Description
Skillet Cheesy Pizza Chicken is a delicious, easy-to-make dinner that combines tender chicken breasts with classic pizza ingredients like marinara sauce, mozzarella cheese, and pepperoni. This recipe offers a low-carb, gluten-free twist on traditional pizza, baked directly in a skillet for a quick and flavorful meal perfect for 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 marinara or pizza sauce
- 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ¼ cup sliced pepperoni
- 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
- Chopped fresh basil or parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) to prepare for baking the chicken.
- Season Chicken: Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels, then season both sides evenly with Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper.
- Sear Chicken: Heat the olive oil in an oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken breasts and sear them for 3 to 4 minutes on each side until they are golden brown. They do not need to be fully cooked through at this stage.
- Add Sauce and Toppings: Remove the skillet from heat. Spoon marinara sauce evenly over each chicken breast, then top with shredded mozzarella cheese, pepperoni slices, and a sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese.
- Bake: Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through (reaching an internal temperature of 165°F) and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from the oven and garnish with chopped fresh basil or parsley if desired. Serve hot for a comforting meal.
Notes
- Customize your pizza chicken by adding toppings such as sliced olives, mushrooms, or bell peppers.
- Serve with garlic bread, pasta, or a side salad to make it a complete meal.
- Ensure marinara or pizza sauce is gluten-free if you have dietary restrictions.
- Use an oven-safe skillet to go straight from stovetop to oven safely.
- Check the internal temperature with a meat thermometer for best results.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast
- Calories: 410
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 720mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 6g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 42g
- Cholesterol: 120mg
