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 tablespoon 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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Helpful Kitchen Items:
Pepperoni Pizza Chicken
Ingredients
- Olive oil
- 4 8 oz boneless skinless chicken breasts
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus 1 Tbsp divided
- 1 teaspoon dry Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon granulated garlic
- 1 teaspoon 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 ½ 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 tablespoon at a time to the sauce stirring until melted. Repeat until the sauce has thickened to your taste.
Nutrition
My name is Melissa and I'm the Creator of Melissa's Southern Style Kitchen. Cooking, baking, developing recipes and kitchen tips is my passion. I love sharing my dishes and connecting with people through the food that I create.
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Katrina
Love the use of pizza sauce & pepperonis sounds like a delicious dish
Melissa
Thanks so much!