# Components:
→ Chicken
01 - 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, approximately 1.5 lbs
02 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
03 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
04 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
→ Sauce & Cheese
05 - 3/4 cup sugar-free marinara sauce
06 - 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
→ Toppings
07 - 20 slices pepperoni
08 - 1/2 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
09 - 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, optional
10 - 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
→ Garnish
11 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil or parsley, optional
# Method:
01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish with cooking spray or oil.
02 - Pat chicken breasts dry with paper towels. Season both sides generously with salt and black pepper.
03 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear chicken breasts for 2 to 3 minutes per side until lightly golden. Remove from heat; chicken does not need to be fully cooked at this stage.
04 - Transfer seared chicken breasts to the prepared baking dish in a single layer.
05 - Distribute marinara sauce evenly over the chicken breasts, covering the surface thoroughly.
06 - Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese uniformly over the sauce-covered chicken.
07 - Arrange pepperoni slices over the mozzarella layer, distributing evenly across the surface.
08 - Sprinkle Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes if desired, and Parmesan cheese over the pepperoni layer.
09 - Bake uncovered for 20 to 25 minutes until chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F and cheese is bubbly with golden edges.
10 - Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes. Garnish with fresh basil or parsley if desired. Serve immediately while hot.
