Pizza Chicken
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This Pizza Chicken recipe will be your new favorite dinner recipe. Made with four ingredients in 15 minutes flat, this is a fabulous weeknight dinner the whole family will love!
If you’re wondering what to do with leftover chicken, look no further than this recipe! Pizza Chicken is made in one skillet in under 15 minutes with just four ingredients. What could be better? Or easier?
Best of all, though, is that my kids absolutely LOVE it. And I love seeing them enjoy real food. Plus, if you have any dietary restrictions, it’s gluten free, low carb, and keto!
Other recipes with their stamp of approval? My Orange Sesame Chicken & Broccoli, my Sloppy Joe Baked Potatoes, and my Pesto Chicken & Spaghetti Squash Bake, just to name a few. They also love these Pizza Muffins!
Instant download of our tips to cook the best chicken!
Why This Recipe is a Winner for Dinner
This recipe is lightning fast, and easy to make with just a few ingredients you probably already have on hand. It also curbs pizza cravings! It has all the melty cheese, sauce, and toppings you love, just without the pizza crust.
The best part is that it’s a fantastic way to use up leftovers. Whenever I have cooked chicken in the fridge, this is one of my go-to meals to keep food from going to waste!
Happy Kitchen Secrets
Here are the most important mom-tested cooking tips for making pizza chicken! I’ve tested and made this recipe countless times, to save you from a failed attempt.
- Portion your chicken. If you have very large chicken pieces, cut the chicken breast in half and then follow the remaining directions in the recipe. It’s easier to heat up and easier to portion this way!
- Use a lid for melty cheese. Don’t skip covering the skillet! This helps the cheese melt quickly and evenly.
- Broil for bubbly edges. For that golden-brown cheesy finish, pop the skillet under the broiler for 1-2 minutes at the end.
Recipe Ingredients
- Chicken Breasts: I prefer to use leftover cooked boneless, skinless chicken breasts or chicken thighs for this recipe as the skin can get soggy under the cheese and sauce. There are instructions below for using raw chicken, too!
- Mozzarella Cheese: I prefer to use slices of mozzarella, but shredded mozzarella works too. If you don’t have mozzarella on hand, you could also use Provolone or another similar melty cheese.
- Pepperoni: This is one of my favorite pizza toppings, but add any other pizza toppings you enjoy, like green bell peppers or black olives.
- Pizza Sauce: If you’d like this recipe to be low-carb, use a keto pizza sauce. You could also get away with using pasta sauce! Just add an extra sprinkle of oregano for that classic pizza flavor.
- Fresh Basil, optional: Adds a fragrant, fresh taste and a pop of color to the dish.
Substitutions and Variations
Garlic powder: For extra garlicky flavor, try adding a dash of garlic powder to the dish.
Italian seasoning: A pinch of Italian seasoning can liven up the whole dish. You can also choose another dried herb or spice of your choice, like oregano or even rosemary!
Grated Parmesan: Try adding some salty, savory grated Parmesan to your finished dish for an extra cheesy bite.
How to Make Pizza Chicken
- If you need to cook the chicken, heat about a tablespoon of oil over medium heat in a large skillet. Add the chicken breasts and cook 6-7 minutes without moving them. Flip the chicken breasts and cook for another 6-7 minutes, until cooked through. Then, spread half of the sauce on the bottom of a large skillet. Arrange the cooked chicken breasts inside the skillet. Drizzle the rest of the sauce on top of the chicken.
- Slice the mozzarella cheese and lay it on top of the grilled chicken.
- Place your pepperoni and any other toppings on top of the cheese.
4. Cover the skillet and cook on medium-low for about 6-7 minutes or until the sauce is bubbling and the cheese is melty. Optionally, you can finish it under the broiler for about 2 minutes. Sprinkle with basil & serve.
See? Didn’t I tell you it was easy? I like to serve pizza chicken with some keto-friendly vegetables like spaghetti squash (cooked in the oven or Instant Pot) or air fryer zucchini. You’ll never look at leftover chicken the same once you see how it comes to life in this recipe!
FAQ
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days.
Reheat in the microwave in 30-second intervals until warmed through, or place it in a covered skillet over low heat until the cheese is melted and the chicken is heated to 165°F.
Absolutely! This recipe works with chicken thighs or even chicken drumsticks. Just make sure the chicken is fully warmed through to 165°F before serving.
How to Serve
This dish is easy to pair with a variety of low-carb or Whole30-friendly sides. Try it with:
- Veggie side dishes: I love serving this dish with spaghetti squash, roasted broccoli, or air fryer mushrooms.
- A side salad: Fresh greens and one of our favorite salad dressings, like this apple cider vinaigrette, are a perfect side.
- Rice: This dish is so good over a grain of your choice, like this Instant Pot Jasmine rice!
I’d love to hear about your experience making this recipe! Please leave a comment and rating below!
Pepperoni Pizza Chicken Skillet
Equipment
Ingredients
- 3-4 chicken breasts cooked
- 2 cups tomato sauce
- 4 ounces mozzarella cheese
- 2 ounces pepperoni sliced thin
- 8-10 fresh basil leaves
Instructions
- If using uncooked chicken, heat about a tablespoon of oil over medium heat in a large skillet. Add the chicken breasts and cook 6-7 minutes without moving them. Flip the chicken breasts and cook for another 6-7 minutes, until cooked through.
- Spread half of the sauce on the bottom of a large skillet. Arrange the cooked chicken breasts inside the skillet. Drizzle the rest of the sauce on top of the chicken.
- Slice the mozzarella cheese and lay it on top of the grilled chicken. Place your pepperoni and any other toppings you're using on top of the cheese.
- Cover the skillet and cook on medium-low for about 6-7 minutes or until the sauce is bubbling and the cheese is melty. Optionally, you can finish it under the broiler for about 2 minutes. Sprinkle with basil & serve.
