Pizza night just got a protein-packed upgrade! Instead of a traditional crust, this chicken parm pizza uses seasoned ground chicken as the base, then gets topped with marinara, plenty of melty mozzarella, Parmesan, and fresh basil.
It’s crispy around the edges, cheesy on top, and surprisingly easy to make. If you’re looking for a simple way to add more protein to pizza night, this chicken parm pizza is definitely worth trying.
Ingredients
- 1 lb. ground chicken
- ¾ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, divided
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- Kosher salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- ¼ cup marinara sauce
- ½ cup freshly shredded mozzarella cheese
- Red pepper flakes, for serving, optional
- Fresh basil leaves, for garnish
- Cooking spray
Directions
Step 1: Get the Oven Ready
First, preheat your oven to 400°F. While it’s heating, line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
Step 2: Make the Chicken Crust
Next, add the ground chicken, ½ cup of Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, and minced garlic to a large bowl. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper, then gently mix everything together until well combined. Try not to overmix the mixture, since that will help keep the chicken crust tender.
Step 3: Shape the Crust
Once the chicken mixture is ready, lightly coat the parchment-lined baking sheet with cooking spray. Then, transfer the mixture to the center of the baking sheet and gently shape it into a large round crust about ½ inch thick. Try to keep the thickness as even as possible so the crust cooks evenly from edge to edge.
Step 4: Bake the Crust
Now, place the chicken crust in the preheated oven and bake for 20-22 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the edges are golden brown. Once it’s done, carefully remove the crust from the oven.
Step 5: Add the Toppings
Next, switch your oven to broil. Spread a thin layer of marinara sauce evenly over the chicken crust, leaving a small border around the edges. Then, sprinkle the mozzarella over the sauce, making sure you get plenty of cheesy goodness across the top.
Step 6: Broil Until Cheesy and Golden
Place the pizza back under the broiler and cook for about 3-4 minutes, just until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly golden. Keep a close eye on it during this step because broilers can brown food really quickly!
Step 7: Finish and Serve
Finally, sprinkle the remaining ¼ cup of Parmesan over the hot pizza. If you like a little bit of heat, add a pinch of red pepper flakes, then finish everything with a handful of fresh basil leaves. Let it cool for just a minute or two, then slice it up and serve while it’s still hot and cheesy.
With its savory chicken crust, tangy marinara, gooey mozzarella, and fresh basil, this pizza has all the comforting flavors of chicken Parmesan in a fun, pizza style package. It’s a delicious twist on a classic that’s sure to become a favorite!
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