A large chicken pizza with creamy garlic sauce

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This Chicken Pizza with Creamy Garlic Sauce sure is a family pleaser! This is the white sauce pizza I promised you. This chicken Pizza will have everyone going back for seconds! I used the same crust as the California pizza.

You may have noticed my recipe posting is a little slow. Four classes in summer keeps me on my toes and the first two weeks of it have been a whirlwind. Hope you like the pizza – we sure did!

Ingredients for California Pizza Dough:

3/4 cup warm water
1 Tbsp active dry yeast
1/2 Tbsp honey
1 1/2 Tbsp olive oil
2 cups plus 2 Tbsp all-purpose flour
3/4 tsp salt

Ingredients for Creamy Garlic Pizza Sauce:

2 Tbsp butter
2 Tbsp flour
1 1/4 cup milk
1/4 tsp salt
1/8 tsp pepper
2-3 garlic cloves, minced
2 Tbsp fresh basil, finely chopped
1/4 cup parmesan cheese, shredded

Ingredients for Toppings (what I used):

Mozzarella cheese (12 slices or grated)
1 large chicken breast, sautéed and diced
2 medium tomatoes, diced
2 Tbsp basil, coarsely torn
5 medium mushrooms, sliced

How to Make California Pizza Dough:

Making pizza dough in a bread-maker makes it sooo easy!

1. Add water and yeast and let it stand a few minutes.

Yeast in a bread mixer

2. Add the remaining dough ingredients in the bread-maker in the order they are listed and put it on the dough setting.

pizza dough being mixed in a bread mixer

Pizza and Kitchen

Mine takes about an hour. The dough will be sticky and it will be easy to work with once it’s oiled.

Using a mixer or kneading by hand:

Put 3/4 cup warm water in a large bowl, add 1 Tbsp of dry yeast and let stand for a few minutes. Add 1/2 Tbsp honey and 1 1/2 Tbsp olive oil. Add 2 cups plus 2 Tbsp flour, then the 3/4 tsp salt and mix until well-combined (use a dough hook on speed 2 with a mixer).
The dough should be sticky. Cover with plastic wrap and leave in a warm place until doubled in volume.

Prep the Sauce while the dough is rising since it will need time to cool down:

1. Melt 2 Tbsp butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in 2 Tbsp flour until well mixed.

Two photos of flour and butter being whisked

2. Gradually whisk in 1 1/4 cup milk. Next, add 1/4 tsp salt, 1/8 tsp pepper, 2-3 cloves minced garlic and 2 Tbsp fresh basil.

Three photos one of garlic being minced and two of basil leaves being cut

3. Mix in 1/4 cup parmesan cheese and stir until the cheese has melted and the sauce is well blended.

Two photos of creamy garlic sauce being made

4. Remove from heat. It will thicken more as it stands.

Once the dough is ready:

Preheat the Oven to 425 ˚ F.

1. Drizzle another 2 Tbsp oil onto a large baking sheet. Transfer the dough onto the large oiled baking sheet and turn it a couple of times to make sure the dough is covered in oil.

Pizza dough sitting on a wooden cutting board

2. Roll the dough out in the large cookie sheet. (I use my handy Chef Roller for this job. It saves a potentially messy step (transferring the dough after it’s rolled out) and you don’t have to clean your counter tops afterwards.

Pizza dough being rolled out on a baking pan

3. Start by spreading on the white pizza sauce. Next, spread on the cheese, chicken, tomatoes, mushrooms and basil.

Four photos of the process to make a chicken pizza with creamy garlic sauce

4. Bake at 425 ˚ F for 13-14 minutes or until the crust is crisp and toppings are cooked. Set the oven to Broil and bake another 2 minutes or until cheese begins to golden.

A close up of a chicken pizza with creamy garlic sauce

Now, marvel at your masterpiece! Your family will be so impressed and it’s really easy.

Chicken Pizza with Creamy Garlic Sauce

5 from 20 votes
Author: Natasha of NatashasKitchen.com
Prep Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes

Ingredients 

Servings: 1 extra large pizza

Ingredients for California Pizza Dough:

Ingredients for Creamy Garlic Pizza Sauce:

  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 2 tbsp flour
  • 1 1/4 cup milk
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1/8 tsp pepper
  • 2-3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 tbsp fresh basil, finely chopped
  • 1/4 cup parmesan cheese, shredded

Ingredients for Toppings (what I used):

  • Mozzarella cheese, 12 slices or grated
  • 1 large chicken breast, sautéed and diced
  • 2 medium tomatoes, diced
  • 2 tbsp basil, coarsely torn
  • 5 medium mushrooms, sliced

Instructions

  • Add water and yeast to the bread maker and let it stand a few minutes.
  • Add the remaining dough ingredients in the bread-maker in the order they are listed and put it on the dough setting.
  • The dough will be sticky and it will be easy to work with once it's oiled.

Using a mixer or kneading by hand: Put warm water in a large bowl, add the yeast and let stand for a few minutes. Add honey and olive oil. Add flour, then the salt and mix until well-combined (use a dough hook on speed 2 with a mixer).

  • The dough should be sticky. Cover with plastic wrap and leave in a warm place until doubled in volume.

Prep the Sauce while the dough is rising since it will need time to cool down:

  • Melt butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in flour until well mixed.
  • Gradually whisk in milk.
  • Add salt, pepper, garlic and basil.
  • Mix in Parmesan cheese and stir until the cheese has melted and the sauce is well blended.
  • Remove from heat. It will thicken more as it stands.

Once the dough is ready: Preheat the Oven to 425°F.

  • Drizzle another 2 tbsp oil onto a large baking sheet. Transfer the dough onto the large oiled baking sheet and turn it a couple of times to make sure the dough is covered in oil.
  • Roll the dough out in the large cookie sheet.
  • Spread on the white pizza sauce.
  • Spread on the cheese, chicken, tomatoes, mushrooms and basil.
  • Bake at 425°F for 13-14 minutes or until the crust is crisp and toppings are cooked. Set the oven to Broil and bake another 2 minutes or until cheese begins to golden.
Course: Lunch, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Italian
Keyword: Chicken Pizza with Creamy Garlic Sauce
Skill Level: Medium
Cost to Make: $
Natasha's Kitchen Cookbook

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5 from 20 votes (2 ratings without comment)

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Recipe Rating




Comments

  • Anna
    February 18, 2017

    If I don’t have fresh basil can I sub it with dried basil ? And would I add the same amount ?

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      February 19, 2017

      Hi Anna, the normal substitution ratio is 1 tsp of dried basil for 1 Tbsp of fresh. I think I would start at 1 tsp and add more to taste using dried basil.

      Reply

  • Tzivia
    August 16, 2016

    Wow yummmmo gotta try this recipe sometime gurl always wanted to make my own homemade pizza just need more flour I see that you put sliced mozzarella cheese and I also have shredded which works best can’t wait to make this thanx lots for always keeping me motivated to cook and bake hun

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      August 16, 2016

      Thanks Tzivia! It is a fun and easy way to add cheese 🙂

      Reply

      • Tzivia
        August 17, 2016

        Cool awesome hot sauce lol only thing is I’ll add extra mushrooms in place of the chicken since I can’t mix milk and meat but still well done hun beautiful edible masterpiece need a chef roller too and possibly cookie sheets and then I think I’m all set cheers

        Reply

  • Lily
    December 31, 2015

    Hi! How long does it take for the dough to double in volume If using by hand method? Thanks!

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      December 31, 2015

      Hi Lily, it really depends on how warm your room is where it’s rising. If you put it in a 100˚ oven (if your oven has a proof mode), it will take the same amount of time as the bread maker. It can take 1 to 1 1/2 hours at room temperature.

      Reply

  • Nadia
    December 17, 2015

    This is so very good! thank you for the recipe and step by step instructions!

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      December 17, 2015

      Thanks Nadia! I’m so happy you liked it 🙂

      Reply

  • Lacey
    September 20, 2015

    Hi there! I’m going to attempt to make this tonight but we don’t have honey on hand for the dough, can we substitute any other kind of sugar for the honey? This looks absolutely divine! Can’t wait to try it out!

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      September 20, 2015

      I’ve only made it with honey, but it should still work well with 1/2 Tbsp granulated sugar.

      Reply

      • Lacey
        September 21, 2015

        Thank you! I ended up making it with honey, i have to say, it was the best pizza i think I’ve ever had!! My 1.5 year old and 3.5 year old definitely approved and my husband was blown away! Thank you for the recipe! A keeper for sure!

        Reply

        • Natasha
          natashaskitchen
          September 21, 2015

          Thank you for such a great review Lacey and you are very welcome :D.

          Reply

  • Vitaliya
    July 13, 2015

    Hi! I thought I commented asking you a question but I don’t see the comment so i’ll comment again. (sorry if there is a double comment of the same thing) How long does you dough usually rise for when done by hand? Approx. 2 hours?

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      July 13, 2015

      It should be about an hour if you keep it in a warm place. You can also set it in a 100˚F oven if you have a proofing option.

      Reply

  • Anita
    April 7, 2015

    Delicious, I made 2 and nobody could stop eating it! The two pizzas were gone in seconds! The best I have ever tasted! Thank you sooo much!! I honestly love your web site it is the best and thank you again!!

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      April 7, 2015

      Anita, thank you for such a great review and you are welcome :).

      Reply

  • olga
    February 16, 2015

    Hi Natasha, ietting better working with yeast dough. i got my self a bread machine but the dough will not rise is it cause i didn’t turn it on first? Natasha if doing the dough in a bowl & putting it in the oven my lowest temp is 170 deg. so can i put the bowl frist then turn it on so i dont loose the temp?

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      February 16, 2015

      Did you put the dough in the bread machine on the dough setting? Normally, the dough cycle will allow for rising time inside the breadmachine. If you went through the dough cycle and it didn’t rise, it’s possible the water you put in was too hot and deactivated the yeast or maybe the yeast was old?

      If your lowest oven temp is 170˚F, that is too hot for a yeast dough. I wouldn’t put it in an oven that was hotter than 100˚F or it deactivates the yeast if it gets too hot and your dough will be ruined. My previous oven was the same way and I had to get creative. I turned on the oven to 170 then turned it off, propped the oven door open with a wooden spoon and set the dough over a towel inside the oven to rise. You don’t want the bowl sitting over racks in the oven that are too hot. I hope that helps!

      Reply

      • Kseniya
        March 2, 2016

        I used to do that until i forgot one time and ruined my favorile bowl..the sun works best but if its a gloomy day i turn on my little toaster oven and set the dough in bowl wrapped in large towel on top of it.

        Reply

  • yana
    January 6, 2015

    I made this pizza for dinner today and it’s the best pizza I have ever made! My family loved it! I will definitely make it again!

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      January 6, 2015

      I’m so happy to hear that! Thank you Yana 🙂

      Reply

  • olya
    June 11, 2014

    I loved this recipe!! The best pizza I’ve ever tried! my husband couldn’t stop eating it 😉 Thank you. 🙂

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      June 11, 2014

      What a fantastic review! Thank you, thank you! 🙂

      Reply

  • Olesya
    June 4, 2014

    Made this tonight! Loooove it! My husband loves it too. Thank you for such an easy recipe:)

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      June 4, 2014

      Oooh awesome!!! I’m so happy you and your Mr. both liked it 🙂 Thanks for a great review!

      Reply

  • Irina Tretnikova
    March 1, 2014

    Hi Natasha! What brand of cheese would you reccomend for this pizza?

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      March 1, 2014

      I used “Frigo” part skim Mozzarella cheese from Costco which worked out great :).

      Reply

  • Marina
    February 8, 2014

    Hi Natasha, does the dough need to rise after using a bread maker?

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      February 8, 2014

      You don’t need to let it rise if it’s been through the bread maker on the dough setting. You only need to let it rise if it’s done by hand 🙂

      Reply

  • Galina
    January 27, 2014

    Best homemade pizza! It was gone very quick! Even 1-year old liked the crust! Loved this white sauce!
    Natasha, I should say that I cooked many dishes from your site and there were nothing that we didn’t like! Everything turns out delicious!!! Thanks!

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      January 27, 2014

      Galina, your comment is music to my ears :D, I’m happy to get 1-year old’s approval.

      Reply

  • Ken Reichert
    December 5, 2013

    That is things by the way, oops! What can I say, I’m a guy…

    Reply

  • Ken Reichert
    December 5, 2013

    Hey, I am a 45 yr old disabled Vet. My amazing wife is the bread winner now so I do what I can with the rest of life’s Lil stuff to make thongs easy on her. She loves pizza in general. This recipe reallyput a smile on her face..! Thank you

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      December 5, 2013

      That’s so sweet 🙂 thank you so much for sharing your story with me 🙂

      Reply

  • Aya
    November 24, 2013

    I just made this tonight and my husband said it was delicious like gourmet pizza!!! Thank you!! We love it so much!!

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      November 24, 2013

      That’s awesome!! I’m so glad you enjoyed it 🙂

      Reply

  • Yelena
    September 10, 2013

    Looks delicious, want to give it a try today!:) but one question…did you cook the chicken and with what spices??

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      September 10, 2013

      It was just sauteed in olive oil with salt and pepper. You can add some Mrs. Dash or whatever seasoning you have if you like. 🙂

      Reply

  • Taneika
    August 1, 2013

    I’m totally making this for dinner. And… I’m gonna blog about it 🙂

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      August 1, 2013

      I would love to hear the results :).

      Reply

  • Liz
    July 24, 2013

    SO good!! Best homemade pizza I’ve ever had!!

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      July 24, 2013

      Awww, that’s awesome!! I’m so glad you enjoyed the recipe 🙂

      Reply

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