Designer Pizza
A flavorful, customizable pizza featuring seasoned chicken, fresh vegetables, and melted cheeses, perfect for family dinners or casual gatherings.
Ingredients
- 1 pkg. refrigerated pizza dough or homemade pizza dough ⓘ
- 1 Tbsp. olive oil ⓘ
- 2 whole skinless, boneless chicken breasts, cut into cubes ⓘ
- 1/2 c. chopped green pepper ⓘ
- 1 Tbsp. basil ⓘ
- 2 tsp. oregano ⓘ
- 2 tsp. garlic powder granules
- 2 tsp. chicken soup mix ⓘ
- 1 tsp. parsley flakes ⓘ
- 1/4 tsp. black pepper
- 1 small red onion, sliced and separated into rings ⓘ
- 1 can sliced mushrooms, drained ⓘ
- 3/4 c. grated Parmesan cheese ⓘ
- 2 c. shredded low-fat Mozzarella cheese ⓘ
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 500°F (260°C).
- Roll out the pizza dough and place it on a tin foil-covered cookie sheet sprayed with cooking spray.
- In a skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat.
- Add chicken cubes and cook until no longer pink, about 5-7 minutes.
- Add chopped green pepper, basil, oregano, garlic powder, chicken soup mix, parsley flakes, and black pepper to the chicken. Cook for another 2 minutes.
- Spread the cooked chicken and vegetable mixture evenly over the pizza dough.
- Top with sliced red onion, drained sliced mushrooms, grated Parmesan, and shredded mozzarella cheese.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the crust is golden and cheese is bubbly.
Tips & Substitutions
For a crispy crust, ensure your oven is fully preheated and consider using a pizza stone if available. If you prefer a vegetarian option, substitute the chicken with roasted vegetables or a mix of your favorite toppings. Fresh herbs can enhance the flavor; feel free to use fresh basil and parsley instead of dried. Incorporating a drizzle of balsamic glaze before serving adds a delicious touch.
Serving Suggestions
Slice the Designer Pizza into wedges and serve with a fresh side salad or garlic bread for a complete meal. It pairs beautifully with Italian recipes like Italian Breaded Chicken Breast for a more substantial dinner. For extra flavor, offer crushed red pepper flakes or a variety of dipping sauces on the side.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftover pizza in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, place slices on a baking sheet in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for about 10 minutes, ensuring the cheese melts and the crust stays crispy. Avoid microwaving, as it can make the crust chewy.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Designer Pizza contains roughly 1174 calories, with 28g protein, 133g carbohydrates, and 65g fat. It is an excellent source of iron (129% of the Daily Value), vitamin C (113% of the Daily Value), and dietary fiber (99% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 870mg per serving (38% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use store-bought pizza sauce instead of the chicken mixture?
Yes, using store-bought pizza sauce is a great shortcut that can save time. Simply spread the sauce over the rolled-out dough before adding the toppings. This can enhance the flavor while keeping the recipe simple and quick.
What other toppings can I add to this pizza?
Feel free to customize your pizza with additional toppings like pepperoni, olives, or spinach. Grilled vegetables or even feta cheese can add a unique twist. Just be mindful of the moisture content to prevent a soggy crust.
Can I prepare the toppings ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can cook the chicken and prepare the vegetable mixture a day in advance. Store them in the refrigerator, then assemble and bake your pizza when you're ready for a fresh meal. This makes for an efficient weeknight dinner option.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).