Keto Pepperoni Pizza Chicken (Printable Version)

Juicy chicken layered with marinara, mozzarella, and pepperoni for a rich, low-carb dinner bake.

# What You'll Need:

→ Chicken

01 - 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.5 lbs)
02 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
03 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
04 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

→ Sauce & Cheese

05 - 3/4 cup sugar-free marinara sauce
06 - 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

→ Toppings

07 - 20 slices pepperoni
08 - 1/2 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
09 - 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
10 - 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese

→ Garnish

11 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil or parsley

# How to Make It:

01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
02 - Pat chicken breasts dry with paper towels. Season both sides evenly with salt and black pepper.
03 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear chicken breasts 2-3 minutes per side until lightly golden. Chicken does not need to be fully cooked at this stage.
04 - Transfer seared chicken breasts to the prepared baking dish, arranging in a single layer.
05 - Spoon marinara sauce evenly over each chicken breast.
06 - Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese uniformly over the sauce-covered chicken.
07 - Layer pepperoni slices over the melted cheese.
08 - Sprinkle Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, and Parmesan cheese over the assembled casserole.
09 - Bake uncovered for 20-25 minutes until chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F and cheese is bubbling with golden edges.
10 - Remove from oven and let rest 5 minutes. Garnish with fresh basil or parsley if desired. Serve immediately.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It tastes like comfort food but doesn't derail your goals.
  • Dinner goes from prep to table in 40 minutes flat, no sourdough starter required.
02 -
  • Don't skip the searing step—it's what gives the chicken flavor and keeps it from tasting like boiled chicken by the end.
  • If your marinara has sugar, it'll catch up with you; spend an extra minute reading the label because every gram matters on keto.
03 -
  • Use an instant-read thermometer to check doneness at 165°F—it takes the guesswork out and prevents overcooked chicken.
  • Let the casserole rest those 5 minutes before digging in; it holds together better and tastes hotter longer.
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