Mazzio's - Pizza Topping: Chicken Recipe

Slice and Pound

Trim any fat from the chicken breasts and slice them into thin strips about 1/4" thick. If breasts are uneven, gently pound between plastic wrap to even thickness so they cook uniformly.

Make the Marinade

In a bowl combine 2 tbs olive oil, 1 tbs lemon juice, 1 tsp minced garlic, 1 tsp dried oregano, 1 tsp dried basil, 1 tsp onion powder, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 3 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper and 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes if using. Whisk until blended.

Marinate Chicken

Add the sliced chicken to the marinade and toss to coat thoroughly. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes and up to 4 hours. (If short on time, let sit 15 minutes at room temperature.)

Cook the Chicken

Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat until hot. Add a light coating of neutral oil or a quick spray. Add the marinated chicken in a single layer (work in batches if necessary) and cook 2–3 minutes per side until internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) and juices run clear. Avoid overcooking — chicken should be cooked through but still moist.

Shred or Chop

Remove cooked chicken to a plate and let rest 3–5 minutes. Chop or shred into bite-sized pieces suitable for a pizza topping (roughly 1/2" pieces). Reserve any pan juices and discard solids; you may toss a teaspoon of the juices with the chicken for extra flavor.

Preheat and Prepare Crust

Preheat oven to 475°F (245°C) with a pizza stone or baking sheet inside if available. If using store-bought dough, roll or stretch to a 12" round on a lightly floured surface. Transfer to a piece of parchment or a floured pizza peel. If using a pre-baked crust, place it on a baking sheet.

Sauce and Cheese

Spread 1/2 cup pizza or barbecue sauce evenly over the dough leaving a 1/2" border. Sprinkle 1.5 cups shredded mozzarella evenly over the sauce, leaving a little space for the crust.

Top with Chicken

Distribute the chopped/shredded cooked chicken evenly over the cheese. If you like a stronger flavor, toss the chicken with 1–2 tsp extra sauce before adding. Sprinkle 1/4 cup grated Parmesan over the top.

Bake

Slide the pizza onto the preheated stone or place the baking sheet in the oven. Bake 10–12 minutes, or until crust is golden and cheese is bubbling and slightly browned. Baking time may vary by oven and thickness of crust; watch closely after 8 minutes.

Finish and Serve

Remove pizza from oven. Brush the crust lightly with 1 tsp olive oil. Scatter fresh basil leaves over the top if using, slice into 8 slices and serve hot.