Pizza Chicken Bake
This easy Pizza Chicken Bake recipe features tender chicken breasts topped with savory marinara, deli-style pepperoni, and creamy buffalo mozzarella for a flavorful, satisfying meal—perfect for anyone eating low-carb but craving pizza.
One evening, when I was trying to figure out dinner, I spotted some leftover cooked chicken breasts and wanted to whip up something fun and easy for the kids. My son chimed in, “Mom, why don’t you make pizza chicken?” Pizza chicken? Intrigued, I threw together this simple, straightforward recipe—and just like that, a new family favorite was born.
At first, I cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces and baked them in individual ramekins with marinara, mozzarella, and a slice of pepperoni, until they were bubbly and golden—it quickly became a dinner request on repeat.
Now, I keep it even simpler by baking whole chicken breasts in a cast-iron skillet. It’s an easy, satisfying meal that comes together in just over 30 minutes—perfect for busy weeknights when you want something delicious, comforting, and low-carb.
Recipe features
- Pizza meets chicken parm. It’s essentially a low-carb twist on classic chicken Parmesan, but in a protein-packed form with timeless pizza flavor.
- Quick and easy. It’s ready in just over 30 minutes with minimal prep and simple ingredients—perfect for weeknights.
- Family-friendly. This is a recipe even picky eaters will love because let’s be honest, who doesn’t love pepperoni pizza topped chicken?
- Customizable. You can easily add more of your favorite toppings to suit your taste or dietary needs.
Ingredients you’ll need
- Olive oil. This is your cooking fat for searing the chicken.
- Chicken breasts. Boneless, skinless chicken breasts cook quickly and soak up the marinara and seasoning beautifully. Chicken thighs are a tasty alternative but may require a few extra minutes in the oven.
- Seasonings. Don’t be shy with the garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Seasoning the chicken well upfront layers flavor throughout the dish. For extra Italian flair, add a pinch of oregano or Italian seasoning to the mix.
- Marinara sauce. I prefer a low-sugar sauce, such as my homemade San Marzano pizza sauce or hearty marinara. If you’re going store-bought, I love Carbone’s marinara sauce here.
- Pepperoni. I like using deli-sliced pepperoni—the slices crisp up nicely in the oven. If you want a little spice, consider swapping in spicy pepperoni or adding some browned Italian sausage slices.
- Mozzarella. Thick slices of this classic, melty, gooey cheese work best, creating that mouthwatering blanket of cheese over the chicken. Fresh mozzarella is ideal for creaminess, but shredded mozzarella works in a pinch.
- Fresh basil. The perfect finishing touch to complement the rich tomato sauce and melted cheese.
How to make pepperoni pizza chicken
Step 1: Preheat. Set your oven to 350°F. Meanwhile, warm a drizzle of olive oil in a cast iron skillet (or any oven-safe skillet) over medium-high heat.
Step 2: Season the chicken. In a small bowl, mix the garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Sprinkle the seasoning mix evenly over both sides of the chicken breasts.
Step 3: Sear the chicken. Once the skillet is hot, add the chicken breasts and cook for about 5 minutes total, flipping halfway through. You’re looking for a golden brown crust on both sides.
Step 4: Layer toppings. Turn off the heat but keep the chicken in the skillet. Spoon a generous amount of marinara sauce over each piece, then place a slice of pepperoni on top. Cover with a thick slice of mozzarella cheese.
Step 5: Bake. Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake for 30 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked through and the cheese is bubbly and golden.
Step 6: Serve. Sprinkle fresh basil leaves over the top, and enjoy!
Recipe tips and FAQs
- Use a cast-iron. Cast iron is my favorite choice for this recipe because it retains heat well and creates a nice sear on the chicken. However, any oven-safe skillet will work—just ensure it can be safely transferred from the stovetop to the oven.
- Check doneness carefully. Oven temps can vary, so if your chicken breasts are on the thicker side, test with a meat thermometer—it should read 165°F at the thickest part for safe eating.
- Step up your garnish game. Beyond fresh basil, consider topping your finished pizza bake with freshly grated Parmesan and a sprinkle of crushed red pepper flakes for a little kick!
More pizza topping ideas
As with traditional pizza, this recipe is a blank canvas for endless topping combos. Here are some delicious ideas:
- Browned Italian Sausage Crumbles
- Sautéed Mushrooms
- Sautéed Onions
- Roasted Red Peppers
- Black Olives
- Jalapeños
- Pineapple
No worries! You can sear the chicken in a regular skillet on the stovetop, then transfer the chicken breasts to a baking dish before adding marinara, pepperoni, and cheese. Bake as directed.
Yes! You can assemble the dish in a baking dish and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours before baking. Add a few extra minutes to the baking time if the dish is going into the oven straight from the fridge.
Serving suggestions
This baked pizza chicken shines when served over something that soaks up all those savory juices and melty cheese. For a classic meal, serve it atop your favorite pasta, such as spaghetti or penne. Try it over zoodles (zucchini noodles), cauliflower rice, or spaghetti squash for a full keto chicken pizza dinner.
As for sides, it pairs well with light, fresh options—think a copycat Olive Garden salad, grilled asparagus, or some roasted green beans!
Storing and freezing
Storing: After cooling, store leftover pizza chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
Freezing: For longer storage, freeze leftovers in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. When ready to eat, thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating in the oven or microwave.
More pizza-inspired recipes
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Pizza Chicken Bake
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 24 oz boneless skinless chicken breasts (I use 6 small 4oz breasts)
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp pepper
- 1½ cups store-bought marinara sauce I look for one low in sugar
- 6 slices deli pepperoni *you want the large slices from the deli section
- 8 oz fresh mozzarella cheese sliced into 6 slices
- 1 tbsp fresh basil, chopped
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- Heat olive oil in a Cast Iron skillet over medium-high heat.
- In a small dish, stir together garlic powder, salt and pepper.
- Sprinkle chicken breasts with seasoning mixture on both sides.
- When skillet is hot, add the chicken breasts and cook until golden brown on both sides, about 5 minutes.
- Remove pan from heat and top chicken breasts with marinara sauce.
- Add one slice of pepperoni on each breast.
- Next, top with one thick slice of mozzarella.
- Bake at 350 degrees F. for 30 minutes. Garnish with fresh basil, if desired.
Notes
- Use a cast-iron. Cast iron is my favorite choice for this recipe because it retains heat well and creates a nice sear on the chicken. However, any oven-safe skillet or baking dish will work—just ensure it can be safely transferred from the stovetop to the oven.
- Check doneness carefully. Oven temps can vary, so if your chicken breasts are on the thicker side, test with a meat thermometer—it should read 165°F at the thickest part for safe eating.
- Step up your garnish game. Beyond fresh basil, consider topping your finished pizza bake with freshly grated Parmesan and a sprinkle of crushed red pepper flakes for a little kick!
Nutrition
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This recipe was a huge hit at my house. It was delicious, easy and a repeat meal for my family.
Thank you so much for the feedback Kim! I’m so thrilled that you all enjoyed it! 🙂
Making this for dinner tonight!
Great recipe!!!
I’m always looking for kid friendly ideas, and this fits the bill!
I love this! It is one of my husbands favorite meals but I can’t bear to eat it the traditional way anymore…I will have to try this! We will all LOVE it!! Great post 🙂 Sorry, I never comment but I do read your posts…I just flit around from site to site!