Pizza Chicken Bake

All the familiar flavors combine in this easy and delicious pizza chicken recipe to create a starch-free pizza-like experience.

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 30

Total Time 40

Servings servings

Calories 443kcal

Olive oil cooking spray
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts 8 ounces each
1 teaspoon Diamond Crystal kosher salt or ½ teaspoon of any other salt, including Morton kosher salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper
½ teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon dried oregano
½ cup pizza sauce no added sugar
1 cup mozzarella cheese shredded, part-skim; 4 ounces
1 ounce pepperoni 16 slices
¼ cup black olives sliced
¼ cup fresh basil chopped

Preheat the oven to 450°F. Spray a heat-resistant, rimmed baking dish with olive oil spray. I use a 10 X 7-inch ceramic baking dish similar to this one.
Olive oil cooking spray
Place the chicken breasts in the baking dish, flat side up. Lightly spray them with olive oil. Sprinkle them with kosher salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and oregano. Bake for 15 minutes.
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, 1 teaspoon Diamond Crystal kosher salt, ¼ teaspoon black pepper, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon dried oregano
Remove the baking dish from the oven. Flip the chicken breasts. At this point, you can lightly spray them with more oil and sprinkle with a bit more salt and pepper, but it’s optional. Top the chicken evenly with pizza sauce, shredded mozzarella, pepperoni, and olives.
½ cup pizza sauce, 1 cup mozzarella cheese, 1 ounce pepperoni, ¼ cup black olives
Return the baking dish to the oven. Bake until the chicken is cooked through (its internal temperature should reach 165ºF) and the cheese is melted, about 15 more minutes. Garnish with chopped basil and serve.
¼ cup fresh basil

Seasonings, especially salt, are guidelines. Adjust to taste.
When buying chicken breasts, try to pick ones that weigh no more than 8 ounces each. So, if you buy them in trays, pick the trays that weigh 1 pound rather than those that weigh 1.5 pounds. The latter ones are too big for this recipe.
The basil is important. It adds amazing flavor and greatly elevates this dish. I would go as far as saying that if you don't have fresh basil on hand, you shouldn't make this recipe.
You can keep the leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat them gently in the microwave at 50% power or enjoy them cold.