Print
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 large boneless skinless chicken breasts (8 oz each)
- 1 Tbsp olive oil (plus more as needed to sautee)
- 1/2 tsp dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp fine sea salt (plus more to taste)
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp freshly cracked black pepper (plus more to taste)
- 1/2 cup pizza sauce (or marinara sauce if you need a substitute)
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (low moisture, part skim)
- 1 Roma tomato (thinly cut into 8 slices)
- 8 slices pepperoni
- Fresh basil leaves (to garnish, optional)
Instructions
- Start by preheating the oven to 400°F. Lightly coat the bottom of a 9×13 casserole dish with olive oil.
- Cut each chicken breast in half lengthwise to create 2 cutlets. Place the cutlets between two sheets of plastic wrap and pound them to an even thickness of 1/4 inch using the flat side of a meat mallet. In a small bowl, mix all the seasonings and sprinkle them over both sides of the chicken cutlets.
- Heat a large heavy skillet over medium-high heat. Pour in 1 tablespoon of olive oil, and once it’s hot, add the chicken in a single layer. Sauté for about 2 minutes on each side until golden brown, then move the chicken to your prepared casserole dish. Don’t worry about cooking it completely at this stage. Repeat this process with the remaining chicken, adding more oil if necessary.
- Place the chicken cutlets in a single layer in the casserole dish. Spoon the pizza sauce over each cutlet, ensuring the tops are well coated. Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese on top, followed by the tomato slices and then the pepperoni.
- Bake uncovered in the preheated oven for 25 minutes, or until the cheese is golden brown in some areas and the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F when checked with an instant-read thermometer.
- Take the dish out of the oven. Before serving, add fresh, chopped basil leaves on top for added color and flavor.
Notes
TECHNIQUE TIP: Use a thicker pizza sauce to prevent toppings from sliding off the chicken during baking.
STORAGE: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
SUBSTITUTION: If pizza sauce is unavailable, use marinara sauce as a substitute.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 33 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baked
Nutrition
- Calories: 200 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 741 mg
- Fat: 11 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0.1 g
- Carbohydrates: 4 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 58 mg
