Chicken Pizza with Caramelized Red Onion
This delightful Chicken Pizza with Caramelized Red Onion recipe brings together savory grilled chicken, sweet caramelized onions, and a zesty homemade pizza sauce, all atop a crispy and soft pizza crust. Perfect for a weekend gathering with friends or family, this pizza combines the rich flavors of well-seasoned chicken and sweet onions, making it a true crowd-pleaser. The addition of mozzarella cheese gives it a wonderfully creamy texture, while fresh basil leaves add a refreshing finish.
Ingredients:
For the Pizza Dough:
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Whole wheat flour | 1 cup |
| All-purpose flour (Maida) | 1 cup |
| Extra virgin olive oil | 2 tablespoons (plus extra as needed) |
| Active dry yeast | 2 teaspoons |
| Honey | 2 tablespoons |
| Salt | 1 teaspoon |
| Lukewarm water | As required |
For the Pizza Sauce:
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Homemade tomato puree | 2 cups |
| Onion (chopped) | 1 medium |
| Garlic (chopped) | 4 cloves |
| Dried thyme leaves | 1 teaspoon |
| Red chili flakes | 1 teaspoon |
| Tabasco Original Hot Sauce | 1 teaspoon |
| Sugar | 1 teaspoon |
| Salt | To taste |
| Fresh basil (chopped) | To taste |
For the Caramelized Onions:
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Onions (sliced) | 4 medium |
| Sugar | 1 tablespoon |
| Vinegar | 1 tablespoon |
| Extra virgin olive oil | As needed for caramelizing |
For the Grilled Chicken:
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Chicken breasts (cut into small pieces) | 100 grams |
| Dried thyme leaves | 1 tablespoon |
| Black pepper powder | 1 tablespoon |
| Salt | To taste |
| Extra virgin olive oil | As needed for cooking |
For Topping:
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Mozzarella cheese (grated) | 1/2 cup |
Preparation Time:
- Prep Time: 120 minutes
- Cook Time: 60 minutes
- Total Time: 180 minutes
Servings:
- Serves: 4 people
Cuisine:
- Cuisine: Italian
Course:
- Course: Lunch
Diet:
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Instructions:
To Make the Pizza Dough:
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the whole wheat flour, all-purpose flour, active dry yeast, salt, and honey. Stir the mixture to combine evenly.
- Gradually add lukewarm water and knead the dough until it forms a soft and smooth texture. Drizzle olive oil over the dough and knead for an additional 5 minutes until it becomes soft and elastic.
- Cover the dough with a clean kitchen towel and let it rise in a warm place for about 2 hours, or until it doubles in size.
To Make the Pizza Sauce:
- In a saucepan, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped garlic and sauté for a few seconds until fragrant.
- Add the chopped onions and cook until they soften and become translucent.
- Stir in the homemade tomato puree, dried thyme leaves, red chili flakes, Tabasco sauce, sugar, and salt. Simmer the mixture for 15-20 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken and develop flavor.
- Taste the sauce and adjust the seasonings as needed. Stir in fresh basil leaves and set the sauce aside.
To Make the Caramelized Onions:
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the sliced onions along with sugar and vinegar, stirring to combine.
- Reduce the heat to low and allow the onions to cook slowly. Stir occasionally as they caramelize, turning golden brown and softening to a sweet, rich texture. This process should take 20 to 30 minutes, depending on the quantity of onions used.
To Make the Grilled Chicken:
- In a bowl, combine the chopped chicken pieces, olive oil, salt, sugar, dried thyme, and black pepper. Toss well to coat the chicken evenly and let it marinate for about 20 minutes.
- Heat a grill pan over medium heat and lightly brush it with olive oil. Place the marinated chicken on the grill and cook for about 3 minutes per side, or until the chicken is just cooked through.
- Alternatively, you can cook the chicken in a skillet if a grill pan is unavailable. Once cooked, set the chicken aside.
To Assemble the Chicken Pizza with Caramelized Red Onion:
- Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F).
- Divide the risen pizza dough into two portions. Dust the dough with flour and roll each portion into a circle approximately 8 inches in diameter, or to your preferred thickness.
- Transfer the rolled dough to a pizza sheet or stone. Spread a layer of the prepared pizza sauce evenly over the dough.
- Add the caramelized onions on top of the sauce, followed by the grilled chicken. Drizzle grated mozzarella cheese generously over the toppings.
- Place the pizza in the oven and bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese has melted and bubbly.
- Once baked, remove the pizza from the oven and garnish with freshly chopped basil leaves or arugula for an added touch of freshness.
To Serve:
Serve your Chicken Pizza with Caramelized Red Onion alongside Garlic Bread with Herb Butter and a refreshing Summer Salad with Goat Cream Cheese, Apricots, and Raspberry Dressing for a complete and indulgent meal. This dish is perfect for a special weekend dinner with friends and family.
Pro Tips:
- Dough Tips: Letting the dough rise for the full two hours ensures a light and airy crust. If you’re short on time, you can also refrigerate the dough overnight and let it rise slowly in the fridge.
- Chicken Tips: Marinating the chicken for even 20 minutes helps infuse the meat with flavor. Don’t overcook the chicken, as it will continue cooking in the oven while the pizza bakes.
- Caramelizing Onions: Be patient when caramelizing the onions. The longer you cook them, the sweeter and richer they become. Make sure to stir them frequently to prevent burning.
Enjoy this flavorful Chicken Pizza with Caramelized Red Onion and elevate your pizza night with a mix of savory, sweet, and spicy notes that will tantalize your taste buds!
