Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?

Absolutely! Boneless skinless chicken thighs work great in this Slow Cooker Pizza Chicken Recipe for a juicier, more forgiving cook. Just adjust cooking times slightly because thighs may take a bit longer to become tender.

What’s the best way to avoid cheese leakage?

Don’t overstuff the cheese pockets, and make sure the pocket in the chicken is sliced cleanly but not too deep. Using the binding egg in the cheese mixture also helps keep everything in place. Following these tips helps keep the filling nice and cozy inside the chicken while cooking.

Can I prepare this recipe the night before?

Yes! You can prepare and stuff the chicken the night before, store it covered in the fridge, and then add it to the slow cooker with sauce and toppings the next day. It actually lets the flavors meld a bit longer, making it even tastier.

Slow Cooker Pizza Chicken – Easy & Irresistible Dinner

Description

This Slow Cooker Pizza Chicken recipe is a flavorful and easy way to enjoy the taste of pizza in a comforting chicken dish. Tender chicken breasts are stuffed with a cheesy Italian seasoned filling, then slow cooked in marinara sauce with melted mozzarella and pepperoni on top. Perfect served over pasta for a delicious family dinner.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken and Filling

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)
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 thoroughly until well blended and set aside.
Stuff chicken breasts: Slice a pocket into each chicken breast. Fill each pocket with about a quarter of the cheese mixture and top with sliced green bell peppers. Place the stuffed chicken breasts into the slow cooker in a single layer.
Add sauce and toppings: Pour marinara sauce evenly over the chicken breasts in the slow cooker. Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese over the top, then arrange pepperoni slices evenly on the cheese layer.
Cook chicken: Cover the slow cooker and cook on high for 3 hours or on low for 5 hours, until the chicken is cooked through and cheese is melted and bubbly.
Serve: Carefully remove the chicken from the slow cooker and serve over cooked pasta or your favorite side dish. Enjoy your delicious slow cooker pizza chicken meal!

Notes

Slice the chicken evenly for uniform cooking and tender results.
Do not overfill the cheese pockets to avoid leaking during cooking.
Arrange chicken in a single layer in the slow cooker and pour sauce evenly for consistent flavor.
Use shredded mozzarella cheese for smooth melting and perfect cheesy topping.
You can substitute pepperoni with sliced mushrooms or olives for a different variation.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 480 kcal
Sugar: 6 g
Sodium: 980 mg
Fat: 23 g
Saturated Fat: 10 g
Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
Trans Fat: 0.2 g
Carbohydrates: 9 g
Fiber: 2 g
Protein: 54 g
Cholesterol: 160 mg