Pesto Chicken & Spinach Pizza
Pesto Chicken & Spinach Pizza
Ingredients
For the Pizza Dough
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon active dry yeast
- 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup warm water, (105-115°F)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil, plus more for greasing
For the Toppings
- 1 1/2 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded or diced
- 5 ounces fresh spinach
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 1/2 cup basil pesto
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes, optional
For Serving
- fresh basil, for garnish, chopped
Instructions
- 1
In a large bowl, combine the warm water, granulated sugar, and active dry yeast. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes until foamy.
⏱️ 10 min
- 2
Stir in the olive oil and salt. Gradually add the all-purpose flour, mixing until a shaggy dough forms. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 5-7 minutes until smooth and elastic.
⏱️ 10 min
- 3
Lightly grease a clean bowl with olive oil. Place the dough in the bowl, turning once to coat. Cover with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel and let rise in a warm place for 30-60 minutes, or until doubled in size.
⏱️ 60 min
- 4
Preheat your oven to 450°F. If using a pizza stone, place it in the oven while preheating.
⏱️ 15 min•🌡️ 450
- 5
Punch down the risen dough and transfer it to a lightly floured surface. Roll or stretch the dough into a 12-14 inch circle. Carefully transfer the dough to a lightly floured pizza peel or a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
⏱️ 5 min
- 6
Spread the basil pesto evenly over the pizza dough, leaving a small border for the crust. Sprinkle half of the shredded mozzarella cheese over the pesto.
⏱️ 3 min
- 7
Evenly distribute the cooked chicken and fresh spinach over the cheese. Top with the remaining mozzarella cheese and the grated Parmesan cheese. If desired, sprinkle with red pepper flakes.
⏱️ 2 min
- 8
Bake the pizza for 12-15 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is bubbly and slightly browned. If using a pizza stone, slide the pizza directly onto the hot stone.
⏱️ 15 min•🌡️ 450
- 9
Remove the pizza from the oven, let it cool for a few minutes, then garnish with fresh basil. Slice and serve immediately.
⏱️ 5 min
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Pesto Chicken & Spinach Pizza
Ingredients
For the Pizza Dough
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon active dry yeast
- 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup warm water, (105-115°F)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil, plus more for greasing
For the Toppings
- 1 1/2 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded or diced
- 5 ounces fresh spinach
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 1/2 cup basil pesto
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes, optional
For Serving
- fresh basil, for garnish, chopped
Instructions
- 1
In a large bowl, combine the warm water, granulated sugar, and active dry yeast. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes until foamy.
⏱️ 10 min - 2
Stir in the olive oil and salt. Gradually add the all-purpose flour, mixing until a shaggy dough forms. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 5-7 minutes until smooth and elastic.
⏱️ 10 min - 3
Lightly grease a clean bowl with olive oil. Place the dough in the bowl, turning once to coat. Cover with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel and let rise in a warm place for 30-60 minutes, or until doubled in size.
⏱️ 60 min - 4
Preheat your oven to 450°F. If using a pizza stone, place it in the oven while preheating.
⏱️ 15 min•🌡️ 450 - 5
Punch down the risen dough and transfer it to a lightly floured surface. Roll or stretch the dough into a 12-14 inch circle. Carefully transfer the dough to a lightly floured pizza peel or a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
⏱️ 5 min - 6
Spread the basil pesto evenly over the pizza dough, leaving a small border for the crust. Sprinkle half of the shredded mozzarella cheese over the pesto.
⏱️ 3 min - 7
Evenly distribute the cooked chicken and fresh spinach over the cheese. Top with the remaining mozzarella cheese and the grated Parmesan cheese. If desired, sprinkle with red pepper flakes.
⏱️ 2 min - 8
Bake the pizza for 12-15 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is bubbly and slightly browned. If using a pizza stone, slide the pizza directly onto the hot stone.
⏱️ 15 min•🌡️ 450 - 9
Remove the pizza from the oven, let it cool for a few minutes, then garnish with fresh basil. Slice and serve immediately.
⏱️ 5 min