Chicken Parmigiana Pizza

It is Junk Food Friday!  The night for goo, crunch and decadent YUM!  I have yet to go to the store this week so I needed to assess and come up with an idea with what I had on hand.  I had chopped chicken leftover from last night that I could use for my protein.  I pulled some staples from the pantry and the fridge and visited my friend Rachael's website!  I swear Rachael Ray has more ideas on combinations to top a pizza!
I have making homemade pizza dough down pat.  Feel free to use frozen dough or boxed dough.  Whatever you are most comfortable doing.  I want to share with you the pizza dough I have used for 35 years.  Very easy, incredibly inexpensive and tastes fresh baked! I encourage you to try it at least once.

Pizza Crust-hang on to this one, I use it all the time!
printable recipe

1 c. lukewarm water
1 package active dry yeast (or 2 1/4 tsp. bread yeast)
2 tsp. sugar
1 T. vegetable oil
1/2 tsp. salt
2 1/2 c. flour

Place water, yeast, sugar, oil and salt in a bowl. (I actually use a glass measuring cup to mix it in, I hate to do dishes).
Measure flour and salt into a bowl. Pour in the wet ingredients and mix with a fork.  When it starts to pull together, mix and knead with your hands.  You will feel it begin to change consistency.  It will be sticky.  Knead into a ball.  Place the ball of dough in a buttered bowl.  Cover with a towel and allow to rise.  I put my warmer burner on today to set the bowl on.  My kitchen was cold.

When the dough doubles in size, about 20 minutes, punch down and allow to rise a second time. (sorry I forgot to take photos of the dough steps, it was a multi-tasking afternoon)
Preheat oven to 425°

Spread a little cornmeal on a sheet pan or pizza stone.  Stretch you dough into the desired shape.
Drizzle with olive oil.  Bake 10 minutes.

Top with your choice of toppings and bake 20 minutes more.

Chicken Parmigiana Pizza
printable recipe

1 Prepared Pizza Crust
Pizza Sauce-because this was a pantry put together, I used a jar of sauce.  We have an amazing Italian store in our area that has grown their grocery business from a small neighborhood market to nationally recognized products.  Look for the Delallo's brand..so delicious!
2 c. chopped cooked chicken
2 cloves of minced garlic
2 T. minced onion
2 tsp. olive oil.
1 small can sliced mushrooms
1 tsp. crushed red pepper
Dried Italian Seasoning
6 oz. shredded mozzarella
3/4 c. grated parmesan
(I would have used a half of a cup chopped green pepper had I had one on hand!)

Saute the garlic and onion in olive oil.

Stir in the crushed red pepper. Add the chicken and mushrooms and heat through.

Spread sauce on partially cooked pizza dough (see above).

Spread on onion, garlic, chicken and mushroom mixture.

Sprinkle with Seasoning.
Top with mozzarella and parmesan cheese.

Bake for 20 minutes at 425°

We kicked back with our pizza and a great bottle of Merlot. There was little clean up and the meal was a great start to a casual weekend!
This finishes month one, 11 to go!  I hope you have enjoyed, and perhaps have been inspired to try your hand at something new!