Pizza Chicken Is Our New Favorite One-Pan Weeknight Dinner Casserole

Name: Pizza Chicken Is Our New Favorite One-Pan Weeknight Dinner Casserole
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 4
Ingredients: 1 (15-ounce) can crushed tomatoes; 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, divided; 1 teaspoon garlic powder, divided; 1 teaspoon onion powder, divided; 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, divided; 1 1/2 pounds chicken breast, pounded to 1/4-inch thickness; 1/8 teaspoon black pepper; 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar; 3/4 cup shredded Italian blend cheese; 1/4 cup sliced pepperoni; 1 (2.25 ounce) can sliced black olives; 1/4 cup diced green bell pepper

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Weeknights are not the time for trying new recipes that require labor-intensive cooking. Save those dishes for the weekends. When time is tight and everyone is hungry, you need a one-pan dish that tastes good and satisfies. Its even better when that dish makes everyone happy. Impossible? Not when its One-Pan Pizza Chicken!

What Is One-Pan Pizza Chicken?

If you like pizza, then youll love One-Pan Pizza Chicken. Its as simple as building a pizza (just the toppings) on top of chicken. First, chicken breasts are pounded to 1/4-inch thickness to help them cook quickly and evenly. Next, the chicken is topped with tomatoes, balsamic vinegar, seasonings, and cheese. Then, its all about the toppings, which include (but definitely arent limited to) pepperoni, black olives, and green bell pepper. You build it all in the pan youre baking it in which makes cooking and cleaning simple. Bake at 425 for about 20 minutes and youre ready to eat!

Chef's Tips

Consider the type of chicken: We call for boneless skinless chicken breast here, but feel free to substitute with boneless skinless chicken thighs. You could even use chicken tenders!
Pound it out: The easiest way to pound chicken is to place it in a resealable plastic bag, remove any air, seal the bag, and use the flat side of a meat mallet or a rolling pin to pound. If youre not up for that task, consider buying cutlets instead to save time.
Choosing sauce: If you have a pizza sauce you love, feel free to swap it in for the crushed tomatoes and seasonings used here. And use as much or as little as you like.
Customize seasonings: Speaking of the seasonings, add or subtract what you like from the recipe. For example, substitute freshly minced garlic for the garlic powder or fresh oregano for the Italian seasoning.
Use your favorite cheese: We tried mozzarella but found that we wanted more flavor. Swapping it with Italian blend style shredded cheese added just the right touch. If you cant find an Italian blend, mix some Parmesan or Fontina cheese with shredded mozzarella.

What To Serve With One-Pan Pizza Chicken

Looking for ways to round out the meal? We recommend serving it with a simple salad (use a bagged variety to keep things simple) with vinaigrette dressing and cooked pasta. If pasta doesnt sound good, then go with rolls or a baguette.

Ingredients

1 (15-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, divided
1 teaspoon garlic powder, divided
1 teaspoon onion powder, divided
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, divided
1 1/2 pounds chicken breast, pounded to 1/4-inch thickness
1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
3/4 cup shredded Italian blend cheese
1/4 cup sliced pepperoni
1 (2.25 ounce) can sliced black olives
1/4 cup diced green bell pepper

Directions

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C).
Spread 1/2 of the crushed tomatoes over the bottom of a 9x13-inch baking dish. Add 1/4 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon onion powder, and 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning, and stir to combine.
Lay chicken on top of tomatoes and season with the remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt and pepper.
Cover chicken with remaining crushed tomatoes, then drizzle with balsamic vinegar.
Sprinkle remaining 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon onion powder, and 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning over everything, then cover with cheese.
Top with pepperoni, black olives, and green bell peppers.
Bake until cheese is bubbling and melted and chicken has reached an internal temperature of at least 165 degrees F (74 degrees C), about 20 minutes.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

Calories: 480
Total Fat: 20g (25% DV)
Saturated Fat: 8g (39% DV)
Cholesterol: 176mg (59% DV)
Sodium: 887mg (39% DV)
Total Carbohydrates: 12g (4% DV)
Dietary Fiber: 3g (10% DV)
Total Sugars: 6g
Protein: 62g (124% DV)
Vitamin C: 16mg (18% DV)
Calcium: 249mg (19% DV)
Iron: 4mg (23% DV)
Potassium: 827mg (18% DV)

The Story Behind Pizza Chicken

Pizza Chicken is a modern twist on two beloved comfort foods: pizza and chicken casserole. The dish likely emerged in the United States during the early 21st century, as home cooks sought quick weeknight dinners that combined familiar flavors with minimal preparation. By layering classic pizza ingredients over tender chicken, this recipe offers all the satisfaction of a pizza without the time-consuming dough preparation. Its popularity grew through food blogs and recipe sites, quickly becoming a go-to for busy families seeking convenience without sacrificing taste.

Regional Variations

While Pizza Chicken is primarily an American creation, regional adaptations exist. In the Midwest, recipes often favor more cheese and hearty vegetables like bell peppers and onions. In the South, smoked or spicy sausages might replace traditional pepperoni, adding a local flair. Some coastal regions incorporate fresh herbs such as basil or oregano, reflecting a more Mediterranean influence. Despite these variations, the central concept of layering pizza toppings over chicken remains consistent nationwide.

How It Differs from Similar Dishes

Unlike traditional chicken parmesan or baked chicken casseroles, Pizza Chicken uniquely combines pizza toppings directly on the protein rather than on pasta or bread. This distinction allows it to cook faster while keeping flavors concentrated on the chicken itself. Unlike flatbread or pizza-inspired dishes, it doesnt use dough as a base, making it lower in carbohydrates and easier to prepare. Essentially, it bridges the gap between pizza and casserole, offering the best of both worlds in a single pan.

Typical Serving Context

Pizza Chicken is most commonly served as a weeknight dinner, often accompanied by simple sides such as a green salad, roasted vegetables, or garlic bread. Its particularly popular in households seeking a quick, satisfying meal that doesnt require extensive preparation or cleanup. Occasionally, it may appear at casual family gatherings or potlucks, where it stands out for its familiar yet inventive flavor combination.

Interesting Facts

Pizza Chicken is part of a broader trend in American cooking where classic dishes are hybridized to simplify weeknight meals.
The recipe is highly versatilevegetables, cheeses, and meats can be swapped depending on dietary preferences, making it suitable for keto, low-carb, or high-protein diets.
Despite its modern origins, the dish echoes the Italian-American tradition of layering flavors and textures, similar to lasagna or layered casseroles.
Food bloggers have popularized one-pan versions like this because they reduce cleanup while maximizing flavor, appealing to busy parents and young professionals alike.
The dish demonstrates a trend toward pizza-inspired meals that dont rely on dough, paving the way for other innovations like pizza zucchini boats and pizza-stuffed peppers.

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FAQ about Pizza Chicken Is Our New Favorite One-Pan Weeknight Dinner Casserole

Store any leftovers of the One-Pan Pizza Chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10-15 minutes or until warmed through.

Yes, you can freeze One-Pan Pizza Chicken! After baking, let it cool completely, then transfer it to a freezer-safe container or wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil. It will last in the freezer for up to 3 months. To reheat, thaw overnight in the fridge and bake in the oven at 350°F (175°C) until warmed through.

Yes, boneless skinless chicken thighs can be substituted for the chicken breasts. Chicken thighs will provide a slightly richer flavor and remain juicy when baked.

Absolutely! If you prefer, you can use pizza sauce instead of the crushed tomatoes and seasonings in the recipe. Adjust the quantity to suit your taste.

The recipe calls for shredded Italian blend cheese, but you can use mozzarella, Parmesan, or a combination of both if you prefer. A blend of cheeses will give a richer flavor.

Yes, you can prepare the dish up to the point of baking. Cover the assembled dish tightly and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking. When ready to cook, just pop it in the oven and bake as directed.

One-Pan Pizza Chicken pairs well with a simple salad, cooked pasta, or a crusty bread like baguette or rolls. A side of roasted vegetables or steamed greens would also complement the dish nicely.

Feel free to customize the toppings based on your preferences! You can add mushrooms, bell peppers, onions, or any other pizza toppings you enjoy. Just be sure to adjust the cooking time if using larger or denser toppings.

Yes! One-Pan Pizza Chicken is naturally low in carbs and suitable for a keto diet. You can further customize it by skipping high-carb toppings like peppers or using a sugar-free tomato sauce.

The chicken should reach an internal temperature of at least 165°F (74°C) to ensure it is fully cooked and safe to eat.

Comments

Mark

10/06/2025 01:52:54 PM

Fast, easy, delicious. I smeared two tablespoons of basil pesto on the mix before adding the cheese. Instead of pepperoni and olives, I used sliced mushrooms and red bell pepper. The kitchen aroma was exactly like a pizza parlor. If you like pizza, try this recipe.