If you love the flavors of your favorite pizzeria but want a quick and satisfying dinner that’s a little lighter, this Pizza Chicken Recipe is about to become your new go-to. Imagine tender, perfectly seasoned chicken breasts smothered in rich pizza sauce, gooey melted cheese, and all your favorite toppings—all cooked together in one skillet. It’s like pizza and chicken had a delicious, home-cooked baby, bringing that classic Italian-American charm right to your dinner table in less than 30 minutes. Trust me, this dish hits all the right spots and makes weeknight dinners feel like a fun treat!
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering ingredients for this recipe is refreshingly straightforward. Each one plays a crucial role in building that familiar pizza flavor profile while keeping the dish balanced and approachable. These essentials not only bring flavor and texture but also add vibrant color that will make your plate look as good as it tastes.
- Chicken breasts: Choose about 1 pound, either halved or pounded thin to ensure quick, even cooking and tender bites.
- Seasoned salt: A subtle flavor boost that brings savory depth to the chicken, so every bite is well-seasoned.
- Black pepper: Freshly ground for a mild kick and aromatic touch.
- Dried oregano: A classic pizza herb that gives a familiar Italian flair to the dish.
- Pizza sauce or marinara: The saucy heart of the recipe, delivering tangy tomato goodness.
- Parmesan cheese: Freshly grated to add a salty, nutty contrast that enhances the cheese blend.
- Shredded mozzarella or pizza blend cheese: Melts beautifully to create that irresistible gooey layer.
- Pizza toppings of choice: Anytime favorites like pepperoni, black olives, mushrooms, bell peppers, or onions—personalize this dish exactly how you love it!
How to Make Pizza Chicken Recipe
Step 1: Prepare and Season the Chicken
Start by heating your skillet on medium-high and giving it a light coating of nonstick spray or oil to prevent sticking. Season your chicken breasts generously with seasoned salt, black pepper, and a little dried oregano on both sides. These simple seasonings bring out the chicken’s natural flavor and pair perfectly with the pizza components.
Step 2: Brown the Chicken
Place the chicken in the hot skillet and cook until it develops a beautiful golden crust. This should take about 1 to 2 minutes per side if your cutlets are thin, or 3 to 4 minutes for thicker pieces. This browning adds a lovely texture and locks in juices that keep the chicken tender throughout cooking.
Step 3: Add Sauce, Cheese, and Toppings
Flip the chicken over and reduce the heat to medium for gentle cooking. Spoon roughly two tablespoons of your chosen pizza sauce over each chicken piece, then sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and shredded mozzarella—or pizza blend if you want a mix of flavors. Next, pile on your favorite pizza toppings to make this truly your own creation.
Step 4: Cook Covered Until Melted and Done
Cover the skillet with a lid to trap the heat and help melt all the cheesy goodness while the chicken finishes cooking through. This will take about 5 to 7 minutes, depending on your chicken thickness. When the cheese is bubbly and perfectly melted, and the chicken reaches a safe internal temperature, you’re ready to serve.
How to Serve Pizza Chicken Recipe
Garnishes
A sprinkle of fresh chopped basil or parsley adds a pop of green and a fresh aroma that balances the rich cheese and sauce. A light drizzle of extra virgin olive oil or a sprinkle of red pepper flakes can bring some delicious complexity and a touch of heat.
Side Dishes
This dish pairs wonderfully with simple sides that complement but don’t overpower the pizza flavors. Think crisp arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette, roasted garlic broccoli, or even a light pasta tossed with olive oil and herbs. For a low-carb option, cauliflower rice or sautéed zucchini noodles are fantastic choices.
Creative Ways to Present
Want to impress your friends or family? Serve pizza chicken on a rustic wooden board surrounded by little bowls of extra toppings or dipping sauces like ranch or garlic aioli. You can also slice the chicken into strips for a fun appetizer-style platter alongside crusty bread to soak up every delicious bit of sauce.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once cooled, store any leftover pizza chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will keep well for up to 3 days and remains tasty and moist when reheated gently.
Freezing
This recipe freezes beautifully! Wrap individual portions tightly in plastic wrap and then in foil or place in freezer-safe containers. Frozen pizza chicken lasts up to 2 months, making it a convenient ready-made meal solution.
Reheating
To enjoy leftovers, reheat pizza chicken in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10-15 minutes until warmed through and the cheese is bubbly again. Avoid the microwave if possible to keep the chicken from drying out.
FAQs
Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?
Absolutely! Chicken thighs provide a bit more juiciness and rich flavor, but cook similarly. Just keep an eye on the cooking time as thighs may take a few minutes longer to reach doneness.
What if I don’t have pizza sauce?
You can substitute marinara sauce or even a simple blend of crushed tomatoes with Italian seasoning. The key is to have a flavorful tomato base that complements the cheese and toppings.
Can this recipe be made gluten-free?
Yes! This recipe is naturally gluten-free as long as your pizza sauce and any seasonings you use don’t contain hidden gluten. Always check labels to be sure.
How spicy is this dish?
The basic recipe isn’t spicy, but you can easily add red pepper flakes, spicy sausage toppings, or a drizzle of hot sauce to kick up the heat to your liking.
Is this recipe suitable for meal prep?
Definitely! Pizza chicken makes a great make-ahead meal. Prepare in advance and store portions individually for quick lunches or dinners throughout the week.
Final Thoughts
I can’t recommend this Pizza Chicken Recipe enough for anyone craving those classic pizza flavors without turning on the oven or ordering out. It’s quick, full of comforting taste, and versatile enough to customize every time you make it. Give it a try soon—you just might find it becomes one of your favorite weeknight meal hacks!
Print
Delicious Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Description
This Pizza Chicken recipe transforms simple chicken breasts into a cheesy, flavorful dish inspired by classic pizza toppings. Perfect for a quick dinner, the chicken is pan-seared and then topped with pizza sauce, Parmesan, mozzarella, and your favorite toppings before being cooked covered until the cheese melts and the chicken is juicy and tender.
Ingredients
Chicken
- 2 chicken breasts (about 1 lb), halved or pounded thin
- Seasoned salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- Dried oregano, a pinch
Toppings & Sauce
- 1/2 cup pizza sauce or marinara sauce
- 1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 4 oz shredded mozzarella or pizza-blend cheese
- Pizza toppings of choice (pepperoni, sliced black olives, mushrooms, bell peppers, onions, etc.)
Instructions
- Heat the skillet: Preheat a large skillet over medium-high heat and lightly coat it with nonstick spray or a small amount of oil to prevent sticking.
- Season the chicken: Season both sides of the chicken breasts with seasoned salt, black pepper, and a pinch of dried oregano for added flavor.
- Cook the first side: Place the chicken into the hot skillet and cook until golden brown on the first side. This will take about 1–2 minutes for thinner cutlets or 3–4 minutes for thicker pieces.
- Flip and reduce heat: Turn the chicken over and lower the heat to medium to ensure even cooking without burning.
- Add sauce and toppings: Spoon approximately 2 tablespoons of pizza sauce on each chicken piece, then sprinkle with Parmesan cheese, shredded mozzarella, and your preferred pizza toppings.
- Cover and cook: Cover the skillet with a lid to allow the chicken to cook through and the cheese to melt beautifully; this should take about 5–7 minutes.
- Serve: Remove the skillet from the heat and serve the cheesy pizza chicken immediately, enjoying the mix of savory flavors.
Notes
- You can use pre-sliced or diced pizza toppings for convenience.
- Adjust seasoning to your taste preferences – adding garlic powder or red pepper flakes can add extra flavor.
- Ensure chicken is fully cooked to an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) for safety.
- Use a lid to help melt the cheese evenly and keep the chicken moist.
- This recipe works well with either thinly pounded chicken breasts or halved thicker breasts.
