Tired of the same old dinner routine? Craving something flavorful, homemade, and surprisingly easy? Then look no further! This recipe combines the comforting goodness of homemade pizza dough with juicy, seasoned chicken for a quick, healthy, and incredibly delicious meal. It's perfect for a busy weeknight, a casual family gathering, or even a fun weekend cooking project. Get ready to impress yourself and your loved ones with this simple yet satisfying dish!
Ingredients:
For the Pizza Dough:
- 1 cup warm water (105-115°F)
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 2 teaspoons active dry yeast
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
For the Chicken:
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- Salt to taste
- Your favorite pizza toppings (e.g., mozzarella cheese, mushrooms, bell peppers, onions)
Instructions:
Making the Pizza Dough:
- In a large bowl, combine warm water, sugar, and yeast. Let stand for 5-10 minutes until foamy. This ensures your yeast is active and your dough will rise properly.
- Add flour and salt to the yeast mixture. Stir until a shaggy dough forms.
- Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 5-7 minutes, or until smooth and elastic. Add a little more flour if the dough is too sticky. Don't be afraid to get your hands a little messy!
- Lightly oil a large bowl, place the dough inside, turning to coat. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
Cooking the Chicken:
- While the dough is rising, prepare the chicken. In a bowl, toss the chicken pieces with olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, black pepper, oregano, and salt.
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken and cook for 5-7 minutes, or until cooked through and browned.
Assembling and Baking:
- Preheat oven to 450°F (232°C).
- Punch down the risen dough and roll it out to your desired thickness and shape.
- Transfer the dough to a baking sheet or pizza stone.
- Spread the cooked chicken evenly over the pizza dough.
- Add your favorite pizza toppings.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Tips and Variations:
- For a crispier crust, pre-bake the dough for 5 minutes before adding toppings.
- Feel free to experiment with different herbs and spices for the chicken. Italian seasoning, rosemary, or thyme would all be delicious additions.
- If you're short on time, use store-bought pizza dough.
- Add a drizzle of your favorite pizza sauce before adding the chicken and toppings for extra flavor.
- This recipe is easily adaptable to different dietary needs. Use gluten-free flour for a gluten-free pizza, or substitute the chicken with vegetables for a vegetarian option.
Nutritional Information (per serving, approximate):
This will vary based on the toppings used, but a serving of this pizza with chicken and moderate cheese can contain around 400-500 calories, 25-35g protein, 40-50g carbohydrates, and 15-20g fat. This provides a good source of protein and some essential nutrients depending on your toppings. Remember to adjust serving sizes accordingly.
Enjoy your delicious and easy homemade pizza dough and chicken dinner! Let us know in the comments how you customized this recipe and what your favorite toppings are. We’d love to hear from you!