Quick & Easy 5-Ingredient Chicken Pesto Pizza: Your New Weeknight Favorite!
Discover the secret to an incredibly flavorful, gourmet-tasting pizza that comes together in just 20 minutes with only five simple ingredients. This Chicken Pesto Pizza, adorned with vibrant fresh tomatoes and creamy mozzarella, will have everyone convinced you spent hours in the kitchen, when in reality, it’s a breeze to prepare!
Effortless Weeknight Dinner: Simple Chicken Pesto Pizza
Are you constantly searching for quick dinner solutions that don’t compromise on taste? This simple Chicken Pesto Pizza is your answer! Boasting a mere five ingredients, this dish delivers an experience akin to what you’d find at a high-end pizza parlor, yet it’s ready on your table in under 20 minutes. It’s the ultimate culinary magic trick for busy weeknights or those leisurely weekends when you crave something special without the fuss.
Imagine serving up a pizza so delicious, so fresh, and so perfectly balanced in flavor that your family and friends will rave about it for days. The beauty of this recipe lies in its deceptive simplicity. You’ll be able to create a meal that tastes like you’ve invested significant time and effort, but in truth, you’ve simply assembled it with minimal preparation. Consider it our little secret – the less they know about how easy it was, the more impressed they’ll be!
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The 5 Essential Ingredients for Your Chicken Pesto Pizza
While the idea of making everything from scratch—homemade pizza dough, fresh pesto, slow-cooked chicken—sounds romantic, it’s often impractical for today’s fast-paced lifestyle. This recipe champions convenience without sacrificing quality or taste. It leverages readily available store-bought items to create a gourmet experience in minutes. Why complicate things when simplicity tastes this good?
Our journey to pizza perfection begins with a store-purchased pizza crust. You have options here: whether you prefer the convenience of a refrigerated dough that’s ready to unroll, or a boxed mix that simply requires water and a quick knead (which I often opt for due to its consistent results), both work beautifully as your foundation. This choice alone shaves significant time off your preparation.
Next up, we gather our star toppings. I personally swear by a large ball of fresh mozzarella cheese, which melts into a creamy, luscious layer, providing that authentic Italian pizza experience. For the chicken, a store-bought rotisserie chicken is an absolute game-changer. It’s pre-cooked, perfectly seasoned, and shreds effortlessly, adding a rich, savory depth to the pizza. No need for separate cooking! The vibrant heart of this pizza, of course, is a quality jar of garlic basil pesto. This provides a burst of herbaceous flavor that ties all the ingredients together. Finally, two fresh Roma tomatoes, thinly sliced, introduce a touch of sweet acidity and beautiful color, elevating the pizza from good to outstanding.
These five components – crust, pesto, mozzarella, chicken, and tomatoes – are all you need to assemble a pizza that tastes like it came from a specialty restaurant. The magic lies in the quality of these ingredients and how they harmonize when baked. It’s a testament to how simple, good food can be, even on the busiest of schedules.
Inspired by “The Easy Chicken Cookbook” by Sheila Thigpen
While I’d love to claim full credit for this ingenious Chicken Pesto Pizza recipe, the truth is, I discovered this gem within the pages of a fantastic new cookbook. This particular recipe, along with many other brilliant ideas, comes from “The Easy Chicken Cookbook,” penned by my dear friend and talented fellow food blogger, Sheila Thigpen. Her culinary philosophy, much like mine, centers around creating delicious, accessible meals for real-life busy schedules.
Win a Copy of The Easy Chicken Cookbook for Yourself (Giveaway Ended)
Simple Chicken Pesto Pizza Preparation: A 7-Step Guide
Preparing this Chicken Pesto Pizza is so straightforward, you’ll wonder why you ever ordered takeout! With just seven easy steps, you can go from craving to feasting in a flash. Here’s how to assemble your perfect pizza:
- **Prepare Your Crust:** Begin by preheating your oven to 425°F (220°C). Lightly spray a 12-inch pizza pan with non-stick cooking spray to prevent sticking. Then, roll out your chosen pizza dough (refrigerated or prepared box mix) onto the pan. Use a fork to gently poke holes across the surface of the dough – this helps prevent large air bubbles from forming during baking and ensures an evenly cooked crust. Pre-bake the crust for 5 minutes. This crucial step helps create a crisper base that won’t get soggy under the toppings.
- **Slice & Shred:** While your crust is getting its initial bake, take this opportunity to prepare your fresh ingredients. Thinly slice the ball of fresh mozzarella cheese and your Roma tomatoes. If you haven’t already, shred your rotisserie chicken (you can usually find this pre-shredded in many delis, or it’s easy to do yourself while warm).
- **Apply the Pesto:** Once the pre-baked crust is out of the oven, generously spread your garlic basil pesto sauce evenly over the top. If your pesto seems a bit thick, a small drizzle of extra virgin olive oil can help thin it out, making it easier to spread and giving it a beautiful sheen.
- **Layer the Cheese:** Next, arrange the slices of fresh mozzarella cheese over the pesto. Distribute them evenly, leaving a small border for the crust. As the cheese melts, it will create a gooey, delicious foundation for your other toppings.
- **Add the Chicken:** Evenly sprinkle the shredded rotisserie chicken over the mozzarella layer. The pre-cooked nature of the chicken means it just needs to heat through and meld with the other flavors.
- **Top with Tomatoes & Pesto Drizzle:** Artfully arrange your sliced Roma tomatoes on top of the chicken and cheese. For an extra boost of flavor and a touch of visual appeal, drizzle a little more pesto sauce over the tomatoes. This is an optional step, but highly recommended for an enhanced pesto experience.
- **Final Bake & Serve:** Place your assembled pizza back into the preheated oven. Bake for approximately 13 minutes, or until the cheese is beautifully melted, golden, and bubbly, and the crust is cooked through to your desired crispness. Once ready, carefully remove the pizza from the oven, slice it into wedges, and serve hot!
This recipe is incredibly adaptable. While rotisserie chicken is a fantastic shortcut, this pizza is also an excellent way to use up any leftover cooked chicken you might have. For a delicious meatless option, simply omit the chicken altogether! The pesto, mozzarella, and tomatoes are a classic trio that stands strong on its own. You could also experiment with other toppings like artichoke hearts for a Mediterranean twist, or add some fresh Parmesan cheese for extra savoriness.
When it comes to tomatoes, feel free to use what you have on hand. While Roma tomatoes offer a beautiful shape and firm texture, any variety will do. If you’re lucky enough to have a garden, fresh vine-ripened tomatoes will take this pizza to another level. Halved heirloom or sweet cherry tomatoes would also be absolutely fantastic, adding bursts of juicy flavor with every bite.
This chicken pesto pizza recipe also lends itself beautifully to alternative crusts. Imagine it as an incredible flatbread or a speedy lavash pizza! Next time, I plan to try it on a flatbread base and finish it with a generous sprinkling of fresh basil leaves just before serving, for an aromatic flourish.
Are You a Pizza Lover? Embrace Your Inner Pizzaiolo!
If there’s one food that unites nearly everyone, it’s pizza. And I’m no exception – I absolutely adore pizza! While I cherish my classic favorites (hamburger and mushroom will always hold a special place in my heart!), I also revel in the opportunity to get creative and embark on adventurous pizza-making endeavors every now and then. There’s something so satisfying about crafting a unique pie right in your own kitchen.
If you’re like me and enjoy exploring new flavor combinations or putting a creative spin on this beloved dish, you’re in for a treat. Pizza is incredibly versatile, offering endless possibilities for customization and experimentation. From savory to sweet, traditional to unconventional, there’s a pizza out there for every mood and every palate. Here are some of the fantastic and fun ways we love to enjoy pizza at our house, ranging from classic renditions to innovative twists:
- **Reuben Pizza:** A creative fusion that brings the classic deli sandwich to a pizza crust, complete with corned beef, sauerkraut, and Swiss cheese.
- **Buffalo Chicken Pizza:** All the spicy, tangy goodness of buffalo wings on a pizza, typically with chicken, hot sauce, and blue cheese crumbles.
- **Spinach Artichoke Alfredo Pizza:** A creamy, indulgent pizza inspired by the beloved dip, featuring spinach, artichoke hearts, and a rich Alfredo sauce.
- **Pizza Meatloaf Minis:** A clever, bite-sized twist on meatloaf, infused with pizza flavors and topped with cheese.
- **Open-Faced Pizza Burgers:** Combining two comfort food favorites, these feature juicy burger patties topped with pizza sauce and melted cheese.
- **Hashbrown Breakfast Pizza:** A fantastic way to start the day, using a hashbrown crust and breakfast-inspired toppings like eggs, cheese, and bacon.
- **Pizza Monster Sandwiches:** Fun, cheesy, and hearty sandwiches packed with all your favorite pizza fillings.
- **Pizza Dip with Garlic Bread Toasts:** A crowd-pleasing appetizer that delivers all the flavors of pizza in a warm, cheesy dip, perfect for sharing.
- **Copy Cat Taco Bell Mexican Pizza:** Recreate the iconic fast-food favorite at home with crispy tortillas, seasoned beef, and flavorful toppings.
Exploring these different pizza creations is not only a delicious culinary adventure but also a wonderful way to use up leftovers, cater to diverse tastes, and simply have fun in the kitchen. So, whether you’re sticking to the classics or venturing into new pizza territory, there’s always something exciting to try!
Love This Recipe? Pin It for Later!
If this quick and delicious Chicken Pesto Pizza recipe has captured your imagination and you’re eager to whip it up for your next meal, don’t let it get lost in the sea of online recipes! Be sure to save it to your favorite Pinterest recipe board. This way, it will always be just a click away when you need a fast, flavorful, and impressive dinner idea. Pin it now and thank yourself later!
Now, let’s get down to the exact recipe details, so you can start cooking! 
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Print Recipe
Simple Chicken Pesto Pizza
Ingredients
- 1 refrigerated pizza crust OR a prepared box mix, for a quick and easy base
- 1/3 cup Garlic Basil Pesto Sauce store-bought, plus a little extra for drizzling
- 1 8 ounce ball fresh mozzarella cheese, sliced for creamy, authentic flavor
- 2 Roma tomatoes freshly sliced, for vibrant color and flavor
- 1 1/2 cups shredded rotisserie chicken a fantastic shortcut for pre-cooked, seasoned chicken
Instructions
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Preheat your oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit (220°C). Prepare a 12-inch pizza pan by lightly spraying it with non-stick cooking spray to ensure the crust doesn’t stick.
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Roll the pizza dough out onto the prepared pizza pan, gently stretching it to fit. Using a fork, carefully poke several holes across the surface of the dough. This helps prevent large bubbles from forming and ensures an even bake. Pre-bake the crust in the preheated oven for 5 minutes.
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While the pizza crust is pre-baking, take this time to prepare your fresh toppings. Slice your ball of fresh mozzarella cheese into even rounds and thinly slice your Roma tomatoes.
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Once the pre-baked crust is out of the oven, generously spread the 1/3 cup of garlic basil pesto sauce over the entire surface. If the pesto is quite thick, you can thin it slightly with a small amount of olive oil to make spreading easier.
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Next, arrange the slices of fresh mozzarella cheese evenly over the pesto. Then, sprinkle the shredded rotisserie chicken on top of the cheese. Finally, layer the sliced Roma tomatoes over the chicken. For an extra boost of flavor and visual appeal, drizzle a little more pesto sauce over the tomatoes (optional, but highly recommended).
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Return the pizza to the oven and bake for an additional 13 minutes, or until the cheese is beautifully melted and bubbly, and the crust is golden brown.
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Carefully remove the pizza from the oven, allow it to cool for a minute or two, then slice and serve hot to enjoy its delicious, fresh flavors!