Slow Cooker Pizza Chicken

📃Shopping list

To make this amazing crock pot pizza chicken recipe you will need: 

• Boneless skinless chicken thighs or breasts
• Sauce
• Shredded cheese
• Oregano
• Garlic powder
• Pizza toppings - choose your favorites! (I use mushroom and pepperoni slices). 

🍕Instructions

This great recipe just involves a few simple steps:

Preparing your slow cooker

Prepare your slow cooker by coating it in a non-stick agent.  Any nonstick cooking spray or oil will work. Olive oil and avocado oil are my go-to coatings. 

 NOTE: some slow cooker inserts come with a nonstick surface.  Use of a non-stick agent is still suggested. However, oil is sometimes recommended rather than spray to protect the longevity of the non-stick surface.  Check your slow cooker's manual if you have any concerns. 

Alternatively, you can choose to use a slow cooker liner.  

🔪Assembly

One great thing about slow cooker chicken pizza is that you can fully customize it to satisfy your audience. If you have one pepperoni lover, one mushroom hater and one who insists on spinach and pepperoni, you can just divide your slow cooker into thirds and top accordingly.

• 🍕Spread a layer of pizza sauce on the bottom of your greased slow cooker.   
• 🍕Place chicken breasts and/or thighs into the crockpot on top of the sauce. 
• 🍕Sprinkle oregano and garlic powder over chicken
• 🍕Spread another thick layer of sauce on top of the chicken.
• 🍕Add a layer of shredded cheese overtop. 
• 🍕Top with your favorites like sliced pepperoni and sliced mushrooms*
• 🍕Cook for approximately 4 hours on low heat or 2-3 hours on high.  

🍽Serving suggestions

There are an endless number of ways to turn this slow cooker recipe into a full meal including:

• Pasta: Serve your pizza chicken on top of a bed of your favorite pasta. Penne pasta is a great option! 
• Garlic Bread: Crispy garlic bread is a perfect dipping companion for the flavorful sauce and cheesy chicken.
• Mashed Potatoes or mashed cauliflower: Both of these would make a perfect bed to serve your chicken on.  
• Side veggies: maple-vanilla carrots, whole cauliflower, and squash and zucchini parmesan are all a great way to round out this low carb dish.

🔁Substitutions*

1. Based on your preference, you can use just thighs or just breasts when making this recipe.  Keep in mind that breasts will always come out dryer than thighs. 
2. I prefer marinara sauce with this recipe in place of pizza sauce but either would be delicious! 
3. Italian seasoning can be used in place of oregano.
4. Use your favorite shredded cheese!  No need to limit it to just mozzarella!  Feel free to mix it up. cheddar cheese is one great option, but don't stop there.  And - add extra!!
5. Go to town on the toppings!  All of your favorite pizza toppings can be at home here.  Grilled pineapple, green pepper, ground Italian sausage, red onions, a drizzle of bbq sauce - whatever you love!  All will make this easy weeknight dinner a family favorite!

Storing

Store leftovers of your pizza chicken in an airtight container or bag.  It will last for 2-3 days in the refrigerator or 3-4 months in the freezer

Frozen leftovers should be thawed in the refrigerator prior to gently reheating.  Be careful not to overheat the chicken in the microwave, as it can become dry and tough.

😉Pizza Chicken Hints and Hacks

• Slow cooker liners are an optional, but helpful hack whenever using a slow cooker. They allow you to cook with little to no cleanup. I like to buy mine in bulk for a cheaper per-piece price.
• I suggest using a meat thermometer to confirm when the chicken is finished cooking. Chicken that is overcooked will be dry and rubbery. According to the FDA, chicken is safe to eat when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
• I refer to pizza sauce often in this recipe. However, I am a fan of using whatever kind of sauce you like best. I usually use my homemade marinara sauce.
• Be sure to turn your slow cooker on and make sure it is plugged in! There is nothing worse than coming home to a cold slow cooker.