Meta Description: This basil pesto chicken pizza is a delicious alternative to a classic. Our recipe guides you through making homemade pesto, perfectly cooked chicken, and a flavorful pizza that’s perfect for a weeknight dinner.
I’ll never forget the night I first stumbled upon this pizza combination. It was a Friday, and my roommates and I were tired of the usual delivery options. We’d eaten enough pepperoni and Hawaiian to last a lifetime. In a moment of sheer desperation and creative inspiration, we rummaged through the fridge. We had a tub of homemade basil pesto that was about to go bad, some leftover grilled chicken from dinner the night before, and a ball of fresh mozzarella. It was a “use it or lose it” situation. The result was a pizza that was a total game-changer. The vibrant, herby pesto wasn’t just a sauce; it was the star. The tender, savory chicken was the perfect counterpoint, and the creamy, gooey mozzarella tied it all together.
From that night on, basil pesto chicken pizza became our go-to. It was our elevated Friday night meal—a dish that felt sophisticated and special but was actually incredibly simple to make. It’s the kind of pizza that shows you don’t need a red sauce to have an Italian-inspired masterpiece. The fresh, bright flavors make it feel lighter than a traditional pizza, and it’s a great way to use up leftovers or to get creative with your toppings. You’re going to love this recipe! 😋
This isn’t just a recipe; it’s a way to unlock a whole new world of pizza possibilities. The secret lies in a few key components: a flavorful, homemade pesto, perfectly cooked chicken, and a balanced selection of toppings. We’ll walk through each step, from crafting that beautiful green sauce to assembling and baking your perfect pizza. This pizza is for those who want a break from the ordinary and a taste of something extraordinary.
🌿 The Secret to a Knockout Pesto
While you can certainly buy pre-made pesto from the store, making your own is a truly rewarding experience. The flavor is a million times better—fresher, brighter, and more vibrant. Plus, it’s surprisingly simple to do. The best part is you can customize it to your liking, adding more garlic for a punchier flavor or adjusting the amount of cheese.
The classic pesto recipe is simple: fresh basil, pine nuts, garlic, Parmesan cheese, and a good quality extra virgin olive oil.1 The key is to use fresh ingredients. Fresh basil is non-negotiable. It provides that sweet, slightly peppery flavor that defines pesto. Pine nuts add a subtle nutty richness and a creamy texture when blended.2 Don’t be shy with the garlic; it provides a necessary sharpness. A good food processor or blender is your best friend here. We want a smooth, emulsified sauce, not a chunky, separated mess. Add the olive oil slowly while the processor is running to create that beautiful, creamy consistency.
A great tip for keeping your pesto vibrant green is to blanch the basil leaves for just a few seconds in boiling water before shocking them in an ice bath. This locks in the color, but honestly, for a home cook just making a quick pizza, a good quality basil and a fast blending process will keep it green enough. The most important thing is the flavor.
🌟 Perfectly Cooked Chicken
The chicken on your pizza needs to be tender, juicy, and flavorful. The last thing you want is dry, tough chicken. We’ll be using cooked chicken for this recipe, which makes it an excellent choice for using up leftovers from a rotisserie chicken or last night’s dinner. If you don’t have leftover chicken, cooking it fresh is still incredibly simple.
I recommend pan-searing boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs. A little olive oil, salt, and pepper in a hot skillet is all it takes. Cook for about 5-7 minutes per side, depending on the thickness, until it’s cooked through. Let the chicken rest for a few minutes before you chop or shred it. This resting period is critical—it allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, resulting in a more tender and moist texture. You can also bake the chicken in the oven at 400°F (200°C) for 20-25 minutes. No matter which method you choose, a little seasoning goes a long way.
For a little extra flavor, you can toss the cooked, shredded chicken with a tablespoon of the homemade pesto before you put it on the pizza. This ensures every piece of chicken is packed with flavor and moisture.
✅ Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe is designed to be flexible. Feel free to use store-bought ingredients to save time or make your own for a truly special pizza.
- For the Homemade Pesto:
- 2 cups fresh basil leaves, packed
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese3
- 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1/4 cup pine nuts (walnuts can be used as a substitute)
- 2 cloves garlic, peeled
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- For the Pizza:
- 1 pre-made pizza crust (store-bought or homemade)4
- 1 cup cooked chicken, shredded or diced5
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese6
- 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese (optional, but adds a nice tang)
- 1 small Roma tomato, thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced
- Red pepper flakes for garnish (optional)7
👩🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions
Making a basil pesto chicken pizza is all about assembly. The cooking process is a breeze, especially if your ingredients are prepped.
- Make the Pesto: In a food processor, combine the basil, pine nuts, garlic, and Parmesan cheese.8 Pulse until everything is roughly chopped. With the processor running, slowly drizzle in the extra virgin olive oil until the pesto is smooth. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Preheat the Oven: Follow the instructions on your pizza crust packaging, as times and temperatures can vary. Generally, you’ll preheat the oven to a high temperature, around 450°F (230°C).9
- Prepare the Pizza Crust: Place your pizza crust on a pizza stone or baking sheet.10 Spoon the homemade pesto over the crust, spreading it evenly from the center to about an inch from the edge.11 Use as much or as little pesto as you like.
- Add the Toppings: Distribute the cooked chicken evenly over the pesto.12 Sprinkle the mozzarella and feta cheeses over the chicken. Arrange the sliced Roma tomatoes and red onion evenly on top of the cheese.
- Bake the Pizza: Place the pizza in the preheated oven.13 Bake for 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly, and the crust is golden brown.14 Baking times may vary depending on your oven and the type of crust you’re using.
- Garnish and Serve: Carefully remove the pizza from the oven. Let it cool for a minute or two before slicing. Garnish with an extra sprinkle of fresh basil leaves or red pepper flakes if you like.
🤔 Common Questions & Troubleshooting
Even for a simple recipe, questions can arise. Here are some of the most common ones.
Q: Can I use store-bought pesto?
A: Yes! Using a good quality store-bought pesto is a great time-saver. The taste won’t be as fresh as homemade, but it will still be delicious.
Q: How do I get a crispy pizza crust?
A: A hot oven is key. Make sure your oven is fully preheated to a high temperature before you put the pizza in. Using a pizza stone or a perforated pizza pan can also help create a crispier bottom crust.
Q: Can I add more vegetables to this pizza?
A: Absolutely. This recipe is an excellent canvas for your favorite vegetables. Roasted mushrooms, sliced bell peppers, or even a few handfuls of fresh spinach would all work well. For vegetables with high water content (like mushrooms), it’s best to sauté or roast them briefly before adding them to the pizza to prevent a soggy crust.
Q: How can I make this pizza vegetarian?
A: This is an easy substitution. Simply omit the chicken. You can add more vegetables, or for a heartier, high-protein alternative, you can add some grilled tofu, roasted chickpeas, or a sprinkle of nutritional yeast.
🍽️ Serving Suggestions & Variations
A basil pesto chicken pizza is a complete meal on its own, but it’s always fun to serve it with a few complementary dishes.
- Side Salad: A simple side salad with a light vinaigrette is the perfect pairing. The fresh greens and tangy dressing will cut through the richness of the pizza, making for a perfectly balanced meal.
- Wine Pairing: A crisp white wine like a Sauvignon Blanc or a light-bodied red like a Pinot Noir would be a fantastic match. The acidity in the wine will complement the bright flavors of the pesto and the richness of the cheese.
- Variations:
- Spicy Pesto Pizza: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to your pesto and top the pizza with sliced jalapeños or spicy sausage for a kick.
- Mediterranean Twist: Swap the chicken for marinated artichoke hearts and add some Kalamata olives and sun-dried tomatoes.
- Different Cheeses: Instead of mozzarella, try using burrata for an extra creamy topping. Or, for a sharper flavor, use shaved Pecorino Romano or a combination of cheeses.
- Goat Cheese: A little bit of soft, creamy goat cheese on top of the pizza would add a lovely tangy flavor.
| Nutritional Information (per serving) | |
| Calories | 420 kcal |
| Protein | 25 g |
| Fat | 28 g |
| Carbohydrates | 25 g |
| Fiber | 2 g |
| Sugars | 3 g |
| Sodium | 650 mg |
Note: Nutritional information is an estimate based on standard ingredient values and may vary.
✨ A New Pizza Night Tradition
This basil pesto chicken pizza is a testament to the fact that you don’t need to reinvent the wheel to make something truly special. Sometimes, the best creations come from a simple, inspired twist on a classic. It’s a dish that’s casual enough for a relaxed Friday night but flavorful enough to feel like a treat. The combination of the fresh, vibrant pesto and the savory chicken is a duo you won’t soon forget.
Whether you’re looking for a new family favorite or a quick meal to impress a friend, this recipe is a winner. I hope it helps you find your own moment of culinary inspiration and that it becomes a new tradition in your home. Give it a try, and don’t be afraid to experiment with your favorite toppings. Happy cooking!
