This pizza chicken bake recipe has all of the flavors of a pepperoni pizza stuffed inside chicken breasts for a low-carb family meal! I stuff pepperonis and mozzarella right inside the chicken, top it with more cheese, then bake it in loads of marinara sauce. It’s made with just a handful of ingredients, it’s quick enough for weeknight dinners, and the kids love this pizza-inspired chicken dish as much as I do!
Top Reader Reviews
This was a huge hit with the kids! They’ve actually had me make it twice this week.:)
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Ok so I bought thin sliced breasts and couldn’t stuff them. I doubled the seasoning ingredients except for the Italian seasoning—personal preference—put in a plastic bag with the chicken and shook it around. Followed the rest of the directions and this was awesome. Like chicken parm with pepperoni but with no breading and not fried. Yummo!
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Pizza Stuffed Chicken Breast Bake
This pizza chicken recipe has everything I love about stuffed chicken breasts and pepperoni pizza combined into one easy casserole. Pepperonis, mozzarella, pizza sauce, and juicy chicken breasts are layered together then baked up until hot and bubbly. Yum!
And of course I love how simple this cheesy pepperoni pizza chicken bake is to make. It only takes about 15 minutes to prep and then into the oven it goes! I would bet that you already have most of the ingredients for this chicken and pepperoni recipe in your pantry and fridge, so dinner will be ready in no time. If your kids are anything like mine, they’ll be asking for this over and over again!
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Secure the Chicken
To keep the filling from spilling out, secure each pizza stuffed chicken breast with toothpicks before baking. And avoid overstuffing–just a few slices of pepperoni and a spoonful of sauce and mozzarella go a long way. This helps the chicken cook evenly and ensures every bite is cheesy and flavorful without making (too much of) a mess.
Pepperoni Pizza Stuffed Chicken Bake Recipe
Equipment
- 9×13-inch Baking Dish
Ingredients
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (*)
- ½ tablespoon olive oil
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 24 ounces marinara sauce (1 jar**)
- 4 slices thick-cut mozzarella cheese (***)
- 30 slices pepperoni (****)
- 1 cup freshly shredded mozzarella cheese
- ⅛ cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400ºF. Spray a large baking dish with nonstick spray.
Stuff the Chicken:
- Add olive oil, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning to a bowl, and whisk to combine.½ tablespoon olive oil, ½ teaspoon kosher salt, 2 teaspoons garlic powder, 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning, ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- Butterfly each chicken breast: cut ⅔ way through horizontally, but do not cut all the way through.4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Evenly distribute the seasoning mix between the 4 chicken breasts, and rub to fully coat both sides.
- Take one chicken breast and open to expose the inside of the butterfly cut.
- Place a slice of mozzarella inside each chicken breast, then top with 5 slices of pepperoni. Add a spoonful of marinara and then top with a sprinkle of grated parmesan.4 slices thick-cut mozzarella cheese, 30 slices pepperoni, ⅛ cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
- Secure chicken breasts with toothpicks if needed.
Bake:
- Pour half of the marinara into the bottom of the baking dish and spread into a thin layer.24 ounces marinara sauce
- Arrange stuffed chicken breasts in the baking dish, directly in the marinara.
- Top the chicken breasts with the rest of the marinara and use a spoon to make sure the breasts are fully covered.24 ounces marinara sauce
- Top the marinara with the shredded mozzarella, remaining pepperoni, and remaining grated parm. Sprinkle with more Italian seasoning if desired.30 slices pepperoni, 1 cup freshly shredded mozzarella cheese, ⅛ cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
- Bake for 25 minutes, or until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F.
Notes
- When butterflying the chicken breasts for stuffing, be careful not to slice all the way through. It should remain attached on one side.
- Use toothpicks to help secure the stuffed chicken breasts while they bake. But be sure to remove them before serving!
- Chicken breasts should reach an internal temperature of 165°F before consuming. Bake time may vary depending on the thickness of the chicken.
- Try adding softened cream cheese inside each chicken breast for a creamier result.
- If you prefer, use thinly-sliced chicken breasts and skip the stuffing. Simply layer everything into a casserole dish and bake.
- I love to serve this pizza chicken bake with garlic bread or garlic knots to make it feel like pizza night!
Note: Water, salt, pepper, oil, and broth are not counted as ingredients on this site.
How to Make Pepperoni Pizza Chicken Step by Step
Prep: Gather the list of ingredients for this pepperoni chicken recipe. Preheat your oven to 400ºF, and spray a large baking dish with nonstick spray. Shred the cheeses so everything is ready to go.
Season the Chicken: Add ½ tablespoon of olive oil, 2 teaspoons of garlic powder, 2 teaspoons of Italian seasoning, ½ teaspoon of kosher salt, and ½ teaspoon of ground black pepper to a small bowl, and combine. Use a paring knife or Chef’s knife to carefully butterfly 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts. Cut ⅔ of the way through horizontally, but do not cut all the way through. Fully coat all 4 chicken breasts in the seasoning mixture.
Stuff the Chicken: Pour 12 ounces of marinara sauce into the bottom of the baking dish and spread into a thin layer. Take one chicken breast and open it to expose the inside of the butterfly cut. Place a slice of mozzarella inside each chicken breast, then top with 5 slices of pepperoni.
Finish Stuffing: Add a spoonful of marinara to each breast and then top with a sprinkle of grated parmesan. Close the chicken breast (secure with toothpicks if needed) and lay it in the baking dish. Repeat with all four chicken breasts.
Top with Marinara: Top the chicken breasts with the rest of the marinara from the jar (about 12 ounces), and use a spoon to make sure the breasts are all fully covered. This will help keep them all moist and juicy while baking in the oven.
Finish Assembling: On top of the marinara, add 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese, the remaining pepperonis, and the rest of the grated parmesan cheese. Sprinkle with more Italian seasoning if desired.
Bake: Bake pizza chicken at 400°F for 25 minutes, or until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F.
How to Store, Freeze, and Reheat
To save leftover pepperoni baked chicken casserole, transfer it to an airtight container, or cover the cooled baking dish with foil or plastic wrap. Store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, or in the freezer for up to 3 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating in a 350°F oven until fully warmed through.
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