Chicken Tikka Pizza Recipe

A fusion of classic Italian pizza and spicy Pakistani chicken tikka flavor, this chicken tikka pizza is an absolute delight!

Ingredients:

For the Pizza Dough:

• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

• 1 tsp instant yeast

• 1/2 tsp sugar

• 1/2 tsp salt

• 2 tbsp olive oil

• 3/4 cup warm water (adjust as needed)

For the Chicken Tikka:

• 300g boneless chicken breast (cut into bite-sized cubes)

• 2 tbsp plain yogurt

• 1 tbsp lemon juice

• 1 tsp red chili powder

• 1/2 tsp turmeric powder

• 1 tsp cumin powder

• 1 tsp coriander powder

• 1 tsp garam masala

• 1 tsp ginger garlic paste

• 1 tbsp oil

• Salt to taste

For the Pizza Sauce:

• 1 cup tomato sauce (or pizza sauce)

• 1 tsp garlic, minced

• 1 tsp dried oregano

• 1 tsp dried basil

• Salt and pepper to taste

For the Toppings:

• 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded

• 1/2 cup cheddar cheese, shredded (optional)

• 1/2 green bell pepper, thinly sliced

• 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced

• 1-2 green chilies, sliced (optional)

• Fresh coriander leaves for garnish (optional)

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Dough:

• In a large bowl, mix the flour, yeast, sugar, and salt.

• Add olive oil and gradually add warm water while mixing to form a soft dough.

• Knead the dough for 5-7 minutes until it’s smooth and elastic.

• Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover, and let it rise in a warm place for 1-1.5 hours, or until doubled in size.

2. Marinate the Chicken Tikka:

• In a bowl, mix yogurt, lemon juice, red chili powder, turmeric, cumin, coriander, garam masala, ginger garlic paste, oil, and salt.

• Add the chicken cubes and mix well until fully coated with the marinade.

• Let the chicken marinate for at least 30 minutes (the longer, the better for flavor).

3. Cook the Chicken Tikka:

• Heat a pan with a little oil over medium heat.

• Add the marinated chicken and cook for 5-7 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through and slightly charred on the edges.

• Set aside to cool slightly.

4. Prepare the Pizza Sauce:

• In a small pan, heat some oil and sauté the minced garlic until fragrant.

• Add the tomato sauce, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.

• Remove from heat and set aside.

5. Assemble the Pizza:

• Preheat the oven to 220°C (430°F).

• Punch down the risen dough and roll it out on a floured surface into a 12-inch circle (or rectangle, depending on your preference).

• Place the rolled dough on a pizza stone or baking sheet.

• Spread the prepared pizza sauce evenly over the dough, leaving a small border for the crust.

• Sprinkle a layer of shredded mozzarella cheese on top of the sauce.

6. Add the Chicken and Toppings:

• Evenly distribute the cooked chicken tikka pieces over the pizza.

• Add sliced bell peppers, onions, and green chilies (if using) on top.

• Sprinkle the cheddar cheese (optional) and the remaining mozzarella cheese over the toppings.

7. Bake the Pizza:

• Bake the pizza in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is bubbly and melted.

• Keep an eye on the pizza to prevent over-baking.

8. Garnish and Serve:

• Remove the pizza from the oven and garnish with fresh coriander leaves if desired.

• Slice the pizza and serve hot with ketchup, chili sauce, or your favorite dip.

Enjoy your homemade Chicken Tikka Pizza! The combination of spicy chicken tikka, gooey cheese, and flavorful veggies will make it a hit!