Description

This Pepperoni Pizza Stuffed Chicken Bake combines juicy, seasoned chicken breasts stuffed with mozzarella cheese, pepperoni, and marinara sauce for a comforting and flavorful Italian-inspired meal. Topped with more marinara, shredded mozzarella, and Parmesan cheese, this bake delivers all the flavors of a classic pepperoni pizza in a healthy, protein-packed chicken dish perfect for dinner.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken and Seasoning

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
½ tablespoon olive oil
½ teaspoon kosher salt
½ teaspoon ground black pepper
2 teaspoons garlic powder
2 teaspoons Italian seasoning

Filling and Toppings

24 ounces marinara sauce (1 jar)
4 slices thick-cut mozzarella cheese
30 slices pepperoni
1 cup freshly shredded mozzarella cheese
⅛ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

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Instructions

Preheat and prepare baking dish: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and spray a large baking dish with nonstick spray to prevent sticking during cooking.
Season the chicken: In a bowl, whisk together olive oil, kosher salt, ground black pepper, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning. Butterfly each chicken breast by cutting horizontally about two-thirds of the way through. Rub this seasoning mixture evenly all over the chicken breasts, including inside the cut.
Spread marinara sauce: Pour and spread half of the marinara sauce evenly on the bottom of the prepared baking dish to create a flavorful base.
Stuff the chicken breasts: Open each butterflied chicken breast and place one slice of thick-cut mozzarella cheese inside. Top the cheese with 5 slices of pepperoni, a spoonful of marinara sauce, and a sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese. Close the chicken breast to encase the filling, securing with toothpicks if necessary, and place each in the baking dish. Repeat this process with all four chicken breasts.
Add remaining sauce and toppings: Pour the remaining marinara sauce over the stuffed chicken breasts. Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese over the top, add the remaining pepperoni slices, and finish with the remaining grated Parmesan. Optionally, sprinkle extra Italian seasoning for an enhanced herb flavor.
Bake the chicken: Bake the dish in the preheated oven for 25 minutes or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C), ensuring it is fully cooked and the cheese inside is melted and bubbly.

Notes

Butterflying the chicken breasts allows for even cooking and creates space for delicious stuffing.
Secure the stuffed chicken with toothpicks to prevent the filling from spilling out during baking.
Using freshly shredded and grated cheeses enhances the flavor and helps them melt better.
You can serve this dish with a side of pasta, salad, or garlic bread to complete the meal.
Let the chicken rest for a few minutes after baking before slicing to retain juiciness.