Description
Skillet Cheesy Pizza Chicken is a delicious and easy-to-make Italian-American inspired main course featuring juicy chicken breasts topped with classic pizza flavors like mozzarella, pepperoni, and pizza sauce. Cooked first on the stovetop and finished in the oven, this dish combines the crisp sear of chicken with melted cheesy goodness for a comforting and flavorful meal perfect for busy weeknights.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Seasoning
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Toppings
- 1 cup pizza sauce
- 1½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ¼ cup sliced pepperoni
- 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil or parsley (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat and Season: Preheat your oven to 400°F. Season both sides of the chicken breasts evenly with Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper to infuse them with classic flavors.
- Sear the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken breasts and sear each side for 3 to 4 minutes until they develop a golden-brown crust. The chicken does not need to be fully cooked at this stage.
- Add Toppings: Remove the skillet from heat. Spoon pizza sauce evenly over each chicken breast. Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese generously on top, then add the sliced pepperoni and grated Parmesan for extra flavor and texture.
- Bake: Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake for 15 to 20 minutes. Bake until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove the skillet from the oven, garnish the chicken with chopped fresh basil or parsley if desired, and serve hot for a satisfying meal.
Notes
- Use mini pepperoni or chopped olives for a fun variation to customize the flavors.
- This dish pairs wonderfully with garlic bread or a fresh green salad for a complete meal.
- For extra crisp and golden edges on the cheese, broil the chicken for an additional 2 to 3 minutes at the end of baking.
