Description
Crafting one pan pizza chicken means bringing together your favorite pizza toppings and juicy chicken in a simple, hearty dinner that comes together faster than ordering takeout. Melted cheese, crispy edges, and bold flavor make this weeknight meal a total game-changer for hungry families craving something delicious and easy.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 cup pizza sauce
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Supporting Ingredients:
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ cup mini pepperoni or turkey pepperoni
Seasonings:
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Fresh basil or parsley
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to exactly 400°F and position the rack in the center position.
- Sprinkle 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning and 1 teaspoon garlic powder evenly over all 4 chicken breasts.
- Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat for 1-2 minutes until shimmering.
- Place seasoned chicken breasts into hot skillet and sear for exactly 2-3 minutes per side until a golden-brown crust develops.
- Pour 1 cup pizza sauce directly over the seared chicken, spreading it evenly across each piece.
- Scatter 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese over the sauce, ensuring complete chicken coverage.
- Sprinkle ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese across the top of each chicken breast.
- Distribute ½ cup mini pepperoni across the cheese layer to create an even topping.
- Transfer the skillet into the preheated 400°F oven and bake for precisely 20-25 minutes until chicken reaches 165°F internal temperature.
- Remove skillet from oven and let chicken rest for 3-5 minutes before serving.
- Optionally garnish with fresh chopped basil or parsley just before serving.
Notes
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken reaches 165°F for safe eating without overcooking.
- Choose thinner chicken breasts for more even cooking and faster preparation time.
- Swap pepperoni with turkey pepperoni or diced bell peppers for a lighter protein option.
- Cast iron skillet works best for getting a perfect golden sear and crispy cheese edges.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Chicken
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 850 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 8 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 43 g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg