Description
This Chicken Pizza Bake recipe combines juicy, seasoned chicken breasts with classic pizza flavors like marinara sauce, melted mozzarella, and pepperoni, all baked to bubbly perfection. It’s a delicious one-dish meal that satisfies pizza cravings while being protein-packed and easy to prepare.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Seasoning
- 4 large boneless skinless chicken breasts
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning (divided)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Pizza Toppings
- 1 1/2 cups pizza sauce (or Rao’s marinara for dairy-free option)
- 4-5 thick slices mozzarella cheese (or dairy-free cheese of choice)
- 1/3 cup sliced pepperonis (regular or turkey)
- Fresh basil leaves for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 400°F. Grease a baking dish with non-stick spray and set aside. Season the whole chicken breasts with salt, pepper, and half the Italian seasoning, adjusting seasoning to taste.
- Sear the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken breasts and cook for about 3-4 minutes per side until browned. The chicken should be about 80% cooked through but not fully done.
- Assemble the Bake: Arrange the seared chicken breasts evenly in the prepared baking dish. Pour pizza sauce over the chicken, covering it evenly. Layer mozzarella cheese slices on top of the sauce, then add the sliced pepperonis. Sprinkle remaining Italian seasoning evenly over the top. For extra sauce, add additional pizza sauce around the chicken in the dish.
- Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes or until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Serve with Garnish: Remove from oven and allow to cool for a few minutes. Garnish with fresh basil leaves before serving to add a fresh, aromatic note.
Notes
- Cheese Substitution: Substitute 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese for the cheese slices or use a dairy-free cheese of your choice for dietary needs.
- Vegetable Toppings: Add low-carb vegetable toppings such as sliced bell peppers, onions, mushrooms, olives, and spinach to increase flavor and nutrients without significantly affecting carbs. If carbs are not a concern, feel free to use any vegetables you prefer.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast with toppings
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 850 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 12 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 48 g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg
