Keto Pizza Chicken
Published September 7, 2019 • Updated February 2, 2026
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This is a one pot delicious keto dinner where you roast all your favorite pizza toppings on pan fried chicken thighs. Even better, the whole dish comes together in less than an hour!
Ingredients
5 slices thick cut bacon -
2 pounds chicken thighs, bone-in & skin on
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4 cloves garlic, sliced
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2 anchovy fillets, minced (optional)
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1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
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1/2 teaspoon italian seasoning
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1/2 (28 oz) can of whole tomatoes
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1/2 cup chicken broth
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4-6 basil leaves, sliced
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1 cup mozzarella cheese
Step by Step Instructions
Step by Step Instructions
Cook bacon
Heat a large oven-proof skillet to medium high heat. Add bacon and cook until desired level of crispiness. Transfer bacon to a paper towel and set aside.
Pan fry chicken
Keeping bacon grease in the skillet, add chicken thighs to the skillet and cook at medium-high heat on both sides until browned (about 7 minutes the first side and 3 minutes the second). Transfer chicken to a plate and set aside.
Sauté garlic and seasonings
Add garlic, anchovy, red pepper flakes and Italian seasoning to the skillet. Sauté for about 1 minute.
Make sauce
Add canned tomatoes, chicken broth, and basil. Break up whole tomatoes with a spatula. Cook over medium heat for 10 minutes or until sauce has thickened.
Baste chicken
Transfer chicken back into the skillet and bake at 400°F uncovered until chicken is no longer pink inside, about 30 minutes.
Nutrition disclaimer
The nutrition information provided is an estimate and is for informational purposes only. I am a Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.); however, this content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your physician or other qualified health provider before making any lifestyle changes or beginning a new nutrition program.
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Get My Macros (Free) →Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs for this recipe?
Yes, you can use chicken breasts instead of thighs, but they will dry out more quickly. Adjust the cooking time accordingly.
What can I substitute for the anchovy fillets?
If you're not a fan of anchovies or want to skip them, you can substitute with a teaspoon of Worcestershire sauce for a similar umami flavor.
How should I store leftovers of the Keto Pizza Chicken?
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven or microwave.
Is this recipe suitable for meal prep?
Yes! This pizza chicken is great for meal prep. Just make a batch, portion it out, and store in the fridge for easy lunches or dinners throughout the week.
Can I add more vegetables to this dish?
Definitely! Feel free to add your favorite vegetables like bell peppers, mushrooms, or zucchini to the mix for extra flavor and nutrition.
All of your favorite pizza toppings can go on pan seared chicken thighs to make an easy one pot low-carb dinner the whole family will love. This pizza chicken is a delicious dinner you can make on busy weeknights since it comes together in under an hour. Plus, you don’t have to dirty tons of dishes since everything is made in one skillet.
This pizza chicken is topped with tomato, bacon, and mozzarella cheese. The sauce is tomato based and uses canned tomatoes for ease of preparation. To help form a tasty and complex pizza sauce, I use garlic, anchovy, Italian seasonings and red pepper flakes. Don’t be afraid to use anchovy. Anchovy is used in many Italian recipes because it provides a umami flavor. Umami is a taste that enhances the flavor of your dish. It won’t taste fishy at all and will only make your pizza chicken taste better.
The best cuts of chicken for this recipe are chicken thighs and drumsticks. These are considered dark meats and have a higher fat content compared to white cuts of chicken meat, like the breast. You can substitute the chicken thighs for any cut of chicken – drumsticks, wings, breast.
In this recipe, I use bone-in and skin-on chicken thighs. If you prefer to use skinless, boneless thighs or breast, you can. Just know that the bones and skin provide loads of flavor, fat and nutrition, specifically in the form of collagen. Plus bone-in thighs are less expensive than the skinless, boneless variety.
Since this dinner is finished in the oven, you’ll need an oven-safe skillet to make this recipe. I find a cast iron skillet works the best but most stainless steel skillets are oven proof as well. My favorite 
OMG it was delicious