Description

This Chicken Pesto Pizza is a quick and delicious homemade pizza featuring a thin crust topped with flavorful basil pesto, seasoned cooked chicken, fresh tomato slices, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheese. Perfectly baked to a golden crust with melted, bubbly cheese, this recipe offers a vibrant and satisfying meal in just 35 minutes, ideal for pizza lovers seeking a fresh twist with pesto and chicken.

Ingredients

Scale

Pizza Base

1 thin pizza crust, 12 inches diameter (store-bought or homemade)

Chicken Topping

1 cup cooked chicken breast, diced or shredded
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Other Toppings

1/3 cup basil pesto (store-bought or homemade)
1 1/4 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1 medium ripe tomato, thinly sliced
2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
Fresh basil leaves for garnish (optional)

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Instructions

Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 475°F. If you have a pizza stone, place it inside the oven while it preheats to ensure even, crisp baking.
Season Chicken: In a small bowl, toss the cooked chicken breast with olive oil, salt, and black pepper until it is well coated and evenly seasoned.
Prepare Crust: Lay the pizza crust on a baking sheet or a pizza peel lined with parchment paper, ready for topping.
Spread Pesto: Evenly spread the basil pesto across the surface of the crust, leaving a small border around the edges to create a crust.
Add Chicken: Distribute the seasoned chicken pieces evenly over the pesto layer to ensure every bite has flavor.
Layer Cheese and Tomatoes: Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese uniformly over the pizza, then arrange the thin tomato slices on top in a single layer for fresh flavor and color.
Add Parmesan: Sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese over the entire pizza to enhance depth and richness.
Bake Pizza: Carefully transfer the pizza to the oven and bake for 12 to 15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and the crust has turned golden brown.
Finish and Serve: Remove the pizza from the oven and let it cool for one minute. Garnish with fresh basil leaves if desired, then slice and serve immediately for the best taste and texture.

Notes

Using a pizza stone helps achieve a crispier crust by evenly distributing the oven heat.
Feel free to substitute cooked chicken breast with grilled chicken for added smoky flavor.
For a spicier variation, add red pepper flakes over the pesto before adding the chicken.
If fresh tomatoes are not available, sun-dried tomatoes can be used for a more intense flavor.
Make sure not to overload the pizza with toppings to ensure even cooking and a crisp crust.