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Quick & Easy Chicken Pesto Pizza

A simple and flavorful chicken pesto pizza recipe that's perfect for busy weeknights, ready in under 30 minutes.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Servings 4 slices

Equipment

  • Oven preheated to 400-425°F (200-220°C)
  • Pizza Peel optional, dusted with flour or cornmeal
  • work surface lightly floured
  • Spoon
  • Knife
  • Cutting board

Ingredients
  

Main ingredients

  • 1 package store-bought refrigerated pizza dough or homemade pizza dough Find it in the dairy aisle of your grocery store.
  • 0.5 cup pesto sauce Store-bought is perfectly fine, or if you're feeling ambitious, a homemade pesto is divine.
  • 1 cup rotisserie chicken or shredded chicken Rotisserie chicken is a weeknight warrior.
  • 0.75 cup ricotta cheese This adds a lovely creaminess and a mild, tangy flavor that balances the pesto.
  • 2 cups fresh mozzarella ciliegine balls or shredded fresh mozzarella cheese Ciliegine are those cute little balls. They melt beautifully!
  • 1 cup grape tomatoes halved (optional). For a pop of freshness and color.
  • olive oil optional for crust. Just a little brush for that extra golden, crispy edge.

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your oven to around 400-425°F (200-220°C). Follow the instructions on your pizza dough package.
  • Lightly flour your work surface or a pizza peel. Gently stretch or roll out your pizza dough to your desired thickness and shape. If using a pizza peel, dust it with flour or cornmeal.
    1 package store-bought refrigerated pizza dough or homemade pizza dough
  • Spread pesto sauce all over the dough, leaving about a half-inch border for the crust.
    1 package store-bought refrigerated pizza dough or homemade pizza dough
  • Sprinkle the shredded chicken evenly over the pesto layer.
    1 package store-bought refrigerated pizza dough or homemade pizza dough
  • Dot spoonfuls of ricotta cheese over the chicken.
    1 package store-bought refrigerated pizza dough or homemade pizza dough
  • Generously scatter the fresh mozzarella balls or shredded mozzarella over everything.
    1 package store-bought refrigerated pizza dough or homemade pizza dough
  • If using, scatter the halved grape tomatoes over the cheese.
    1 package store-bought refrigerated pizza dough or homemade pizza dough
  • For an extra-crispy crust, brush a little olive oil around the edges of the dough.
    1 package store-bought refrigerated pizza dough or homemade pizza dough
  • Carefully slide the pizza into the preheated oven and bake for 10-15 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
  • Let the pizza cool for a few minutes before slicing and serving.

Notes

Make sure your oven is fully preheated. If your dough feels stiff, let it sit on the counter for 15-20 minutes before stretching. You can shred your chicken and halve your tomatoes a day in advance.