If you love cozy comfort food but want something a little lighter than your usual slice, this Pizza Baked Chicken is the perfect answer. It layers juicy chicken with melty cheese, saucy goodness, and options for topping for an easy dinner that still feels fun.
Table of Contents
Ingredients You Need for Pizza Baked Chicken
- Cooking Spray – This helps the coating crisp as the chicken bakes and prevents sticking, so cleanup stays simple. Sparingly spraying the pan keeps everything golden instead of greasy.
- Italian Style Bread Crumbs – These add a crunchy, seasoned crust that brings instant Italian-inspired flavor. We love using them because they create a sturdy base for toppings without overpowering the chicken.
- Parmesan Cheese – This adds salty, nutty richness that melts into the breading. Freshly grated cheese offers the deepest flavor and helps the crust brown beautifully.
- Dried Italian Seasoning – This blend is a great way to add warm flavor to the coating, thanks to the mix of herbs like basil and oregano. It boosts the pizza-inspired profile instantly!
- Paprika – This spice adds color and subtle smoky depth to the breading. It also balances the sharper notes from the herbs and cheese.
- Egg – This helps the breadcrumb mixture stick so the chicken comes out with a crisp exterior.
- Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts – These create hearty cutlets that bake up juicy and tender. Slicing them in half helps them cook evenly while giving you more surface area for toppings.
- Olive Oil – A light drizzle encourages browning and adds a smooth, savory finish.
- Store-Bought Marinara Sauce – Using your favorite jarred sauce gives the chicken classic pizza flavor with minimal prep.
- Your Favorite Pizza Toppings – Opt for your go-to pizza toppings or get creative! We love low-moisture mozzarella, olives, bell peppers, pepperoni, basil, and onions — they all add different textures and flavors that make this dish customizable for any craving. Plus, they’re not as likely as some other vegetables to release a lot of moisture, so you won’t wind up with a watery bake. For moisture-rich veggies (like zucchini or spinach), try sauteing them ahead of time to reduce the moisture.
How to Make Pizza Baked Chicken
- Prep the pan. Lightly mist a large baking sheet so the cutlets release easily, and the coating has room to crisp up.
- Prep the chicken. Pat the sliced cutlets dry. Then, stir together the breadcrumbs, cheese, herbs, and paprika in a shallow dish. Coat each cutlet with the whisked egg before dredging it in the seasoning mixture so every side is covered with a textured layer.
- Cook the cutlets. Arrange the chicken in a single layer, alternating the way they face to give maximum room between each. Then, pour a small amount of olive oil over the top to help the coating turn golden. Bake until the crust feels firm and the chicken is cooked to 165 degrees Fahrenheit, flipping halfway through.
- Top and finish. Pour marinara across each cutlet and sprinkle mozzarella and your favorite toppings over the sauce. Place the dish back in the oven and continue to bake until everything melts into a bubbly, pizza-inspired layer.
- Serve. Allow the chicken to cool briefly before serving it on its own or with sides like salad, garlic bread, or roasted vegetables.
Variations
- Spice – Add crushed red pepper flakes to the breadcrumb coating for a little heat that balances the rich cheese and sauce.
- Sauce – Use arrabiata, pesto, or vodka sauce instead of marinara for a fresh new flavor profile. Or swap the marinara for classic pizza sauce.
- Different Cheeses – Provolone, Asiago, or fontina melt beautifully and add new layers of flavor. Or, opt for a dairy-free version.
- Veggies – Sliced mushrooms, roasted peppers, or spinach add color and freshness.
- Hawaiian Style – Add diced ham and pineapple for a sweet-savory flavor combo.
- High Protein – For even more protein, use meaty toppings or spread some cottage cheese on before adding the marinara.
- Air Fryer – To cut down on cooking time, make the chicken in an air fryer. Be sure to leave plenty of room between the cutlets so they can crisp.
- Broiler – For crispy edges, try briefly broiling that chicken after adding the marinara, cheese, and toppings.
Can I Store Leftover Pizza Chicken?
This pizza chicken bake stays flavorful for days, but the coating may soften slightly due to the sauce and cheese. Avoid using the microwave to reheat leftovers since they can become soggy that way. Instead, warming them in the oven or an air fryer will help bring some crispness back!
Store pizza baked chicken in the refrigerator in an airtight container for 3-4 days.
For longer storage, freeze individual portions tightly wrapped to keep the coating from absorbing too much moisture. Keep them in the freezer for 2-3 months.
Common Questions about Pizza Baked Chicken
Yes! You can bread the chicken and store it in the fridge overnight before baking. Or, you can bake the cutlets and store them in the fridge until you’re ready to bake them with toppings.
It can be both! Just swap the breadcrumbs for crushed pork rinds or another low-carb option, or omit them altogether.
Keeping the chicken from drying out is all about moisture and timing. Using evenly sliced cutlets helps them cook at the same rate, and a light drizzle of olive oil keeps the coating crisp while locking in juiciness. Pulling the chicken from the oven as soon as it’s cooked through—not longer—prevents it from overcooking, and adding the sauce and cheese at the end keeps everything tender and flavorful.
Absolutely! Thighs stay juicy, and they hold up well to the toppings.
More Family-Friendly Chicken Recipes
Looking for more easy chicken dinners? Check out these recipes that will have everyone asking for seconds!
Pizza Baked Chicken
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Ingredients
- Cooking spray
- 1 cup Italian style bread crumbs
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 teaspoons dried Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 egg whisked
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts (about 8 oz each), sliced in half lengthwise to make 8 cutlets
- Olive oil for drizzling
- 1 cup store-bought marinara sauce
- Your favorite pizza toppings: mozzarella olives, peppers, pepperoni, onions, etc.
Instructions
- Preheat the oven. Set the oven to 450°F. Lightly coat a large baking sheet with cooking spray.Cooking spray
- Make the breading. In a shallow bowl, combine the bread crumbs, Parmesan, Italian seasoning, and paprika. Dip each chicken cutlet into the whisked egg, then press it into the breadcrumb mixture to fully coat. Place the breaded chicken on the prepared baking sheet.1 cup Italian style bread crumbs, ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese, 2 teaspoons dried Italian seasoning, 1 teaspoon paprika, 1 egg, 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts (about 8 oz each),
- Bake the chicken. Drizzle a little olive oil over each piece. Bake for 15 minutes, flip, then bake another 10–15 minutes, or until golden and the internal temperature reaches 165°F.Olive oil
- Add the pizza toppings. Spoon marinara over each piece, top with mozzarella and your favorite pizza toppings, and return to the oven for about 10 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly.1 cup store-bought marinara sauce, Your favorite pizza toppings: mozzarella
- Serve. Allow the chicken to rest before serving on its own. Or, for sides, serve it with garlic bread, greens, or roasted veggies.
Equipment
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
