Spicy Garlic Chicken Pizza
The Complimentary Flavors Make This Pizza a Favorite
We all know that pizza doesn't have to mean pepperoni. Opening up your options can sometimes lead you to a new favorite recipe. This pizza is made with a few non-traditional ingredients, but the combination is a nice flavor that even traditionalists can appreciate. In addition to flavor, though, this pizza is also highly nutritious and intensely colorful.
Spicy Garlic Chicken Pizza (serves 4)
Prep time: 30 min Cook time: 12 min
Ingredients:
(Dough)
- 2 C all purpose flour
- 1/3 C whole wheat flour
- 1 T yeast
- 1 C warm water
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 2 T cooking oil
(Toppings)
- 1 boneless skinless chicken breast
- 2 T oil
- 1/4 tsp garlic powder
- salt and pepper
- 1/2 red pepper (chopped)
- 1 C shredded spinach
- 6 oz cheddar cheese (shredded)
- 1/3 C tomato sauce
- 1/3 C hot garlic salsa
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
- Heat 2 T oil in a medium skillet over medium high heat.
- Meanwhile, mix 1 C of the flour, the yeast and the water. Beat until smooth and sticky (2-3 minutes in mixer). This step helps to build gluten strands which contribute to a good rise and texture for the pizza crust.
- Add salt, oil and whole wheat flour. Mix until thoroughly combined.
- Slowly add the rest of the flour and knead until the dough is soft, satiny and pliable. The kneading process also builds gluten strands. It is diffucult to knead the dough too much. Eight minutes is a good amount of kneading time. Let the dough rest for ten minutes
- While dough is resting, place thawed chicken breast in the pan with hot oil. Season with garlic powder, salt and pepper.
- Cover the skillet and allow chicken to cook. (Turn after ten minutes and continue to cook until meat thermometer registers 160 degrees).
- When you turn the chicken, add the red peppers to the skillet.
- Press dough onto a greased 16" pizza pan.
- Mix sauce. Combine tomato sauce, garlic salsa, sugar and italian seasoning.
- Cut chicken into bite-sized pieces.
- Spread sauce over crust. Add chicken and peppers.
- Spread shredded spinach over the chicken.
- Sprinkle cheese over the entire pizza.
- Bake pizza in a hot oven for approximately 12 minutes. Crust will brown and cheese will be completely melted when the pizza is done.
This spicy garlic chicken pizza is not typical because is contains salsa and cheddar cheese instead of a plain marinara and mozzarella. Along with the sauce and the cheese, notice the wholesomeness of a crust made with whole wheat flour and toppings full of nutrient-rich vegetables. Garlic and spinach are especially dense in antioxidants and vitamins. Don't be timid about the ingredients, though. The combination blends well and turns out to be a mouth-watering lunchtime treat.
