Baked Pizza Chicken

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  Italian seasoning(15g)
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  1/8 tsp garlic powder ($0.02)
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  1/8 tsp salt ($0.01)
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  Olive oil(30g)

  Regular (not extra-virgin) olive oil for high-heat cooking. EVOO for dressings.

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  Chicken Breast, Boneless Skinless(302g)

  Boneless skinless. Buy in bulk and freeze — Costco rotisserie packs work too.

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  Pizza Sauce, Canned(60g)
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  Cheese, Mozzarella, Fresh(113g)

  Part-skim mozzarella. Pre-shredded bags are convenient for meal prep.

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  Turkey pepperoni(32g)

Instructions

1. 1Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels. Place each breast between plastic wrap and pound with a mallet to an even 3/4-inch thickness. Cut each breast in half lengthwise to create 8 pieces total.
2. 2Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat for 1 minute until shimmering. Season the chicken pieces with Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper on both sides. Working in batches to avoid crowding, cook the chicken 6–8 minutes per side over medium-high heat until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F. Transfer cooked pieces to a clean plate.
3. 3Return all chicken pieces to the skillet in a single layer over medium heat. Spread 1 tablespoon of pizza sauce evenly over each piece.
4. 4Layer approximately 1 ounce of fresh mozzarella on top of each sauce-covered piece, then top each with 2 slices of turkey pepperoni.
5. 5Cover the skillet with a lid and cook over medium-low heat for 3–4 minutes until the cheese melts and begins to bubble slightly.
6. 6Divide the finished chicken evenly into 4 airtight containers while still warm. Allow to cool to room temperature, then seal and refrigerate until ready to serve.