This Slow Cooker Pizza Chicken packs all the cheesy, saucy flavor of your favorite pizza into an easy weeknight meal. Tender chicken, melty mozzarella, and pepperoni come together for a dish that's hearty, fun, and sure to be a family favorite.
Add a fun twist to pizza night with this pizza chicken recipe, an easy crockpot meal that does all the work for you. After making it once, it quickly earned a spot in our regular dinner rotation. Juicy chicken stuffed with herbed cheese, topped with marinara, mozzarella, and pepperoni, brings all the flavors of pizza to a cozy, slow-cooked dish. Serve it over pasta, rice, or with garlic bread for a weeknight win.
Craving more pizza flavor? Don't miss my Crock Pot pizza and Crock Pot pizza casserole for more slow-cooked comfort.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Effortless Prep: This simple pizza chicken recipe comes together with just a few minutes of mixing and layering before your slow cooker does the rest.
- Full of Flavor: Juicy chicken, mozzarella, and pepperoni give every bite that classic pizza taste.
- Versatile Serving: Delicious over pasta, our slow cooker rice, or with garlic bread.
- Family Friendly: The cheesy, saucy flavors of chicken with pizza sauce make this a dinner everyone will love.
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Ingredients
- Chicken Breasts: Use boneless, skinless chicken breasts for easy prep and tender results. If you love easy chicken dinners, you'll also enjoy my Crock Pot smothered chicken.
- Mozzarella Cheese: Shredded mozzarella melts well and gives that classic pizza pull. You can use part-skim for a lighter version or whole milk for extra creaminess.
- Parmesan Cheese: Adds a salty, nutty flavor that deepens the overall richness of the dish.
- Seasonings: A combination of onion powder, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning adds savory, herby flavor that mimics traditional pizza seasonings.
- Green Bell Pepper: Adds color and a fresh, slightly sweet bite. Slice thinly so it softens perfectly in the slow cooker.
- Marinara Sauce: Use your favorite jarred brand or homemade sauce. A thicker marinara works best, so the dish doesn't become watery while cooking.
- Pepperoni: Brings that signature pizza flavor and a little spice.
See the recipe card below for exact ingredient amounts, nutritional information, and detailed instructions.
Variations
- Spicy Pizza Chicken: Add red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce to the cheese mixture or marinara for a little heat that kicks up the flavor.
- Different Protein: Try using boneless, skinless turkey breasts instead of chicken for a leaner twist while keeping all the cheesy, saucy goodness.
- Cheesy Ranch Pizza Chicken: Add a tablespoon of ranch seasoning to the cheese mixture for a creamy, flavorful twist, or give my Crock Pot ranch chicken a try for another easy, tasty dinner.
- Extra Veggies: Mix in sliced zucchini, mushrooms, or spinach along with the bell peppers for a veggie-packed version that adds color, texture, and flavor.
How to Make Pizza Chicken in the Slow Cooker
Making this Crockpot pizza chicken is simple and almost hands-off. A little prep is all you need before letting the slow cooker do the work.
Step 1: Prepare the Cheese Filling. Mix a cup of mozzarella, Parmesan, egg, and seasonings until well combined. This will be stuffed inside the chicken for a creamy, flavorful center.
Step 2: Stuff the Chicken. Slice a pocket into each chicken breast and fill with a portion of the cheese mixture. Add sliced green peppers on top before placing the chicken in the slow cooker.
Step 3: Add Sauce and Toppings. Pour marinara sauce over the chicken, then sprinkle with the remaining mozzarella and arrange pepperoni slices on top.
Step 4: Cook and Serve. Cover and cook on high for 2 ½ to 3 hours or low for 4 to 5 hours. Serve over pasta, rice, or with garlic bread for a complete meal.
Expert Tips
- Prep the Chicken Evenly: Slice each chicken breast to a similar size so they cook evenly and stay tender.
- Don't Overfill the Chicken: Use just enough cheese mixture to stuff the pockets as overfilling can cause it to leak during cooking.
- Layer Carefully: Place the chicken in a single layer in the slow cooker and pour sauce evenly over the top to prevent soggy spots.
- Cheese Tips: Use shredded mozzarella instead of slices for even melting, and add half on top and half inside for the perfect cheesy pull.
- Storage and Freezing: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days, or freeze portions in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months.
Serving Suggestions
- Enjoy this slow cooker pizza chicken for an easy weeknight dinner the whole family will love! Serve it with my pink sauce pasta and some garlic bread or slow cooker focaccia to soak up all the cheesy, saucy goodness.
- It's perfect for casual gatherings, potlucks, or a game day meal when you want something hearty and crowd-pleasing. Add some simple sides like Crock Pot mac and cheese or cheesy bacon ranch potatoes for a complete meal.
Recipe FAQs
Use a thicker marinara sauce and avoid overfilling the chicken pockets. Also, layer the chicken in a single layer in the slow cooker rather than stacking it.
Don't overstuff the pockets and press the edges gently to seal. A little cheese leaking is fine, but overfilling can cause too much to spill out.
Place it in a baking dish, cover with foil, and reheat in the oven at 350°F for 10-15 minutes to preserve the chicken's texture and the sauce's consistency. You can also microwave individual portions, but avoid overcooking.
More Delicious Crock Pot Chicken Recipes
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Slow Cooker Pizza Chicken
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese shredded and divided
- ½ cup parmesan cheese
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 medium green bell pepper sliced
- 24 ounces marinara sauce
- 6 ounces pepperoni slices
Instructions
- In a bowl, add 1 cup of mozzarella cheese, parmesan cheese, egg, onion powder, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning. Mix until well combined and set aside.
- Slice a pocket in the chicken and add a ¼ of the cheese mixture inside. Then, top with green peppers and add to the slow cooker.
- Pour marinara sauce over the chicken. Then, top with the remaining mozzarella cheese and add pepperoni slices.
- Cover and cook on high for 2½ to 3 hours or on low for 4 to 5 hours.
- Serve over pasta and enjoy!
Notes
- Slice the chicken evenly so it cooks uniformly and stays tender throughout.
- Don't overfill the cheese pockets to prevent the filling from leaking during cooking.
- Layer the chicken in a single layer in the slow cooker and pour the sauce evenly over the top for consistent flavor.
- Use shredded mozzarella for smooth melting and a perfect cheesy topping.
Nutrition
*Nutrition information is an estimate. It may vary based on ingredients, brands, and changes in cooking methods listed in the recipe. If you need exact ingredient numbers, I recommend calculating them with your preferred nutrition calculator.
Ryan Allen says
It has so much flavor and is so easy to make.