# Components:
→ 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
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)
# Directions:
01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
02 - Pat chicken breasts dry and season both sides evenly with salt and 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; they do not need to be cooked through at this stage.
04 - Transfer seared chicken breasts to the prepared baking dish in a single layer.
05 - Spoon marinara sauce evenly over the chicken breasts.
06 - Sprinkle mozzarella cheese uniformly over the sauce-covered chicken.
07 - Distribute pepperoni slices over the melted cheese layer.
08 - Sprinkle Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes if using, and Parmesan cheese over the assembled dish.
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 - Allow dish to rest for 5 minutes. Garnish with fresh basil or parsley if desired and serve hot.
