Transform your weeknight meals with this incredible Five-Ingredient Chicken Pesto Pizza, generously topped with vibrant fresh tomatoes. You won’t believe how easily this gourmet-tasting pizza comes together, ready to savor in just twenty minutes from start to finish!
Effortless Gourmet: Simple Chicken Pesto Pizza in 20 Minutes
Imagine indulging in a pizza so flavorful, so perfectly crafted, that it tastes like it came straight from a high-end pizzeria. Now, imagine achieving that culinary feat in under 20 minutes with only five core ingredients! This Simple Chicken Pesto Pizza is your new secret weapon for busy weeknights, spontaneous gatherings, or those long, lazy weekends when you crave something extraordinary without the extensive effort.
Life is hectic, and finding time to prepare wholesome, delicious meals can often feel like an insurmountable challenge. That’s where this recipe shines. It allows you to create an impressive dish that feels like you spent hours toiling in the kitchen, when in reality, you simply assembled a few quality components and let your oven do the rest. This isn’t just a recipe; it’s a time-saving marvel that delivers maximum flavor with minimal fuss. Your guests will be amazed, your family will be delighted, and your secret to effortless gourmet dining will remain safe with me!
SOME OF THE ITEMS BELOW CONTAIN AFFILIATE LINKS; I AM A PARTICIPANT IN THE AMAZON SERVICES LLC ASSOCIATES PROGRAM, AN AFFILIATE ADVERTISING PROGRAM DESIGNED TO PROVIDE A MEANS FOR US TO EARN FEES BY LINKING TO AMAZON.COM AND AFFILIATED SITES. I AM ALSO AN AFFILIATE FOR OTHER BRANDS. HOWEVER, I ONLY PROMOTE THINGS THAT I LOVE AND THINK YOU WILL LOVE, TOO. FOR MY ENTIRE DISCLOSURE POLICY PLEASE CLICK HERE.
The Power of 5 Key Ingredients for Your Pesto Chicken Pizza
While the allure of a completely from-scratch pizza is undeniable, sometimes convenience is king. This recipe champions smart shortcuts without compromising on taste. Why spend hours making homemade pizza dough, whipping up fresh pesto, or cooking chicken from raw when you can achieve a phenomenal result with readily available, high-quality ingredients?
Our simple yet incredibly scrumptious journey begins with a store-purchased pizza crust. This foundation is a true time-saver. You have options: opt for the refrigerated dough found in your grocery store’s dairy section, which rolls out effortlessly, or choose a boxed mix that simply requires adding water and a quick knead. Both provide a perfect canvas for our delightful toppings, allowing you to focus on flavor rather than fermentation. For this particular recipe, a boxed mix was chosen, proving that pantry staples can lead to extraordinary meals.
The remaining stars of our 5-ingredient cast elevate this pizza to gourmet status. We select a fresh ball of mozzarella cheese, known for its creamy texture and superior melt. Its mild flavor perfectly complements the more robust pesto. Next, a juicy rotisserie chicken from the deli counter provides savory, pre-cooked protein, eliminating an entire cooking step. A jar of high-quality garlic basil pesto brings vibrant, aromatic flavor, forming the backbone of the pizza’s distinctive taste. Finally, two ripe Roma tomatoes, sliced thinly, add a burst of freshness, color, and a delicate acidity that cuts through the richness of the cheese and pesto.
Each ingredient is carefully chosen for its contribution to a harmonious, delicious, and astonishingly quick meal. This thoughtful selection allows for maximum impact with minimum fuss, demonstrating that gourmet doesn’t always mean complicated.
Inspired by the Easy Chicken Cookbook by Sheila Thigpen
While I’d love to claim full credit for this sensational pesto chicken pizza recipe, its brilliance was discovered within the pages of a fantastic new cookbook. This ingenious creation comes from my dear friend and fellow food blogger, Sheila Thigpen. Her culinary expertise shines through in every recipe.
A Look Back: The Easy Chicken Cookbook Giveaway
Simple Chicken Pesto Pizza: Step-by-Step Preparation for Perfection
Crafting this delightful pizza is truly as easy as pie, or perhaps even easier! Follow these straightforward steps to achieve a perfectly golden crust, melty cheese, and a harmonious blend of flavors:
- **Prepare Your Crust and Oven:** Begin by preheating your oven to 425°F (220°C). This ensures your pizza cooks quickly and evenly, resulting in a perfectly crispy crust. While the oven heats, lightly spray a 12-inch pizza pan with a non-stick cooking spray to prevent sticking. Carefully roll out your store-bought refrigerated or boxed pizza dough onto the prepared pan. To prevent large bubbles and ensure a crispier base, lightly poke the dough all over with a fork. Pre-bake the crust for 5 minutes; this crucial step helps the crust become firm and prevents it from becoming soggy under the pesto and toppings.
- **Spread the Pesto Base:** Once your crust is lightly pre-baked, remove it from the oven. Evenly spread a generous layer of garlic basil pesto sauce over the entire surface of the crust, leaving a small border for the edges. If your pesto seems a bit thick and challenging to spread, a small drizzle of olive oil stirred into it will help achieve a smoother consistency. This foundational layer infuses every bite with vibrant, herbaceous flavor.
- **Layer the Fresh Mozzarella:** Next, arrange your sliced fresh mozzarella cheese evenly over the pesto. The fresh mozzarella will melt beautifully, creating a creamy, delectable layer that is characteristic of a gourmet pizza. Distribute the slices to ensure cheese in every bite.
- **Add the Rotisserie Chicken:** Scatter the shredded rotisserie chicken over the mozzarella. Rotisserie chicken is a fantastic shortcut, providing pre-cooked, seasoned meat that’s ready to go. This also makes it an excellent recipe for using up any leftover cooked chicken you might have on hand.
- **Place the Roma Tomatoes:** Carefully place the sliced Roma tomatoes on top of the chicken and cheese. Their vibrant color and fresh, slightly sweet acidity add a delightful contrast to the rich pesto and savory chicken.
- **Optional Pesto Drizzle & Olive Oil:** For an extra layer of flavor and a beautiful finish, drizzle a little more pesto sauce over the tomatoes. Additionally, if desired, brush a light amount of olive oil over the exposed crust edges before baking; this helps achieve a golden, crispy crust.
- **Bake to Perfection:** Return your assembled pizza to the preheated oven. Bake for approximately 13 minutes, or until the cheese is gloriously melted and bubbly, and the crust has turned a golden brown. Keep an eye on it to prevent over-baking.
- **Slice and Serve:** Once baked, carefully remove the pizza from the oven. Allow it to cool for a minute or two before slicing into wedges. Serve piping hot and enjoy!
This recipe is incredibly versatile. While rotisserie chicken is ideal for convenience, feel free to use any leftover cooked chicken you have. For a delicious meatless option, simply omit the chicken altogether; the pizza will still be magnificent, especially if you add other vegetables like quartered artichoke hearts or sautéed mushrooms. You can also elevate the cheese factor with a sprinkle of fresh Parmesan before serving. If you’re lucky enough to have homegrown tomatoes, any variety, from heirloom to sweet cherry tomatoes (halved), would be fantastic. This chicken pesto pizza also makes an incredible base for a quick flatbread or lavash. The next time I prepare this, I plan to add a generous sprinkling of fresh basil leaves just before serving to enhance its aromatic appeal.
Do You Love Pizza as Much as We Do?
Pizza holds a special place in our hearts, and I’m always eager to explore new and exciting ways to enjoy it! While everyone has their cherished classic toppings—mine will forever be hamburger and mushroom—there’s an exhilarating joy in venturing beyond the traditional. This Simple Chicken Pesto Pizza is a testament to that adventurous spirit, showing how easily you can create something fresh and gourmet.
If you’re like me and love getting creative with your pies, or simply looking for inspiration to shake up your pizza night, you’re in the right place! We frequently experiment with different flavor combinations and pizza-inspired dishes at our house. Here are some of our family’s favorite, inventive ways to enjoy pizza beyond the classic pepperoni and cheese:
- Reuben Pizza: A delightful fusion that brings the classic deli sandwich to pizza form.
- Buffalo Chicken Pizza: Spicy, savory, and undeniably addictive—perfect for game day.
- Spinach Artichoke Alfredo Pizza: A creamy, rich, and sophisticated option that’s always a hit.
- Pizza Meatloaf Minis: A fun, kid-friendly twist on two beloved comfort foods.
- Open-Faced Pizza Burgers: The best of both worlds—juicy burgers topped with classic pizza flavors.
- Hashbrown Breakfast Pizza: Start your day deliciously with a hearty and unique breakfast creation.
- Pizza Monster Sandwiches: A cheesy, gooey, and satisfying sandwich with all your favorite pizza elements.
- Pizza Dip with Garlic Bread Toasts: The ultimate appetizer for sharing, packed with pizza goodness.
- Copy Cat Taco Bell Mexican Pizza: Recreate a fast-food favorite at home with impressive results.
Whether you’re sticking to the classics or embarking on a culinary adventure, pizza always brings joy. This Chicken Pesto Pizza is just the beginning of many delicious explorations!
Love This Recipe? Pin It for Later!
If you’re as excited as we are to give this delectable Chicken Pesto Pizza a try – don’t let this amazing recipe get lost in the digital ether! Be sure to save it to your favorite Pinterest recipe board before you navigate away. It’s the perfect way to keep this quick, easy, and gourmet meal idea handy for your next busy weeknight or casual weekend gathering. Happy pinning!
Ready to create your own twenty-minute gourmet masterpiece? Let’s dive into the full recipe details! 
LIKE THIS RECIPE?
Don’t forget to give it a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ star rating and
leave a comment below the recipe!
Print Recipe
Simple Chicken Pesto Pizza
Ingredients
- 1 refrigerated pizza crust OR prepared box mix
- 1/3 cup Garlic Basil Pesto Sauce, plus more for drizzling
- 1 8 ounce ball fresh mozzarella cheese, sliced
- 2 Roma tomatoes sliced
- 1 1/2 cups shredded rotisserie chicken
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees and spray a 12″ pizza pan with non-stick cooking spray.
- Roll pizza dough out onto prepared pizza pan, poke holes in it with a fork. Prebake for 5 minutes.
- While the crust is pre-baking, slice your cheese and tomatoes.
- Top crust with pesto sauce. I thinned mine a bit with olive oil to help it spread a little better.
- Add slices of cheese, then shredded chicken. Top with tomatoes and drizzle with more pesto sauce.
- Bake for about 13 minutes, or until cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Slice and serve hot.