This chicken pesto pizza is a delightful fusion of classic Italian flavors and hearty, satisfying ingredients. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a casual get-together, this pizza combines the rich taste of pesto sauce with tender shredded chicken and gooey mozzarella cheese. It's a simple yet delicious way to elevate your pizza game.
If you're planning to make this recipe, you might need to pick up a few items that aren't always in your pantry. Pesto sauce is a key ingredient, and while you can make it at home, store-bought versions are convenient and tasty. Additionally, you will need shredded cooked chicken breast, which you can either cook yourself or buy pre-cooked. Make sure you have both mozzarella and parmesan cheese on hand for that perfect cheesy finish.
Ingredients for Chicken Pesto Pizza
Pizza dough: The base of your pizza, which can be store-bought or homemade.
Pesto sauce: A flavorful green sauce made from basil, garlic, pine nuts, Parmesan cheese, and olive oil.
Shredded cooked chicken breast: Adds protein and heartiness to the pizza.
Mozzarella cheese: A mild, stretchy cheese that melts beautifully on pizza.
Parmesan cheese: A hard, aged cheese that adds a salty, nutty flavor.
Olive oil: Used to drizzle on top for added richness and to help the crust crisp up.
Technique Tip for This Recipe
When spreading the pesto sauce on the pizza dough, use the back of a spoon to create an even layer, ensuring that you leave a small border around the edges for a perfect crust. This will help prevent the sauce from spilling over and burning during baking.
Suggested Side Dishes
Alternative Ingredients
pizza dough - Substitute with cauliflower crust: For a low-carb or gluten-free option, cauliflower crust provides a similar base with a different texture.
pesto sauce - Substitute with alfredo sauce: Alfredo sauce offers a creamy alternative with a different flavor profile, suitable for those who prefer a milder taste.
shredded cooked chicken breast - Substitute with shredded rotisserie chicken: Rotisserie chicken is convenient and adds a slightly different flavor due to its seasoning.
shredded mozzarella cheese - Substitute with shredded provolone cheese: Provolone cheese melts well and has a slightly sharper taste, adding a new dimension to the pizza.
grated parmesan cheese - Substitute with grated pecorino romano: Pecorino romano has a stronger, saltier flavor, which can enhance the overall taste of the pizza.
olive oil - Substitute with avocado oil: Avocado oil has a higher smoke point and a neutral flavor, making it a good alternative for drizzling over the pizza.
Other Alternative Recipes Similar to This Pizza
How To Store / Freeze Your Pizza
- Allow the chicken pesto pizza to cool completely before storing. This helps prevent condensation, which can make the crust soggy.
- For short-term storage, wrap individual slices in plastic wrap or aluminum foil. Place the wrapped slices in an airtight container or a resealable plastic bag. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
- For longer storage, consider freezing the pizza. First, flash-freeze the slices by placing them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Freeze for about 1-2 hours or until the slices are firm.
- Once the slices are firm, wrap each one tightly in plastic wrap, followed by a layer of aluminum foil. This double wrapping helps prevent freezer burn.
- Place the wrapped slices in a resealable freezer bag or an airtight container. Label with the date and store in the freezer for up to 2 months.
- To reheat refrigerated slices, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Place the slices on a baking sheet and bake for 10-15 minutes or until the cheese is melted and the crust is crispy.
- For frozen slices, preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Remove the plastic wrap and aluminum foil, and place the slices on a baking sheet. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until heated through and the cheese is bubbly.
- Alternatively, you can reheat slices in a skillet over medium heat. Cover the skillet with a lid to help melt the cheese and heat the pizza evenly. This method helps maintain a crispy crust.
- Avoid using a microwave to reheat the pizza, as it can make the crust chewy and the cheese rubbery.
How To Reheat Leftovers
Oven Method: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Place the leftover chicken pesto pizza on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Cover the pizza loosely with aluminum foil to prevent the cheese from over-browning. Bake for about 10-15 minutes, or until the crust is crispy and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Skillet Method: Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat. Place a slice of pizza in the skillet and cover with a lid. Cook for about 5-7 minutes, or until the crust is crispy and the cheese is melted. This method helps to keep the crust crispy while reheating the toppings evenly.
Microwave Method: Place a slice of pizza on a microwave-safe plate. To prevent the crust from becoming too chewy, place a microwave-safe cup of water next to the pizza in the microwave. Heat on high for about 1-2 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the pizza is heated through. Note that this method may not keep the crust as crispy as other methods.
Toaster Oven Method: Preheat your toaster oven to 375°F (190°C). Place the pizza slice directly on the rack or on a small baking sheet. Bake for about 5-10 minutes, or until the crust is crispy and the cheese is melted and bubbly. This method is quick and helps maintain the pizza's texture.
Air Fryer Method: Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C). Place the pizza slice in the air fryer basket, making sure it’s not overlapping. Cook for about 3-5 minutes, or until the crust is crispy and the cheese is melted. This method is great for achieving a crispy crust quickly.
Best Tools for This Recipe
Oven: Used to bake the pizza at the required temperature of 475°F (245°C).
Rolling pin: Helps to roll out the pizza dough to your desired thickness.
Floured surface: Provides a non-stick area to roll out the dough.
Baking sheet: Holds the pizza while it bakes in the oven.
Parchment paper: Prevents the pizza from sticking to the baking sheet.
Spatula: Assists in spreading the pesto sauce evenly over the dough.
Measuring cup: Ensures accurate measurement of the pesto sauce, shredded chicken, and cheeses.
Cheese grater: Used to grate the parmesan cheese.
Basting brush: Helps to drizzle the olive oil evenly over the pizza.
Pizza cutter: Used to slice the pizza once it’s baked.
Cooling rack: Allows the pizza to cool slightly before slicing and serving.
How to Save Time on Making This Pizza
Use pre-cooked chicken: Save time by using shredded cooked chicken breast from the store or leftovers.
Pre-made dough: Opt for store-bought pizza dough to skip the dough-making process.
Ready-made pesto: Use store-bought pesto sauce to cut down on preparation time.
Preheat the oven early: Start preheating your oven while you prepare the ingredients.
Assemble ingredients beforehand: Have all your ingredients ready and measured out before you start assembling the pizza.
Chicken Pesto Pizza
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 piece Pizza dough store-bought or homemade
- 1 cup Pesto sauce
- 1 cup Cooked chicken breast shredded
- 1 cup Mozzarella cheese shredded
- ¼ cup Parmesan cheese grated
- 1 tablespoon Olive oil
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 475°F (245°C).
- Roll out the pizza dough on a floured surface to your desired thickness.
- Spread the pesto sauce evenly over the dough.
- Top with shredded chicken, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheese.
- Drizzle with olive oil.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes or until the crust is golden and the cheese is bubbly.
- Remove from the oven, let cool slightly, slice, and serve.
Nutritional Value
Keywords
Suggested Appetizers and Desserts
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