Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?

Yes! Boneless, skinless chicken thighs will work wonderfully in this Slow Cooker Pizza Chicken Recipe. They tend to be juicier and even more forgiving if you overcook slightly. Just adjust the cooking time slightly if your thighs are particularly large.

What should I do if the cheese filling leaks out?

If you’re finding that the cheese filling is leaking during cooking, try not to overstuff the chicken pockets. Also, make sure to slice a proper pocket (not all the way through) and press the edges gently but firmly to seal. Using toothpicks can help hold it shut during cooking.

How do I know when the chicken is fully cooked?

The chicken is fully cooked when its internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). If you don’t have a thermometer, pierce the thickest part to check that the juices run clear and there’s no pink meat.

Slow Cooker Pizza Chicken Recipe for Easy, Cheesy Dinner

Description

Slow Cooker Pizza Chicken is a delicious and easy-to-make recipe featuring tender chicken breasts stuffed with a cheesy Italian seasoning mixture, topped with marinara sauce, mozzarella, and pepperoni. Cooked slowly to perfection, it's perfect served over pasta for a hearty main course.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken and Cheese Filling

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

Toppings and Sauce

1 cup mozzarella cheese shredded
1 medium green bell pepper sliced
24 ounces marinara sauce
6 ounces pepperoni slices

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Instructions

Prepare cheese mixture: In a bowl, combine 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese, parmesan cheese, egg, onion powder, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning. Mix thoroughly until well combined and set aside.
Stuff the chicken: Slice a pocket into each chicken breast carefully. Fill each pocket with about a quarter of the prepared cheese mixture and top inside the pocket with sliced green bell pepper. Place the stuffed chicken breasts into the slow cooker in a single layer.
Add sauce and toppings: Pour the marinara sauce evenly over the chicken breasts inside the slow cooker. Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of mozzarella cheese over the top and finally add the pepperoni slices over the cheese.
Cook the chicken: Cover the slow cooker and cook on high for 3 hours or on low for 5 hours, until the chicken is fully cooked, tender, and the cheese is melted.
Serve and enjoy: Serve the slow cooker pizza chicken hot over pasta or your preferred side dish and enjoy this cheesy, flavorful meal.

Notes

Slice the chicken breasts evenly to ensure uniform cooking and tender results.
Do not overfill the cheese pockets to avoid the filling leaking during cooking.
Arrange the chicken in a single layer in the slow cooker and distribute sauce evenly for consistent flavor.
Use shredded mozzarella cheese for smooth melting and a perfect cheesy topping.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 520 kcal
Sugar: 6 g
Sodium: 950 mg
Fat: 28 g
Saturated Fat: 13 g
Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 12 g
Fiber: 2 g
Protein: 48 g
Cholesterol: 175 mg