Chicken meets pizza in this flavor-packed weeknight dinner! These Pepperoni Chicken Legs are baked to juicy perfection with a layer of marinara, crispy pepperoni, and gooey mozzarella cheese. It’s everything you love about pizza—on top of tender, seasoned chicken legs.
Ready in under an hour with only a few pantry staples, this dish is fun, satisfying, and totally crave-worthy. Whether you’re cooking for kids, game night, or just need something new, this recipe delivers major flavor with minimal effort!
🍗 Pepperoni Chicken Legs (Easy Pizza-Inspired Chicken Dinner!)
📋 Ingredients
- 4 chicken legs
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ cup pepperoni slices
- 1 cup marinara sauce
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
👩🍳 Instructions
Preheat Oven:
Set oven to 400°F (200°C).
Season the Chicken:
Rub chicken legs with olive oil, then sprinkle with garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
Add Marinara & Pepperoni:
Place chicken legs in a baking dish and pour marinara sauce over them.
Top with pepperoni slices.
Bake:
Bake uncovered for 35–40 minutes, or until the internal temp reaches 165°F (74°C).
Add Cheese & Finish Baking:
Sprinkle mozzarella cheese on top and return to the oven for 5 more minutes, or until cheese is melted and bubbly.
🍕 Notes & Tips
Swap it up: You can use boneless thighs or breasts instead of legs—just adjust cooking time as needed.
Add veggies: Toss in chopped onions, bell peppers, or mushrooms with the marinara for extra goodness.
Spice it up: Add a dash of red pepper flakes for a kick of heat.
⏱️ Quick Facts
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Servings: 4
