Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?

Absolutely! Boneless skinless chicken thighs work well and tend to stay even juicier. Just adjust cooking time slightly if needed—thighs may be done a bit sooner.

How do I prevent the cheese from leaking out?

The key is to not overstuff the chicken pockets. Enough filling to taste but not so much that it spills open while cooking. Securely tuck the filling inside, and you can even use toothpicks to keep the pocket closed if needed.

Can I make this recipe vegetarian?

To make it vegetarian, omit the chicken and pepperoni. You could stuff bell peppers or large portobello mushrooms with the cheese mixture, then slow cook with marinara sauce. It won’t have the exact same texture but still delivers on pizza flavor!

Pizza Chicken: Easy Slow Cooker Dinner Your Family Will Love

Description

This Slow Cooker Pizza Chicken recipe combines tender chicken breasts stuffed with a flavorful cheese mixture, topped with marinara sauce, mozzarella cheese, and pepperoni slices. Cooked slowly to perfection, it offers an easy and delicious meal reminiscent of your favorite pizza flavors served over pasta.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken and Cheese Mixture

2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
½ cup parmesan cheese
1 large egg
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

Toppings and Sauce

1 medium green bell pepper, sliced
24 ounces marinara sauce
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (remaining 1 cup from the 2 cups total)
6 ounces pepperoni slices

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Instructions

Prepare Cheese Mixture: In a bowl, combine 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese, parmesan cheese, egg, onion powder, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning. Mix well until all ingredients are fully incorporated and set aside.
Stuff Chicken Breasts: Slice a pocket into each chicken breast carefully. Stuff each pocket with approximately a quarter of the prepared cheese mixture, ensuring not to overfill to prevent leakage.
Add Vegetables: Place a layer of sliced green bell peppers inside or on top of the stuffed chicken breasts before arranging them into the slow cooker.
Arrange in Slow Cooker: Place the stuffed chicken breasts in a single layer inside the slow cooker for even cooking and topped with green peppers.
Add Sauce and Toppings: Pour marinara sauce evenly over the chicken breasts. Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese over the sauce, then top with pepperoni slices.
Cook: Cover the slow cooker and cook on high for 3 hours or on low for 5 hours until the chicken is fully cooked and the cheese is melted.
Serve: Remove from slow cooker and serve hot over pasta or your favorite side. Enjoy the flavors of a delicious pizza in a comforting chicken dish.

Notes

Slice the chicken evenly to ensure uniform cooking and tenderness.
Do not overfill the cheese pockets to avoid filling leaking during cooking.
Arrange chicken in a single layer in the slow cooker and pour sauce evenly for consistent flavor all over.
Use shredded mozzarella cheese for smooth melting and the perfect cheesy topping.
Serving over pasta complements the rich flavors and creates a complete meal.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 480 kcal
Sugar: 6 g
Sodium: 920 mg
Fat: 25 g
Saturated Fat: 12 g
Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 10 g
Fiber: 2 g
Protein: 50 g
Cholesterol: 145 mg