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
Scale
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.
