Chicken Pesto Pizza Recipe

Pizza dough: The base of your pizza, which can be store-bought or homemade.

Pesto sauce: A flavorful sauce made from basil, garlic, pine nuts, Parmesan cheese, and olive oil.

Shredded cooked chicken breast: Adds protein and a savory taste to the pizza.

Mozzarella cheese: A classic pizza cheese that melts beautifully and adds a creamy texture.

Parmesan cheese: Adds a sharp, nutty flavor to complement the mozzarella.

Cherry tomatoes: Provide a burst of sweetness and freshness.

Olive oil: Drizzled on top to enhance the flavors and help the toppings cook evenly.

When spreading the pesto sauce over the pizza dough, use the back of a spoon to ensure an even layer. This helps to avoid clumps and ensures that every bite is flavorful. Additionally, to prevent the cherry tomatoes from making the pizza too watery, consider lightly salting them and letting them sit for a few minutes before adding them to the pizza. This will draw out excess moisture.

• pizza dough - Substitute with cauliflower crust: A lower-carb and gluten-free alternative that still provides a crispy base for the pizza.

• pesto sauce - Substitute with alfredo sauce: Offers a creamy texture and rich flavor, though it will change the overall taste profile of the pizza.

• shredded cooked chicken breast - Substitute with shredded rotisserie chicken: Convenient and flavorful, it adds a similar texture and taste without the need for additional cooking.

• shredded mozzarella cheese - Substitute with shredded provolone cheese: Provides a similar melt and stretch with a slightly sharper flavor.

• grated parmesan cheese - Substitute with grated pecorino romano: Offers a similar salty and nutty flavor but with a bit more sharpness.

• halved cherry tomatoes - Substitute with sliced sun-dried tomatoes: Adds a concentrated tomato flavor and a chewy texture, which can enhance the overall taste.

• olive oil - Substitute with avocado oil: Has a similar healthy fat profile and a high smoke point, making it suitable for cooking and drizzling.

• Allow the pizza to cool completely before storing. This prevents condensation, which can make the crust soggy.
• For short-term storage, place leftover slices in an airtight container or wrap them tightly in aluminum foil. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
• To freeze, first, place the cooled pizza slices on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Freeze for about 1-2 hours, or until the slices are firm.
• Once frozen, transfer the slices to a freezer-safe bag or airtight container. Label with the date and store for up to 2 months.
• When ready to reheat, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Place the frozen pizza slices on a baking sheet and bake for 10-15 minutes, or until heated through and the cheese is bubbly.
• Alternatively, you can reheat in a microwave on high for 1-2 minutes, though this may result in a softer crust.
• For the best texture, consider reheating in a skillet over medium heat. Cover and cook for 5-7 minutes, or until the crust is crispy and the cheese is melted.

• Oven Method:

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Place the leftover chicken pesto pizza on a baking sheet.
  3. Cover the pizza loosely with aluminum foil to prevent the crust from over-browning.
  4. Bake for about 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
  5. Remove from the oven, let it cool for a minute, and enjoy your reheated slice.

• Skillet Method:

  1. Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat.
  2. Place the leftover pizza slice in the skillet.
  3. Cover the skillet with a lid to help the cheese melt evenly.
  4. Heat for about 5-7 minutes, checking occasionally to ensure the crust doesn't burn.
  5. Once the cheese is melted and the crust is crispy, remove from the skillet and serve.

• Microwave Method:

  1. Place a microwave-safe plate in the microwave with a cup of water next to the pizza slice. This helps keep the crust from getting too chewy.
  2. Microwave on high for about 1-2 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the pizza is heated through.
  3. Let it sit for a minute before eating to avoid burning your mouth.

• Toaster Oven Method:

  1. Preheat your toaster oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Place the pizza slice directly on the toaster oven rack or on a small baking sheet.
  3. Heat for about 5-10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the crust is crispy.
  4. Remove carefully and let it cool for a minute before enjoying.

• Air Fryer Method:

  1. Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Place the pizza slice in the air fryer basket.
  3. Heat for about 3-5 minutes, checking to ensure the cheese is melted and the crust is crispy.
  4. Remove from the air fryer and let it cool slightly before serving.

• Oven: Used to bake the pizza at a high temperature, ensuring the crust becomes golden and the cheese melts perfectly.

• Rolling pin: Essential for rolling out the pizza dough to your desired thickness on a floured surface.

• Floured surface: Provides a non-stick area to roll out the pizza dough, preventing it from sticking.

• Baking sheet or pizza stone: Used to place the rolled-out dough on for baking, ensuring even heat distribution.

• Parchment paper: Optional, but can be used on the baking sheet to prevent the pizza from sticking.

• Spatula: Handy for spreading the pesto sauce evenly over the dough.

• Measuring cups: Used to measure out the pesto sauce, shredded chicken, mozzarella cheese, and parmesan cheese accurately.

• Knife: Necessary for halving the cherry tomatoes.

• Cutting board: Provides a safe surface to halve the cherry tomatoes.

• Olive oil dispenser: Useful for drizzling olive oil evenly over the top of the pizza.

• Oven mitts: Essential for safely handling the hot baking sheet or pizza stone when removing the pizza from the oven.

• Pizza cutter: Ideal for slicing the pizza into serving pieces once it has cooled slightly.

• Cooling rack: Optional, but can be used to let the pizza cool for a few minutes after baking.

Use pre-cooked chicken: Save time by using shredded rotisserie chicken instead of cooking chicken breast from scratch.

Store-bought dough: Opt for store-bought pizza dough to cut down on prep time.

Pre-shredded cheese: Purchase pre-shredded mozzarella and parmesan cheese to avoid grating them yourself.

Ready-made pesto: Use store-bought pesto sauce to eliminate the need for making it at home.

Quick bake: Preheat the oven while preparing the pizza to ensure it’s ready to bake immediately.