Easy Pizza Stuffed Chicken Breasts are the best way to satisfy your pizza cravings with zero guilt! Oozing with rich marinara sauce, crispy pepperoni, and gooey mozzarella cheese, they have all the flavors you love in a quick, high-protein meal you’ll make again and again.
There’s nothing that can outshine a quick chicken recipe! From coconut chicken tenders, to chicken and broccoli rice, and crock pot chicken fajitas, the simple protein is a lifesaver on busy weeknights. However, this pizza stuffed chicken is our go-to recipe on those nights when we’re really craving takeout but are trying to give our wallets (and waistlines) a break. In fact, it’s so crave-worthy, our kids regularly ask for it by name!
Why You’ll Love Pizza Baked Chicken Breasts
- It uses just eight simple ingredients.
- You can easily mix and match all your favorite toppings.
- This pizza chicken recipe makes enough to feed the whole family and bakes in about 30 minutes.
- It’s super filling on its own for a low-carb, high-protein dinner and pairs great with all your favorite side dishes, too.
Ingredients You Need
For this pizza stuffed chicken, we took classic pizza ingredients and replaced the crust with chicken instead. Here’s what you need:
- Chicken – We found that boneless, skinless chicken breasts work best. However, chicken thighs can be used, if preferred. They’re just a little more difficult to stuff.
- Marinara – To keep things simple, we just grab a jar from the store, but you could easily make your own at home.
- Pepperoni – We use turkey pepperoni, but regular pepperoni also works like a charm.
- Cheese – You can’t have a pizza recipe without cheese (at least not in our house!). Shredded mozzarella makes this chicken extra gooey and delicious. For the best results, use a block of cheese, and shred it yourself.
- Seasonings – Dried Italian herbs, garlic powder, salt, and pepper create the classic pizza flavors.
- Oil – Olive oil is used to sear the chicken, locking in flavor and keeping it tender as it bakes.
How to Make Easy Pizza Stuffed Chicken Breasts
This pizza-stuffed chicken can be prepared in less time than it takes for a pizza to be delivered!
- Prepare the chicken. Butterfly the chicken, slicing it down the center. Sprinkle the herbs and spices in the center.
TIP: Try to choose equal-sized chicken breasts. Then, if they’re super thick, use a meat mallet to thin them out to ensure they cook quickly and more evenly.
- Stuff. Layer marinara, pepperoni, and cheese in the pocket. Fold the chicken over, and sprinkle extra seasonings on top.
- Sear. Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the chicken on both sides until it is browned.
- Bake. Pour the remaining marinara over the chicken in the skillet. Add the remaining pepperoni and cheese on top. Bake until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit with an instant read thermometer.
- Serve. Set the chicken aside to rest for about five minutes. Then, enjoy your pizza baked chicken with extra Parmesan and crushed red pepper flakes while it’s warm!
Flavor Variations
Take a peek at your local pizzeria’s menu, and you’re bound to see plenty of options for topping your ‘za. That’s part of what makes pizza so appealing!
While we opted to make pepperoni the star of our pizza-stuffed chicken, the flavor options and combinations are truly endless. Here are a few of our favorite toppings that are guaranteed to turn up the flavor in this healthy twist on traditional pizza:
- Adding veggies like bell pepper, onions, or mushrooms.
- Using pineapple (This is blasphemy for some, but you do you!).
- Sprinkling in olives.
- Adding barbeque sauce.
- Folding in ham chunks.
Common Questions About This Pizza Stuffed Chicken Breasts Recipe
Absolutely! Feel free to include any pizza toppings you like best. Pepperoni, ham pieces, pineapple, olives, green peppers, onions, etc. would all taste great.
This recipe can easily be served as a complete meal on its own. However, it also pairs well with a variety of sides and appetizers like our spiraled cucumber yogurt salad, air fryer potato wedges, no knead cheesy focaccia bread, cheesy garlic knots, pesto pasta salad, and Greek salad.
And don’t forget dessert! You can never go wrong with a chocolate brownie pizza tart or cannoli dip!
Stored in an airtight container in the fridge, leftovers will stay fresh for up to three days.
Yes, this recipe can be frozen for up to three months.
When you’re ready to eat, thaw your frozen pizza chicken in the fridge overnight. Then, Warm your chicken in a skillet over medium heat on the stove. Or, place it back in the oven until heated through.
More Pizza-Inspired Recipes
Pizza Stuffed Chicken Breasts
Ingredients
- 3-4 chicken breasts about 6 ounces each
- 1 Tablespoon dried Italian herbs divided
- 1 Tablespoon garlic powder divided
- Kosher salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
- 1 24-ounce jar marinara sauce
- 1 cup turkey pepperoni slices
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese divided
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Place the chicken on a cutting board, and use a sharp knife to slice down the center creating a pocket in each breast.3-4 chicken breasts
- Sprinkle the Italian herbs, garlic powder, salt, and pepper in the middle of the chicken. Add 2 Tablespoons of marinara sauce on top followed by 3-4 pepperoni slices and ¼-⅓ cup Mozzarella cheese.1 Tablespoon dried Italian herbs, 1 Tablespoon garlic powder, Kosher salt to taste, Black pepper to taste, 1 24-ounce jar marinara sauce, 1 cup turkey pepperoni slices, 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- Fold the chicken onto itself, and add more seasonings.
- Heat the oil in a non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the chicken on both sides just until browned.2 Tablespoons olive oil
- Pour the remaining marinara on top followed by the cheese and pepperoni.
- Bake uncovered 25-30 minutes or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Serve warm with extra Parmesan cheese and crushed red pepper flakes, if desired.
- Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Video
Equipment
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
