Preheat oven to 500°F (260°C) with a pizza stone or an inverted baking sheet inside. If using active dough, stretch or roll dough on a lightly floured surface to a 12-inch round. Transfer to a piece of parchment for easy transfer.

Brush outer 1/2-inch rim of the dough lightly with 1 tablespoon olive oil to promote browning.

White Garlic Sauce

make the sauce

In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt 2 tbs butter. Whisk in 1 tbs flour and cook 30–45 seconds until bubbly but not browned to make a roux.

Slowly whisk in 1 cup milk until smooth. Add 3 tsp minced garlic and simmer gently, stirring, 2–3 minutes until slightly thickened.

Turn heat to low. Whisk in 2 tbs softened cream cheese until melted and smooth, then stir in 1 cup grated Parmesan until combined. Season with 1 tsp salt, 1 tsp black pepper and 1 tsp lemon juice. Adjust thickness with a tablespoon of milk if needed. Remove from heat and set aside.

Halal Garlic Chicken

season and cook chicken

Toss 12 oz diced halal chicken with 1 tbs olive oil, 2 tsp minced garlic, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp dried oregano, 1 tsp salt and 1 tsp black pepper. Let sit 5–10 minutes if time allows.

Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken and cook, stirring occasionally, 5–7 minutes until cooked through and lightly browned. Remove from heat and set aside to cool slightly. Reserve any pan juices for a light brush on crust if desired.

Toppings

assemble pizza

Spread an even layer of the warm (not boiling) white garlic sauce over the dough, leaving the oiled rim exposed. Sprinkle 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella evenly over the sauce.

Distribute the cooked halal garlic chicken evenly over the cheese. Scatter 1 cup sliced mushrooms, thin slices of 1 small red onion, 1 medium seeded and thinly sliced tomato, and 2 tbs thinly sliced light jalapenos across the pizza.

Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup mozzarella and the white parts of 4 sliced green onions on top.

Bake & Finish

bake

Slide the pizza (on the parchment) onto the preheated stone or baking sheet. Bake at 500°F (260°C) for 8–12 minutes, rotating halfway, until crust is golden and cheese is bubbling and lightly browned.

Remove pizza from oven. Sprinkle green parts of the sliced green onions and 1 tbs chopped parsley across the pizza. Drizzle 1 tsp extra virgin olive oil and sprinkle 1 tsp crushed red pepper flakes to taste.

Let pizza rest 2–3 minutes, slice into 6–8 pieces and serve hot.