Pepperoni Chicken

Name: Pepperoni Chicken
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 35 min
Ingredients: 4 small boneless, skinless chicken breasts; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1/2 teaspoon black pepper; 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder; 1/2 teaspoon onion powder; 1/2 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning; 1 Tablespoon vegetable oil; 1 Tablespoon butter; 24 ounce jar marinara sauce; slices of pepperoni ((you'll need 32 total) ); 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese; cooked pasta of your choice ((to serve))

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Pepperoni Chicken is an easy dinner recipe that’s ready in only 35 minutes made with tender juicy chicken, sauce, melty cheese and pepperoni.

A PIZZA INSPIRED CHICKEN RECIPE

Pepperoni Chicken is a simple, comforting weeknight meal option! This one was a huge hit with the family. If you like chicken and you like pizza toppings – this one is for you. I think it’s a super kid-friendly dish (and kid at heart dish) and it won’t take you forever to make and dirty up a bunch of dishes!

A wooden serving utensil holding a serving of Pepperoni Chicken.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ’S)

What else can I add to this chicken?

You can add any of your favorite pizza toppings to make this a Pizza Chicken rather than just Pepperoni Chicken. Green peppers, onion and mushrooms all work.

Do I have to broil the cheese?

The broil step is totally optional. The broiling just browns the cheese a bit. If you just like melted cheese (without the browning) just place the lid back on until the cheese is melted.

Can I swap out the marinara sauce?

Yes, you can swap it out for pizza sauce, a regular tomato sauce, or even a pesto sauce in its place.

What can I serve with this Pepperoni Chicken?

We liked it served with pasta but you can serve it all by itself. You can also serve with egg noodles and/or garlic bread.

What do I do if I can only find large chicken breasts?

I find that the chicken breasts that are individually wrapped and then put in bags or packaging, tend to be smaller than the bulk wrapped chicken breasts (see my ingredient image below.) Perdue also produces a bag of them called “Perfect Portions.” However, if your chicken breasts are fairly large you can just use those and adjust the cooking time or you can flatten them a bit with a meat pounder.

How to store leftover Pepperoni Chicken?

Keep leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days in an airtight container. Or you can keep them longer in the freezer for up to 3 months.

A skillet of Pepperoni Chicken with a wooden spoon.

INGREDIENTS NEEDED: (SEE RECIPE CARD BELOW FOR THE FULL RECIPE)

boneless skinless chicken breasts– I used smaller chicken breasts, but if you choose to use larger ones, you’ll ned to adjust the cooking time accordingly. You could even pound out the chicken to make them a bit thinner as well. Additionally, you can use boneless chicken thighs.
salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning – season the chicken with whatever your favorite seasoning blend may be. I find these seasonings work really well together without overpowering the other flavors
marinara sauce– use your favorite brand, or make your own Homemade Marinara Sauce.
pepperoni slices – like I mention above, use your favorite pizza toppings and really have fun getting creative with this recipe!
shredded mozzarella cheese– you can swap this out for provolone cheese. You could simply lay a slice over the chicken and let it melt.

Vegetable oil, chicken breast, pepperoni, garlic powder, salt, pepper, onion powder, Italian seasoning, butter, marinara sauce, mozzarella cheese, and pasta.

HOW TO MAKE PEPPERONI CHICKEN

Season the chicken on both sides with the salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and Italian seasoning. In a large oven-safe skillet over medium heat, add the oil and butter. Once hot, sear the chicken on both sides until browned, about 5 minutes per side. Place the chicken on a plate.

collage of two photos: seasoned raw chicken on a plate; cooked chicken breasts in skillet.

Wipe out the pan and add the marinara sauce; bring to a simmer. Add the chicken back to the pan, cover it, and simmer it until it is cooked through to an internal temperature of 165°F (about 5-10 minutes). Stir occasionally so nothing burns on the bottom.

collage of two photos: a skillet of marinara sauce; partially cooked chicken breasts added to marinara sauce in skillet.

Add 4 pieces of pepperoni on top of each piece of chicken. Divide the cheese among the four pieces and place on top of the pepperoni.

collage of two photos: pepperoni placed on top of each chicken breast in marinara sauce; shredded cheese added on top of pepperoni layer.

Top each piece with 4 more pepperoni slices. Cover the skillet with a lid and give the cheese a few minutes to melt. Or place under the broiler in the oven until the cheese is browned; keep an eye on it so it doesn’t burn (make sure your pan is oven/broiler safe).