Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts in this Slow Cooker Pizza Chicken Recipe?

Absolutely! Boneless, skinless chicken thighs are a great option—they stay juicy and tender in the slow cooker. Just make sure they are roughly the same size to cook evenly.

How do I prevent the cheese filling from leaking out during cooking?

To keep the filling inside, don’t overstuff the chicken pockets and seal them gently but firmly. Also, using the egg in the cheese mixture acts as a binder, which helps keep everything together while cooking.

Can I prepare this recipe ahead and cook it later?

Yes! You can stuff the chicken and assemble everything in the slow cooker insert, cover, and refrigerate it for a few hours or overnight before cooking. Just add additional cooking time if starting from cold.

Slow Cooker Pizza Chicken: Easy, Cheesy Dinner Delight

Description

This Slow Cooker Pizza Chicken recipe combines tender, juicy chicken breasts stuffed with a flavorful cheese mixture, topped with marinara sauce, mozzarella, and pepperoni for a delicious, easy-to-make meal perfect for busy days.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken and Cheese Mixture

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

Other Toppings and Sauce

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

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Instructions

Prepare Cheese Mixture: In a bowl, combine 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese, parmesan cheese, egg, onion powder, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning. Mix thoroughly until well combined and set aside.
Stuff Chicken: Slice a pocket into each chicken breast without cutting all the way through. Stuff each pocket with a quarter of the cheese mixture, then add sliced green bell peppers on top inside the pocket.
Arrange Chicken in Slow Cooker: Place the stuffed chicken breasts in a single layer inside the slow cooker to ensure even cooking.
Add Sauce and Toppings: Pour the marinara sauce evenly over the chicken breasts. Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese on top, then arrange the pepperoni slices over the cheese.
Cook: Cover the slow cooker and cook on high for 3 hours or on low for 5 hours until the chicken is fully cooked and tender.
Serve: Serve the pizza chicken over your choice of pasta or vegetables for a complete meal. Enjoy!

Notes

Slice the chicken evenly to ensure uniform cooking and tender results.
Do not overfill the cheese pockets to prevent leakage during cooking.
Arrange chicken in a single layer in the slow cooker for even heat distribution.
Use shredded mozzarella for smooth melting and perfect cheesy topping.
You can substitute pepperoni with turkey pepperoni or omit for a vegetarian version by removing meat and adding extra veggies.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 450 kcal
Sugar: 6 g
Sodium: 900 mg
Fat: 22 g
Saturated Fat: 11 g
Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 10 g
Fiber: 2 g
Protein: 50 g
Cholesterol: 160 mg