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Homemade Pepperoni Pizza Chicken Bake photo

Pepperoni Pizza Chicken Bake

A quick skillet-seared and baked chicken topped with reduced pizza sauce, mozzarella and pepperoni for an easy pizza-inspired meal.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings 4 servings

Equipment

  • Small saucepan
  • meat mallet or heavy pan
  • large nonstick frying pan
  • glass casserole dish
  • Cutting Board
  • Sharp Knife

Ingredients
  

  • 1 jar (14 oz) low-sugar pizza sauce reduced to 1 cup
  • 4 very large boneless skinless chicken breasts at least 8 oz each; each breast cut crosswise into two pieces and pounded thin
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tsp Greek oregano (or oregano)
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 6 oz mozzarella sliced about 1/4 inch thick; sliced further as needed to cover chicken
  • 2 oz sliced pepperoni regular or turkey pepperoni

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
  • Pour the pizza sauce into a small saucepan and simmer over low heat until reduced to 1 cup, about 20 minutes; stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
  • Trim any excess fat from the chicken breasts and cut each breast crosswise into two equal pieces.
  • Place one chicken piece at a time inside a heavy plastic bag and gently pound with a meat mallet or heavy pan until thin but not torn; repeat with all pieces.
  • Mix the oregano and garlic powder in a small bowl, then sprinkle the mixture evenly on both sides of each chicken piece.
  • Heat the olive oil in a large nonstick frying pan over medium-high heat. Add chicken pieces (work in batches if needed) and brown 1–2 minutes per side—just until lightly browned but not cooked through.
  • Choose a glass casserole dish that fits the chicken in a single layer and arrange the browned chicken pieces in the dish.
  • Spread the reduced pizza sauce evenly over each piece of chicken, using the entire cup of sauce.
  • Top each sauced chicken piece with slices of mozzarella to mostly cover the surface, then place pepperoni slices over the cheese.
  • Bake uncovered for 25–30 minutes, until the cheese is melted and beginning to brown and the pepperoni edges are slightly crisp.
  • Remove from oven and serve hot.

Notes

  • Reduce the sauce fully to avoid a watery casserole.
  • Pound the chicken thin for even cooking and quicker bake time.
  • Work in batches when browning if your pan is small.
  • Use a small casserole so pieces fit in a single layer.