Indulge in a delightful fusion of flavors with this chicken pesto pizza. This recipe combines the rich, aromatic taste of vegan pesto with the savory goodness of vegan chicken strips, all atop a perfectly baked pizza dough. It's a perfect dish for a cozy night in or a fun gathering with friends.
When preparing this recipe, you might need to visit a specialty store for a few ingredients. Vegan chicken strips and vegan mozzarella cheese are not always available in every supermarket. Make sure to check the plant-based or vegan section of your local store. Additionally, vegan pesto can sometimes be tricky to find, so you might consider making your own at home.
Ingredients for Chicken Pesto Pizza Recipe
Pizza dough: The base of your pizza, providing a chewy and crispy texture.
Vegan pesto: A flavorful sauce made from basil, nuts, and olive oil, but without any animal products.
Vegan chicken strips: Plant-based protein that mimics the texture and taste of chicken.
Cherry tomatoes: Adds a burst of sweetness and acidity to balance the flavors.
Vegan mozzarella cheese: A dairy-free alternative that melts and stretches like traditional mozzarella.
Olive oil: Enhances the crust's crispiness and adds a rich flavor.
Salt and pepper: Basic seasonings to enhance the overall taste.
Technique Tip for This Recipe
When spreading the vegan pesto on the pizza dough, use the back of a spoon to ensure an even layer. This helps to avoid clumps and ensures that every bite is flavorful. Additionally, for a crispier crust, pre-bake the dough for about 5 minutes before adding the toppings. This technique helps to prevent a soggy center, especially when using juicy ingredients like cherry tomatoes.
Suggested Side Dishes
Alternative Ingredients
vegan chicken strips - Substitute with marinated tofu: Marinated tofu provides a similar texture and absorbs flavors well, making it a great alternative to vegan chicken strips.
vegan chicken strips - Substitute with jackfruit: Jackfruit has a fibrous texture that mimics shredded chicken, and it can be seasoned to match the flavor profile of the dish.
vegan mozzarella cheese - Substitute with cashew cheese: Cashew cheese melts well and has a creamy texture, making it a suitable replacement for vegan mozzarella cheese.
vegan mozzarella cheese - Substitute with nutritional yeast: Nutritional yeast provides a cheesy flavor and can be sprinkled on top for a similar taste experience, though it won't melt like cheese.
vegan pesto - Substitute with avocado pesto: Avocado pesto is creamy and rich, offering a similar texture and flavor to traditional vegan pesto.
vegan pesto - Substitute with sun-dried tomato pesto: Sun-dried tomato pesto adds a robust, tangy flavor that complements the other ingredients well.
pizza dough - Substitute with cauliflower crust: Cauliflower crust is a gluten-free alternative that provides a similar base for the pizza while adding a unique flavor.
pizza dough - Substitute with whole wheat pita bread: Whole wheat pita bread is a convenient and healthier option that can serve as a quick pizza base.
cherry tomatoes - Substitute with sundried tomatoes: Sundried tomatoes offer a concentrated, sweet-tart flavor that enhances the overall taste of the pizza.
cherry tomatoes - Substitute with roasted red peppers: Roasted red peppers provide a sweet and smoky flavor, adding a different but complementary taste to the pizza.
Other Alternative Recipes Similar to This Dish
How To Store / Freeze This Dish
Allow the pizza to cool completely before storing. This prevents condensation, which can make the crust soggy.
For short-term storage, place the pizza slices in an airtight container. Layer parchment paper between slices to prevent sticking. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
For longer storage, wrap individual slices tightly in plastic wrap, then place them in a resealable freezer bag. This method ensures the pizza stays fresh and avoids freezer burn. Freeze for up to 2 months.
When ready to enjoy, reheat refrigerated slices in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for about 10 minutes, or until the vegan mozzarella cheese is melted and bubbly. For a crispier crust, place the slices directly on the oven rack.
For frozen slices, thaw them in the refrigerator overnight. Reheat in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for 12-15 minutes. Alternatively, you can reheat directly from frozen, but increase the baking time to 20-25 minutes.
Avoid reheating pizza in the microwave, as it can make the crust chewy and the vegan mozzarella cheese rubbery. If you must use a microwave, place a cup of water in the microwave to help keep the pizza moist.
For a quick reheat, use a skillet on medium heat. Cover the skillet with a lid to help melt the vegan mozzarella cheese while keeping the crust crispy. Heat for about 5-7 minutes.
If you have leftover vegan chicken strips and cherry tomatoes, store them separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator. Use them within 3-4 days for best quality.
How To Reheat Leftovers
Oven Method:
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Place the leftover pizza on a baking sheet.
- Cover the pizza loosely with aluminum foil to prevent the vegan mozzarella cheese from drying out.
- Bake for 10-15 minutes, or until the crust is crispy and the cheese is melted.
- Remove from the oven and let it cool for a minute before enjoying.
Skillet Method:
- Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat.
- Place the leftover pizza in the skillet.
- Cover the skillet with a lid to help melt the vegan mozzarella cheese.
- Heat for 5-7 minutes, or until the crust is crispy and the cheese is melted.
- Remove from the skillet and serve hot.
Microwave Method:
- Place a microwave-safe plate in the microwave.
- Put a cup of water next to the pizza to keep it from drying out.
- Microwave on high for 1-2 minutes, checking every 30 seconds to ensure the cheese is melted and the crust is warm.
- Let it cool for a minute before eating.
Toaster Oven Method:
- Preheat your toaster oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Place the leftover pizza directly on the toaster oven rack or on a baking sheet.
- Heat for 5-10 minutes, or until the crust is crispy and the cheese is melted.
- Remove and let it cool slightly before serving.
Essential Tools for This Recipe
Oven: Used to bake the pizza at the specified temperature to achieve a golden crust and melted cheese.
Baking sheet: Provides a flat surface to roll out the pizza dough and bake the pizza.
Rolling pin: Helps in rolling out the pizza dough evenly on the baking sheet.
Spatula: Useful for spreading the vegan pesto evenly over the dough.
Knife: Used to halve the cherry tomatoes and slice the pizza once it's baked.
Cutting board: Provides a safe surface to cut the cherry tomatoes and other ingredients.
Measuring cups: Ensures accurate measurement of ingredients like vegan pesto and vegan mozzarella cheese.
Tablespoon: Used to measure the olive oil for drizzling over the pizza.
Oven mitts: Protects your hands when placing the pizza in the oven and removing it once baked.
Pizza cutter: Makes it easy to slice the pizza into even pieces after baking.
Serving plate: Used to serve the hot pizza once it is sliced.
How to Save Time on This Recipe
Pre-make the dough: Save time by preparing or purchasing pizza dough in advance.
Use store-bought pesto: Opt for a high-quality vegan pesto from the store to cut down on prep time.
Pre-cook the chicken strips: Cook the vegan chicken strips ahead of time and store them in the fridge.
Pre-slice toppings: Slice the cherry tomatoes and grate the vegan mozzarella cheese beforehand.
Assemble quickly: Lay out all ingredients before starting to assemble the pizza to streamline the process.
Chicken Pesto Pizza Recipe
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 unit Pizza Dough
- ½ cup Vegan Pesto
- 1 cup Vegan Chicken Strips
- 1 cup Cherry Tomatoes (halved)
- 1 cup Vegan Mozzarella Cheese
- 1 tablespoon Olive Oil
- to taste Salt and Pepper
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 450°F (230°C).
- Roll out the pizza dough on a baking sheet.
- Spread the vegan pesto evenly over the dough.
- Top with vegan chicken strips, cherry tomatoes, and vegan mozzarella cheese.
- Drizzle olive oil over the top and season with salt and pepper.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes or until the crust is golden and the cheese is melted.
- Remove from the oven, slice, and serve hot.
Nutritional Value
Keywords
Suggested Appetizers and Desserts for This Recipe
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