Low-carb chicken bake with marinara, mozzarella, and pepperoni for a satisfying, guilt-free meal.
# What You Need:
→ Chicken
01 - 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 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 (about 2 ounces)
08 - 1/2 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
09 - 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
10 - 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
→ Garnish
11 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil or parsley
# Steps:
01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish and set aside.
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. Do not cook through completely.
04 - Transfer seared chicken breasts to the prepared baking dish in a single layer.
05 - Spoon marinara sauce evenly over each chicken breast, covering them completely.
06 - Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese over the sauce-covered chicken.
07 - Layer pepperoni slices evenly over the mozzarella cheese.
08 - Sprinkle Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, and Parmesan cheese over the entire casserole.
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 and serve hot.
