Easy, cheesy, delicious: Pizza chicken with pepperoni, mozzarella and roasted tomatoes

Name: Easy, cheesy, delicious: Pizza chicken with pepperoni, mozzarella and roasted tomatoes
Cook time: 1 h
Yield: 4-6
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 tbsp olive oil; 1kg chicken thigh cutlets, skin on; 1 brown onion, finely diced; 4 garlic cloves, finely diced; 2 tbsp fresh oregano; 3-4 tbsp tomato paste; ½ cup vodka; ½ cup pouring cream; 1 cup cherry tomatoes; 200g mozzarella; 80g pepperoni (check gluten-free if required)

Katrina Meynink

December 7, 2023

Tip: Instead of a roasting tray (pictured), use an ovenproof frypan to turn this pizza-inspired chicken bake into a one-pan wonder.Katrina Meynink

easyTime:30 mins - 1 hourServes:4-6

This is easy, cheesy and delicious. Served with some crunchy bread and a bright salad, it’s equal parts comfort and freshness. If you can, use an ovenproof deep-sided frying pan to move this into the one-pot wonder territory, but make sure it’s a large pan so everything gets an even tan in the oven.

Ingredients

2 tbsp olive oil
1kg chicken thigh cutlets, skin on
1 brown onion, finely diced
4 garlic cloves, finely diced
2 tbsp fresh oregano
3-4 tbsp tomato paste
½ cup vodka
½ cup pouring cream
1 cup cherry tomatoes
200g mozzarella
80g pepperoni (check gluten-free if required)

Method

Step 1
Preheat oven to 180C fan-forced (200C conventional).
Step 2
Add the olive oil to an ovenproof frying pan and place over medium heat. Once shimmering, add the chicken, skin side down, and turn the heat to low. Cook for 10 minutes or until the skin has rendered and looks golden and crisp. Gently remove the chicken to a plate.
Step 3
Reduce the heat to low, add the onion to the pan and cook until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and oregano and cook until fragrant, before adding the tomato paste, and cook until the paste darkens a little. Stir in the vodka and cream. Add the cherry tomatoes, then nestle the chicken back in, skin side up. Scatter over the mozzarella and pepperoni.
Step 4
Pop in the oven for 30-40 minutes or until the cheese has melted and the pepperoni is crisp. Season generously with salt and pepper. Serve hot with bread for scooping the cheese and saucy goodness, and a salad for freshness.