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.
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.
Video
Notes
*Use boneless, skinless chicken breast for this recipe. Medium-to-large breasts with a little bit of thickness to them are best for stuffing. Boneless thighs can be used too.**Use a jar of your favorite marinara or pizza sauce. Adjust the seasonings if needed.***This recipe calls for both slices and shredded mozzarella. I recommend buying a block so you can cut thick slices to stuff, and freshly-shred the rest of the block to top it.****Use regular slices of pepperoni to stuff the chicken. Mini pepperonis will work too, you'll just need more of them!Tips:
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!
Make Ahead: Prepare this dish as instructed, then cover and refrigerate until ready to bake. Bake within 24 hours for best results. Let it sit on the counter to come to room temp while the oven preheats.Storage: Store pizza chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 days, or freeze for 3 months.