Food Network Scholar: Chicken Pesto Pizza

Television Feasts

I am a home cook who backyard gardens and has a serious closet addiction to the Food Network. I envision visiting the world in my own kitchen.

From Julia to Giada, I am a bi-product of the quirky world of anything food television. At age 10 I wanted to lunch with Julia; at 12 I thought sitting at Graham Kerr's table would be bliss; in college I was a diligent voyeur student of Jeff Smith's; and as a newlywed I envisioned myself being Martha. Then the sky opened up and violin music played in the background when I discovered an entire family of food shows on the blossoming food network. Twenty years later I am still a home chef with a backyard garden, yet in my head I am a trained chef who has eaten her way around the world, tasted all things exotic, competed in many challenges, judged the best of the best, and have a circle of friends which includes Emeril, Bobby, Rachael and more. I like to learn and challenge myself simply for the pleasure of all things food. I am a student of the University of Food Network and my textbooks, exams and extra-curricular activities all stem from channel 39.

Friday, May 9, 2014

Chicken Pesto Pizza

Junk Food Friday really didn't have anything relaxing about it tonight. I tackled Spring Cleaning and once you start....you know the drill, you get part way done and say to yourself, :Oh, sh#&, I don't feel like finishing this." But, I started with the bedroom and I had to sleep somewhere. So, I did make a pizza in honor of Junk Food Friday; but, it didn't involve a movie or anything. However, I am listening to the Pittsburgh Pens playoff game; and channel flipping to the Pirates. Neither are adding to the excitement of a Friday Night :(

Chicken Pesto Pizza
printable recipe

1 Pizza Dough recipe
1 Grilled Chicken Breast, sliced thin
1/2 red pepper cut in thin strips
2 cloves garlic, minced
olive oil
1/2 c. pesto
1/4 c. grated Parmesan
1-1/2 c. shredded mozzarella cheese
1/4 c. chopped fresh basil

*I added some grated fontina and thin sliced mushrooms because I had them!

Follow the pizza dough recipe. After you have baked teh shell for 10 minutes, remove from oven and add brush with olive oil and sprinkle with the minced garlic.