Yields: 4 Servings
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 25 – 30 minutes
Ingredients:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (thinly pounded for quicker cooking)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 cup sugar-free marinara or pizza sauce
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Optional toppings: Pepperoni slices, sliced mushrooms, black olives, bell peppers, etc.
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
- Prepare the Chicken: Pound the chicken breasts to an even thickness (about 1/2 inch) for quick and even cooking. Season both sides of the chicken with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning.
- Sear the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook for 2-3 minutes per side, or until golden brown.
- Assemble: Transfer the chicken breasts to the prepared baking dish. Spread about 1/4 cup of marinara or pizza sauce on each breast. Top with mozzarella cheese, followed by your choice of toppings. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through (internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F / 74 degrees C) and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Serve: Let the pizza chicken rest for a few minutes before slicing and serving. Garnish with fresh basil or parsley if desired.
Tips:
- Variations: Feel free to experiment with different pizza toppings or cheeses, like a Mexican twist with taco seasoning, salsa, and cheddar.
- Leftovers: This dish reheats well. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- No Pounding: If you don’t want to pound the chicken, simply adjust the cooking time accordingly. Thicker breasts may take an extra 5-10 minutes to cook through.
Enjoy your delicious, low-carb pizza chicken!
