Crispy Pesto Grilled Chicken Pizza
A quick and easy homemade pizza featuring a crispy crust, smoky grilled chicken, rich pesto sauce, and fresh basil for a bright finish. Perfect for busy nights and casual dinners.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 6-8 slices (about 3-4 servings) 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 12-inch pizza dough (ready-made or homemade)
- 1/2 cup pesto sauce (store-bought or homemade)
- 1 cup grilled chicken, thinly sliced
- 1 1/2 cups shredded whole milk mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- A generous handful of fresh basil leaves, torn or whole
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (for brushing crust)
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 475°F (245°C). If using a pizza stone, place it in the oven while preheating for at least 30 minutes.
- Prepare the grilled chicken if not already cooked: season 1 large chicken breast with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Grill over medium-high heat for 6-7 minutes per side until juices run clear. Let rest for 5 minutes, then slice thinly.
- Roll out the pizza dough on a floured surface into a 12-inch circle. Brush the edges lightly with olive oil and sprinkle a pinch of salt and garlic powder.
- Spread about 1/2 cup pesto evenly over the dough, leaving a 1-inch border for the crust.
- Distribute the sliced grilled chicken evenly over the pesto, then sprinkle mozzarella and Parmesan cheese on top.
- Transfer the pizza onto the hot pizza stone or place the baking sheet in the oven.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes until cheese bubbles and crust is golden with crispy edges. Optionally broil for 1-2 minutes for extra crispness, watching closely to avoid burning.
- Remove pizza from oven and immediately scatter torn fresh basil leaves on top.
- Let the pizza rest for a couple of minutes before slicing into 6-8 pieces and serving.
Notes
For extra crispy crust, pre-bake dough for 3-4 minutes before adding toppings. Warm sliced chicken to room temperature before assembling to improve cheese melt. Fresh basil should be added after baking to preserve flavor and aroma. Use a pizza stone preheated for at least 30 minutes for best crust texture. Broil last 1-2 minutes if needed for crispiness but watch carefully to avoid burning.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (assuming 8
- Calories: 280320
- Sugar: 2
- Sodium: 450
- Fat: 12
- Saturated Fat: 5
- Carbohydrates: 25
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 18
Keywords: pesto pizza, grilled chicken pizza, homemade pizza, crispy pizza, fresh basil pizza, easy dinner, quick pizza recipe