, over pasta or as a lower carb entrée with a side salad any night of the week.
Pepperoni Pizza Chicken
When it comes to quick and easy, boneless skinless chicken breasts can be a busy mom’s best friend. My family never tires of chicken in any form, and it’s served quite often in my Southern style kitchen. Whether it’s a classic dish like chicken fried chicken and peppered milk gravy, or a quick clean-up sweet chili chicken and vegetable foil packs or easy barbecue bacon wrapped chicken breasts I can count on chicken being gobbled up in a hurry by my boys. This variation made with pizza sauce and pepperoni suits everyone’s taste, and I love that it can be made in one skillet. While it bakes, cook your favorite spaghetti or pasta and make a salad and garlic bread to round out the meal.
Tips for Making Pizza Flavored Chicken
When it comes to chicken, the possibilities are endless. I wanted to mention a few helpful hints for making pepperoni pizza chicken:
- I use a cast iron skillet to prepare this chicken because it can go from the stovetop to the oven. You can use any oven safe skillet in a similar size. Alternatively, you can also brown the chicken on the stovetop and place into a baking dish to finish in the oven.
- Chicken breast pieces naturally vary in thickness from end to end. While this recipe doesn’t call for you to flatten the chicken breasts, I do find it helpful to pound the thickest end for the most even cooking. Use the flat side of the meat tenderizer so as not to tear the chicken.
- Prepared pizza sauces vary in thickness from brand to brand. Use a quality brand for the best results.
- To thicken the sauce at the end of cooking, carefully remove chicken breasts to a platter and keep warm. Add tomato paste 1 Tbsp at a time to the sauce stirring until melted. Repeat until the sauce has thickened to your taste.
- While I give a specific number of pepperoni slices in the recipe, you can certainly use more or less, if you like. The number in the recipe should be used as a guideline.
- If you’re feeling creative, add any of your favorite pizza toppings to this dish to add a variety in flavor. Ingredients such as sauteed peppers, mushrooms and onion or sprinkle the top with sliced black olives.
Other Pizza Inspired Dishes to Enjoy
Pizza is always a hit at our house. Regardless of the flavor combination, it’s a sure fire hit. If you’d like to get the whole family involved, checkout my recipe for no-fail Pizza Dough and host a pizza making party. For a fun twist, add Buffalo Chicken Pizza from Cookies and Cups and Chicken Ranch Pizza from Sargento to your game day menu.
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Pepperoni Pizza Chicken
Ingredients
- Olive oil
- 4 8 oz boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus 1 Tbsp divided
- 1 tsp dry Italian seasoning
- 1 tsp granulated garlic
- 1 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
- 35 slices pepperoni
- 1 16 oz jar pizza sauce
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- fresh chopped chives or fresh basil for garnishing
- tomato paste optional
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F.
- Pound the chicken breasts to even thickness, if needed. Season lightly with salt and black pepper.
- On a plate mix together 1/2 cup Parmesan, Italian seasoning, garlic and red pepper flakes. Coat chicken pieces on all sides, repeating until all is used.
- On the stovetop heat a few drizzles of olive oil in a large 12-inch cast iron skillet or similar oven safe skillet over medium-high heat. Brown the chicken for 2 minutes per side. Remove from stovetop.
- Pour pizza sauce over chicken. Top each with 3-4 pieces of pepperoni.
- Sprinkle with mozzarella cheese and remaining Parmesan. Arrange remaining pepperoni on top. (May use more pepperoni, if desired)
- Bake for 20-25 minutes or until chicken is cooked through and cheese is bubbly.
- Rest for 5 minutes and serve with pasta or on toasted hoagie rolls.
Notes
- To thicken the sauce at the end of cooking, carefully remove chicken breasts to a platter and keep warm. Add tomato paste 1 Tbsp at a time to the sauce stirring until melted. Repeat until the sauce has thickened to your taste.
Nutrition
Love the use of pizza sauce & pepperonis sounds like a delicious dish
Thanks so much!