Name: Baked Pizza Chicken
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 35 min
Yield: 4
Ingredients: 1 1/4 - 1 1/2 pounds chicken breasts; 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning (salt-free); 1 teaspoon dried oregano; 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder; 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional); Kosher salt and fresh ground black pepper to taste; 1 tablespoon olive oil; 2 cups marinara or pizza sauce; 1/2 cup shredded part skim mozzarella cheese; 1/4 cup shredded parmesan cheese; 1/4 cup sliced black olives; Chopped fresh basil

This Baked Pizza Chicken is perfect for nights when you’re craving pizza, but not the crust! Top is with pepperoni and black olives or customize it with your favorite toppings!

My husband and I are big fans of pizza. We usually make or order one once a week. This spinach and artichoke dip pizza is our current favorite and in the summer we love having this chicken peach ricotta pizza with arugula and balsamic glaze.

Sometimes I make my own pizza dough, but usually we just buy some at Whole Foods. Occasionally we run into the problem of the pizza dough being frozen and there isn’t enough time to defrost it or make homemade before dinner. On those days I’ve come up with the perfect solution, Baked Pizza Chicken!

I know, it’s not truly pizza. But aside from no crust, all the flavors are there and you can customize it with whatever toppings you like. It’s also a nice option when you’re wanting something lower in carbs.

Ingredients Needed to Make Baked Pizza Chicken

boneless skinless chicken breasts
Italian seasoning, dried oregano, garlic powder, red pepper flakes
marinara sauce or pizza sauce
mozzarella and Parmesan cheese
black olives
pepperoni
fresh basil

How to Make Pizza Chicken

Making this baked pizza chicken is just as easy if not easier than making a homemade pizza.

Heat some olive oil in a large oven safe skillet and season the chicken with the spices, salt and pepper. When the oil is hot add in the chicken and cook for 3-4 minutes. Flip it over and cook several more minutes. The chicken shouldn’t be cooked through at this point.

Pour the marinara sauce into the skillet and spoon some of it onto the top of the chicken. Top everything with the mozzarella and Parmesan cheese. Place several slices of pepperoni on top of the chicken and scatter in the sliced black olives.

Bake the chicken for about 15 minutes or until the internal temperature is 165° F. Remove the skillet from the oven and garnish with fresh chopped basil.

Pizza Chicken Topping Ideas

If you’re not into pepperoni and black olives here are some alternative topping suggestions.

Italian sausage
bacon
mushrooms, bell peppers and onions. Sauté the vegetables before adding them since they won’t have enough time to cook down in the oven.
pineapple and ham for a Hawaiian version
ricotta cheese dollops in place of the Parmesan cheese

How to Serve Baked Pizza Chicken

With a big salad on the side
Garlic bread
On top of pasta
With creamy polenta
Stick it between a bun and make a sandwich

In the mood for traditional pizza with the crust? Here are some of my favorites!