Recipe Monday: Chipotle Chicken Pizza

Continuing my love affair with chipotle chili anything, and looking for a quick, easy, and inexpensive weeknight supper, I bring you the humble pizza.

I love making pizza at home. You can slap pretty much anything you like on a pizza crust, and you’ve got a meal that appeals to everyone! And when you make your own pizza, you’ve got control over the fat, calories and every ingredient.

Who says it has to be Italian, anyway? Coming soon: Hummus Pizza. Really. You will love it.

Chipotle Chicken Pizza

1 12″ pizza crust (either homemade or store-bought)

2 Tbs. olive oil or grapeseed oil

1 medium onion, sliced in half-rings

2-3 cloves of garlic, roughly chopped

1 tsp. kosher salt

1/2 tsp. chipotle chili powder, or to taste

1/2 tsp. ground cumin

1/4 tsp. ground black pepper

1 large (about 10 oz.) boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into small pieces

1 14.5 oz. can diced tomatoes

Several pinches of dried cilantro

Optional: 1/4 cup shredded cheese (cheddar, jack, or mozzarella)

Preheat oven to 450º F.

Heat the oil over medium-high heat in a large, non-stick skillet. Add the onions, garlic, and salt. Reduce heat to medium and sauteé until onions are soft. Add the chili powder, cumin, and pepper, stir, and cook for an additional minute.

Add the chicken, stir to combine, and cook for about 5 minutes, or until the chicken pieces are white. Pour in the tomatoes and their liquid, stir.

Turn up the heat to medium-high, and cook until the liquid is reduced to a thick sauce, about 10 minutes.

Spread the chicken mixture over the prepared pizza crust, sprinkle with dried cilantro. Top with cheese, if using. Bake for 10-12 minutes.

Notes:

Using a pizza/baking stone will enhance the flavor and give you a nice, crispy crust. If you don’t have a pizza stone, you can bake this directly on the oven rack, placed in the lowest position. Alternatively, you can use a baking sheet.

I didn’t use cheese because I have a kosher kitchen and therefore don’t mix meat with dairy in my home. Ultimately, MJ said he missed the melty, stretchy fun of the cheese that makes it pizza. I liked the flavors and textures, as is. Your choice.

Enjoy!