Description
This Spicy Chicken and Pickled Jalapeno Pizza combines a flavorful homemade dough with spicy sautéed chicken and tangy pickled jalapenos, all topped with melted mozzarella cheese. The garlic-infused olive oil adds a rich aroma and taste, while optional garnishes like cilantro and Crema provide a fresh finish. Perfect for a delicious homemade thin-crust pizza with a kick.
Ingredients
Scale
Dough
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup warm water
- 1 teaspoon yeast
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Garlic Oil
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- Pinch of salt
- 2 tablespoons olive oil (divided: 1 tbsp for dough, 1 tbsp for chicken)
Chicken Topping
- 1 chicken breast, chopped into bite-sized pieces
- 1 tablespoon crushed New Mexican chile or preferred chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon chipotle powder (optional)
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Pizza Assembly
- 1 cup pickled jalapenos
- 1 cup cubed mozzarella cheese
- Optional garnishes: chopped cilantro, Crema, additional pickled jalapenos
Instructions
- Prepare the Dough: In a mixing bowl, combine yeast and warm water, stirring to dissolve the yeast. Add the all-purpose flour and 1 teaspoon salt, mixing until a dough forms. Knead the dough until smooth, then cover it and let it rise for 1 to 2 hours until it doubles in size.
- Make Garlic Oil: In a small bowl, mix the minced garlic, a pinch of salt, and 2 tablespoons olive oil, mashing the garlic into the oil to infuse the flavor.
- Cook the Spicy Chicken: Toss the chopped chicken breast with crushed New Mexican chile powder, optional chipotle powder, 1/4 teaspoon salt, freshly ground black pepper, and 1 tablespoon olive oil. Sauté the chicken over medium-high heat until cooked through and slightly browned, then set aside.
- Preheat and Prepare Pizza Crusts: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Roll out the risen dough into two thin 10-inch pizzas. Optionally, pre-bake the crusts for 1 to 2 minutes to prevent sogginess.
- Assemble the Pizzas: Brush the garlic-infused olive oil evenly over the pizza crusts. Distribute the cooked spicy chicken, cubed mozzarella cheese, and pickled jalapenos evenly on top.
- Bake the Pizzas: Bake the assembled pizzas in the preheated oven for 8 to 10 minutes or until the crust edges turn golden and the cheese has melted perfectly.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove the pizzas from the oven and garnish with chopped cilantro, a drizzle of Crema, or additional pickled jalapenos if desired. Serve immediately for the best taste and texture.
Notes
- For extra crispy crust, pre-bake the pizza dough for 1-2 minutes before adding toppings.
- Adjust the amount of pickled jalapenos based on spice tolerance.
- Chipotle powder is optional but adds a smoky depth to the chicken.
- Allow the dough to rise fully for a lighter, airy crust.
- Use fresh mozzarella if available for creamier texture.
- Garnishes like cilantro and Crema add fresh and cooling flavors balancing the heat.
