Description
Skillet cheesy pepperoni pizza chicken brings Italian-American comfort to your dinner table, blending classic pizza flavors with tender chicken. Melted cheese, crispy pepperoni, and zesty marinara sauce create a mouthwatering one-pan meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts
Cheese:
- 2/3 cup shredded parmesan cheese
- 8 ounces dry mozzarella cheese (torn)
Breading and Herbs:
- 1 1/3 cups panko breadcrumbs
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano
- 1/2 cup fresh basil (plus more for serving)
Tomato and Sauce Components:
- 2 1/2 cups fresh cherry tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1/2 cup vodka (or wine, or water)
Seasoning and Spices:
- 2 cloves garlic (minced or grated)
- 1 pinch crushed red pepper flakes
- kosher salt
- black pepper
Liquid and Fat:
- 1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt or buttermilk
- 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
Protein Topping:
- 3 ounces pepperoni sliced
Instructions
- Prepare the breading station by mixing Panko and parmesan in one shallow bowl, seasoning with salt and pepper. Place yogurt in another shallow bowl.
- Butterfly the chicken by slicing horizontally, leaving a half-inch intact edge. Open the chicken like a book, layer mozzarella and a basil leaf on one side.
- Close the chicken, sealing the cheese and basil inside. Dredge each side thoroughly in yogurt, then coat completely with seasoned Panko mixture, pressing crumbs gently to adhere.
- Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear chicken until golden brown, approximately 3-4 minutes per side. Remove and season lightly with salt.
- In the same skillet, add remaining oil, garlic, oregano, and red pepper flakes. Sauté until aromatic, about 2 minutes. Stir in tomato paste, then deglaze with vodka and water.
- Add cherry tomatoes and simmer for 5-8 minutes over low heat. Nestle chicken into the tomato sauce.
- Distribute remaining mozzarella around the chicken and top with pepperoni slices. Transfer skillet to a 425°F oven.
- Bake for 10 minutes until chicken is fully cooked and cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Garnish with fresh basil and remaining cherry tomatoes before serving.
Notes
- Customize the yogurt coating by using Greek yogurt for extra tanginess and protein boost.
- Try different cheese combinations like provolone or fontina for unique flavor profiles.
- Pat chicken dry before coating to ensure crispy, golden breading that sticks perfectly.
- Swap pepperoni with prosciutto or vegetarian salami for alternative dietary preferences.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2
- Calories: 810 kcal
- Sugar: 7 g
- Sodium: 1100 mg
- Fat: 54 g
- Saturated Fat: 20 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 32 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 24 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 63 g
- Cholesterol: 180 mg