Pesto Chicken Pizza Recipe
This Pesto Chicken Pizza recipe combines the fresh, vibrant flavors of homemade basil pesto with tender cooked chicken and tangy artichoke hearts on a crispy pre-baked pizza crust. Topped with creamy fontina cheese and baked to golden perfection, this easy-to-make pizza is perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or casual gathering.
- Author: Daniel
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Pizza
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Halal
Pizza Base and Sauce
- ½ cup pesto basil sauce
- 1 12-inch pre-baked pizza crust
Toppings
- 2 cups cooked chicken breast strips
- 1 6-ounce jar artichoke hearts, drained and chopped
- ½ cup shredded fontina cheese
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) to ensure it’s hot and ready for baking the pizza.
- Prepare Pizza Crust: Place the pre-baked pizza crust on a baking sheet or pizza stone to provide a stable surface for assembly and baking.
- Spread Pesto Sauce: Evenly spread the ½ cup of pesto basil sauce over the entire surface of the crust, which serves as the flavorful base for the toppings.
- Add Chicken and Artichokes: Arrange the cooked chicken breast strips evenly over the pesto-covered crust, then scatter the chopped artichoke hearts on top to add texture and tang.
- Sprinkle Cheese: Distribute the shredded fontina cheese evenly over the toppings to ensure an even melt and a deliciously cheesy finish.
- Bake the Pizza: Transfer the pizza to the preheated oven and bake for 8–10 minutes until the fontina cheese is melted, bubbly, and golden brown.
- Rest and Serve: Remove the pizza from the oven and let it rest for 2 minutes to allow the cheese to set slightly, making slicing easier.
- Optional Garnish: For extra flavor and presentation, garnish the pizza with fresh basil leaves or a drizzle of olive oil before serving hot.
Notes
- Use pre-cooked chicken strips for quick assembly and to ensure the chicken is tender.
- If you prefer, substitute fontina cheese with mozzarella or a blend of Italian cheeses.
- For extra crispiness, bake on a pizza stone preheated in the oven.
- Leftover pizza can be reheated in the oven or a skillet to maintain crispness.
- To make your own pesto, blend fresh basil, pine nuts, garlic, Parmesan cheese, and olive oil.
Keywords: Pesto Chicken Pizza, easy pizza recipe, basil pesto pizza, chicken pizza, Italian pizza, quick dinner recipe