There’s something special about making pizza from scratch – from the kneading of the dough to the aroma filling your kitchen as it bakes. This homemade chicken pizza is a delicious blend of tender chicken, melty cheese, and a sauce with just the right amount of kick.
Ingredients
For the Dough:
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 packet (2 ¼ tsp) active dry yeast
- 1 tsp sugar
- ¾ cup warm water (about 110°F)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp salt
For the Toppings:
- 1 cup pizza sauce (store-bought or homemade)
- 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup cooked chicken breast, diced or shredded
- ½ cup sliced bell peppers (any color)
- ½ cup red onions, thinly sliced
- ½ tsp dried oregano
- ½ tsp dried basil
- Optional: black olives, mushrooms, or fresh basil for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare the Dough:
- In a small bowl, dissolve the yeast and sugar in warm water. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes until it becomes foamy.
- In a large bowl, combine the flour and salt. Add in the yeast mixture and olive oil.
- Knead the dough for about 8-10 minutes until it’s smooth and elastic. Add a bit more flour if the dough is sticky.
- Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with a cloth, and let it rise in a warm spot for 1-1.5 hours or until doubled in size.
- Prepare the Toppings:
- While the dough rises, cook the chicken if not already done. Season it with salt, pepper, and a pinch of garlic powder, then set aside.
- Preheat your oven to 475°F (245°C).
- Assemble the Pizza:
- Once the dough has risen, punch it down and roll it out onto a floured surface to form a 12-14 inch circle (or your desired thickness).
- Transfer the dough to a pizza stone or a greased baking sheet.
- Spread the pizza sauce evenly over the dough, leaving a bit of an edge for the crust.
- Sprinkle half the cheese over the sauce. Then, add the chicken, bell peppers, and onions on top. Sprinkle with oregano and basil.
- Add the remaining cheese on top of the toppings.
- Bake:
- Bake the pizza in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, or until the crust is golden and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Remove from the oven, and let it cool for a minute or two before slicing.
- Serve & Enjoy:
- Garnish with fresh basil or additional herbs if desired. Enjoy your homemade masterpiece!
Tips
- Extra Crispy Crust: Pre-bake the pizza crust for 5 minutes before adding toppings.
- Customize: Feel free to add extra toppings or swap ingredients based on what you have on hand!
