Introduction

Oh, hey there, friend! Remember those nights when you’re craving something delicious and comforting, but the thought of a complicated cooking process just makes you want to order takeout? I’ve been there! That’s exactly why I’m so excited to share this Chicken Pizza Bake recipe with you. It’s like a warm hug in a dish, bringing all the best flavors of your favorite pizza into a super simple, oven-baked meal. You’ll be amazed at how quickly this comes together, making it perfect for those busy weeknights or when you just want a fuss-free, satisfying dinner.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Fast: Seriously, from start to finish, this is ready in under an hour!
Easy: Minimal chopping and simple layering – even if you’re a kitchen newbie, you’ve got this.
Giftable: Imagine making a batch and gifting it to a friend who just had a baby or is feeling under the weather. They’ll be so grateful!
Crowd-Pleasing: Kids and adults alike adore pizza flavors, so this is guaranteed to be a hit at any gathering.

Ingredients

Gathering your ingredients is the first step to a delicious meal! Here’s what you’ll need:

2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 8 oz each) – The star of our show!
1 Tbsp olive oil, plus a little extra for sautéing – Good quality olive oil makes a difference!
1/2 tsp dried oregano – That classic pizza herb we all love.
1/2 tsp fine sea salt, plus more to taste – Don’t be shy with seasoning!
1/2 tsp garlic powder – Because garlic makes everything better.
1/2 tsp freshly cracked black pepper, plus more to taste – Freshly cracked pepper has so much more flavor.
1/2 cup pizza sauce – Use your favorite jarred sauce or even homemade if you’re feeling fancy!
1 cup shredded low-moisture, part-skim mozzarella cheese – The perfect melty topping.
1 Roma tomato, thinly sliced into 8 pieces – Adds a touch of freshness and color.
8 slices pepperoni – Because what’s pizza without pepperoni?
Fresh basil leaves, for garnish (optional) – A little pop of green and freshness if you have some on hand.

How to Make It

Alright, let’s get cooking! Grab your apron and let’s dive in.

Preheat Your Oven: First things first, get your oven preheating to 400°F (200°C). This ensures everything cooks evenly.
Prep the Chicken: Take your chicken breasts and slice them horizontally. This just makes them thinner, which helps them cook faster and more evenly. Think of them as little chicken cutlets!
Season ‘Em Up: Now, it’s time to season both sides of those chicken cutlets. Sprinkle on the dried oregano, salt, garlic powder, and black pepper. Give them a little rub to make sure they’re nicely coated.
Get Sizzling: Heat up your oven-safe skillet (this is key for going from stovetop to oven!) over medium-high heat. Add a tablespoon of olive oil. Once the oil is shimmering, carefully place your seasoned chicken cutlets in the skillet.
Sear to Golden: Let them sear for about 2-3 minutes per side. You’re looking for a beautiful golden-brown color. This step locks in all those yummy juices.
Sauce it Up: Take the skillet off the heat. Now, spoon that delicious pizza sauce right over the top of each chicken cutlet.
Cheese, Please!: Next, generously sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese over the sauce. Don’t hold back – more cheese is always a good idea!
Add the Toppings: Artfully arrange your thinly sliced Roma tomato pieces over the cheese, and then lay the pepperoni slices on top. It’s starting to look like a pizza, right?
Into the Oven: Carefully transfer the entire skillet into your preheated oven.
Bake to Perfection: Let it bake for 15-20 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when the chicken is cooked through and the cheese is all melted and bubbly, maybe even getting a little golden around the edges.
Garnish (Optional): Once it’s out of the oven and smelling amazing, you can sprinkle some fresh basil leaves over the top for a pop of color and freshness.

Substitutions & Additions

Feeling creative? This recipe is super adaptable! Here are a few ideas:

Veggie Power: Add some sautéed mushrooms, bell peppers, or onions before topping with cheese.
Spice it Up: A pinch of red pepper flakes added with the seasonings will give it a little kick.
Different Cheese: While mozzarella is classic, try a sprinkle of parmesan or a mix of Italian cheeses.
No Oven-Safe Skillet?: If you don’t have one, you can sear the chicken in a regular skillet and then transfer it to a baking dish before adding the toppings and baking.
Different Meat: This would also work beautifully with thinly sliced pork tenderloin or even chicken thighs!

Tips for Success

A few little tricks can make this recipe even more foolproof!

Don’t Overcrowd the Skillet: When searing the chicken, make sure the pieces aren’t touching too much. This helps them brown nicely instead of steaming. If needed, sear in batches.
Even Thickness: Slicing the chicken horizontally is key for even cooking. If your chicken breasts are really uneven, you can gently pound them to an even thickness before slicing.
Prep Ahead: You can season the chicken cutlets earlier in the day and keep them covered in the fridge. You can also slice the tomato and have all your toppings ready to go.
Check for Doneness: The best way to ensure chicken is cooked is to use a meat thermometer. It should register 165°F (74°C) in the thickest part of the chicken.

How to Store It

Got leftovers? Lucky you! This Chicken Pizza Bake reheats beautifully.

Once cooled, store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. To reheat, you can pop it in a toaster oven or microwave. For a crispier finish, reheating in the oven at around 350°F (175°C) for about 10-15 minutes is ideal.

FAQs

Can I make this ahead of time?

You can certainly prep the chicken by seasoning it and slicing the tomato ahead of time. However, for the best texture and flavor, it’s best to assemble and bake it just before serving.

What kind of pizza sauce should I use?

Any jarred pizza sauce you love will work great! You can also use a marinara sauce if that’s what you have on hand.

Can I add other vegetables?

Absolutely! Sautéed mushrooms, bell peppers, onions, or even some spinach can be added before topping with cheese. Just make sure to cook them a bit first so they soften.

Easy Chicken Pizza Bake

A fuss-free, flavorful weeknight meal that brings all the best flavors of pizza into a simple, oven-baked dish.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 25

Servings 2 servings

Equipment

oven-safe skillet Or a regular skillet and a baking dish
Oven
Meat thermometer Optional, for checking chicken doneness

Ingredients

Main ingredients

2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts about 8 oz each
1 Tbsp olive oil plus a little extra for sautéing
0.5 tsp dried oregano
0.5 tsp fine sea salt plus more to taste
0.5 tsp garlic powder
0.5 tsp freshly cracked black pepper plus more to taste
0.5 cup pizza sauce Use your favorite jarred sauce or even homemade
1 cup shredded low-moisture, part-skim mozzarella cheese
8 slices pepperoni
Fresh basil leaves for garnish (optional)

Instructions

Preheat Your Oven: First things first, get your oven preheating to 400°F (200°C). This ensures everything cooks evenly.
Prep the Chicken: Take your chicken breasts and slice them horizontally. This just makes them thinner, which helps them cook faster and more evenly. Think of them as little chicken cutlets!
2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Season 'Em Up: Now, it's time to season both sides of those chicken cutlets. Sprinkle on the dried oregano, salt, garlic powder, and black pepper. Give them a little rub to make sure they’re nicely coated.
2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Get Sizzling: Heat up your oven-safe skillet (this is key for going from stovetop to oven!) over medium-high heat. Add a tablespoon of olive oil. Once the oil is shimmering, carefully place your seasoned chicken cutlets in the skillet.
2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Sear to Golden: Let them sear for about 2-3 minutes per side. You're looking for a beautiful golden-brown color. This step locks in all those yummy juices.
Sauce it Up: Take the skillet off the heat. Now, spoon that delicious pizza sauce right over the top of each chicken cutlet.
2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Cheese, Please!: Next, generously sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese over the sauce. Don't hold back – more cheese is always a good idea!
2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Add the Toppings: Artfully arrange your thinly sliced Roma tomato pieces over the cheese, and then lay the pepperoni slices on top. It’s starting to look like a pizza, right?
2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Into the Oven: Carefully transfer the entire skillet into your preheated oven.
Bake to Perfection: Let it bake for 15-20 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when the chicken is cooked through and the cheese is all melted and bubbly, maybe even getting a little golden around the edges.
Garnish (Optional): Once it’s out of the oven and smelling amazing, you can sprinkle some fresh basil leaves over the top for a pop of color and freshness.
2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts

Notes

You can prep the chicken by seasoning it and slicing the tomato ahead of time. For a crispier finish when reheating, use an oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10-15 minutes.