Delicious Homemade Greek Style Chicken Pesto Pizza: Quick, Easy, and Bursting with Mediterranean Flavor
Imagine a pizza night where every bite transports you to the sun-drenched shores of the Mediterranean. This super flavorful Greek style pizza, loaded with succulent chicken, vibrant pesto, creamy feta, and briny Kalamata olives, is an absolute dream come true. Best of all, it’s quick and surprisingly easy to make right in your own kitchen, thanks to a fantastic no-rise homemade crust. Forget takeout; this is the perfect recipe for a memorable pizza night that your whole family will be asking for again and again.
Do you prioritize a dedicated pizza night in your weekly menu plan? We certainly do, and our homemade pizza nights are a cherished tradition. If it were entirely up to me, we’d indulge in pizza every single week! However, my husband, Brian, has a soft spot for classic burgers and fries, so we’ve found a happy medium: alternating between Pizza Night and Burger Night on Saturdays. While I have to be content with enjoying our delicious homemade pizzas just a couple of times a month, each instance is a true culinary delight. Sigh.
Even though I adore pizza, I admit that the same old routine of tomato-based sauce with pepperoni toppings can become a bit monotonous. Can you relate? It’s time to break free from the ordinary and inject some exciting new flavors into your homemade pizza repertoire.
Well, dear friends, the ultimate solution to banishing boring homemade pizza nights is right here: this incredible Greek style pizza. It isn’t just a favorite; it’s my absolute favorite pizza creation. The blend of textures and tastes, from the savory chicken to the tangy olives, creates an unforgettable experience.
The distinctive Greek flavors of creamy feta cheese and briny Kalamata olives are staples in my kitchen, and for good reason—they are simply SO good and incredibly versatile. You’ll frequently find these delightful ingredients showcased in many of my other highly-rated recipes. For instance, they star in this amazing Greek-style shrimp & orzo dish, add zest to this flavorful Mediterranean scramble, and bring a burst of flavor to these convenient freezer-friendly breakfast wraps. Their ability to elevate any dish they grace is truly remarkable, and this pizza is no exception.
It’s precisely these wonderful Mediterranean ingredients that elevate this pizza to a league of its own, truly making it the best. What’s more, it’s incredibly easy to prepare and, surprisingly, often quicker than waiting for a delivery, all thanks to this anyone-can-make, no-rise pizza crust. Not only does it save you time, but making it yourself also significantly cuts down on cost—we’re talking about a third of the price of a typical takeout pizza. Seriously, for real!
Crafting Your Perfect Chicken Pesto Greek Style Pizza
1. The Foundation: Easy Pizza Dough. The first, and arguably most crucial, step to creating a spectacular pizza from scratch is preparing a batch of our quick and easy pizza dough. This recipe is a game-changer because it requires no lengthy rising time, getting you to the delicious part much faster. Once your dough is mixed, allow it to rest for about 15 to 20 minutes. This short rest period allows the gluten to relax, making the dough much easier to roll out, and gives you ample time to gather and prepare all your other amazing Greek-inspired ingredients.
While the dough rests, prepare your baking surface. Whether you’re using a dedicated pizza stone, a round pizza pan, or a simple rectangular cookie sheet (like I often do—use whatever you have readily available!), lightly sprinkle it with cornmeal. This little trick prevents the dough from sticking and helps create a wonderfully crispy crust. When rolling out your dough, you have the freedom to customize it to your preference. You can build up thick, chewy edges, similar to a pan pizza, or roll it out completely flat for a thinner, crispier crust, just as my daughter prefers. The beauty of homemade pizza is tailoring it precisely to your tastes!
2. The Essential Pre-bake. Don’t skip this critical step! Pre-baking your crust for approximately 8 minutes makes a huge difference, especially when you’re loading your pizza with a generous amount of toppings, as we are with this Greek style masterpiece. In the past, I’ve encountered the frustration of perfectly done, golden-brown edges surrounding a raw or undercooked center. Pre-baking ensures that your crust bakes evenly all the way through, even when piled high with rich pesto, chicken, and a medley of vegetables. This guarantees a satisfyingly crisp and fully cooked base for your delectable pizza.
3. The Flavorful Pesto Layer. After the initial pre-bake, it’s time to infuse your pizza with a burst of fresh flavor. Spread a generous, even layer of vibrant pesto over the partially baked dough. You have options here: readily available store-bought pesto works wonderfully in a pinch, or you can elevate the experience by using homemade pesto. Making your own is often more economical, especially when you consider that my recipe includes a secret ingredient that stretches fresh basil, making it a frugal and flavorful choice, particularly if you have garden basil. The herbaceous, nutty notes of the pesto provide a delightful base, setting the stage for the Greek flavors to come.
4. Chicken and Mozzarella. Next, sprinkle a generous layer of shredded mozzarella cheese over the pesto. This provides a classic gooey texture and mild flavor that perfectly complements the bolder Greek ingredients. Immediately follow with an even distribution of chopped, cooked chicken. For ultimate convenience, here’s a fantastic tip: whenever you cook a large batch of chicken, whether it’s store-bought rotisserie chicken or a slow cooker spiced whole chicken, shred or chop some of it and freeze it in 1-2 cup baggies. These pre-portioned bags are perfect for quick additions to recipes like this pizza, salads, or casseroles, saving you valuable time on busy evenings.
5. The Vibrant Vegetable Layer. Now for the heart of the Greek flavor profile: the vegetables! This is where the pizza truly comes alive with color and taste. Artfully arrange quartered artichoke hearts (canned and drained work perfectly for convenience), tender sautéed mushrooms, finely chopped sweet onion for a hint of pungency, and home-dried tomatoes. If you dry your own tomatoes, be sure to use ones packed in olive oil for optimal flavor and preservation. Finally, scatter sliced Kalamata olives across the surface, adding their distinct briny, salty notes that are quintessential to Greek cuisine. This combination creates a harmonious blend of textures and robust flavors that will delight your palate.
A crucial tip for dried tomatoes: When incorporating dried tomatoes into recipes like pizza that cook at high temperatures and relatively quickly, it’s vital to place them on a bottom layer, or at the very least, gently press them into the sauce and cheese layers. This strategic placement helps protect them from burning, ensuring they become tender and flavorful without turning charred or overly crisp. This attention to detail makes all the difference in achieving a perfectly balanced pizza.
6. The Finishing Cheeses. With all the vibrant vegetables in place, only one final step remains before baking: the cheese topping! Generously sprinkle crumbled feta cheese over the entire pizza. Its salty, tangy, and slightly crumbly texture adds a unique Mediterranean kick that is absolutely essential to this Greek style pizza. Follow this with a scattering of freshly grated Parmesan cheese. This dual cheese approach ensures both creamy richness and a delightful sharp finish. Parmesan also plays a strategic role here: I’ve learned a clever trick with pizza that truly makes a big difference – always finish your toppings with a light sprinkle of cheese (usually Parmesan). This helps to bind all the toppings together during cooking, ensuring they stay put after the pizza is sliced and served. It makes for a much neater and more enjoyable eating experience, preventing ingredients from sliding off with every bite.
7. The Final Bake. Now, carefully slide your beautifully topped pizza back into the preheated oven for another 10 to 12 minutes, or until it reaches golden perfection. Keep a watchful eye: you’re looking for a crust that’s beautifully browned and crisp, and toppings that are cooked through, with the cheeses melted, bubbly, and just starting to brown in spots. The aromas filling your kitchen at this point will be absolutely divine, signaling that a delicious meal is just moments away!
8. Slice and Serve. Once baked to perfection, carefully transfer the hot pizza from its pan to a large cutting board. This allows it to cool slightly and makes for easier slicing. Using a sharp pizza cutter or a large chef’s knife, slice your masterpiece into serving pieces. If you’re using a rectangular cookie sheet, a clever way to ensure everyone gets a good piece with crust is to cut 12 narrower pieces – 6 on each side. This also makes the slices more manageable. Here’s another tip: a large cookie sheet is a fantastic way to prepare and serve pizza when you’re feeding a crowd, making it perfect for parties or larger family gatherings.
All that’s left now is to enjoy every single, glorious bite!
This pizza is so incredibly good, it seriously challenges my self-imposed one-piece-portion-control-limit! This is definitely one of those rare times where I purposefully set aside leftovers, clearly marked with my name on them, just to ensure I get to savor more later. Oh, and yes, it was the irresistible allure of this very pizza that finally prompted me to invest in a toaster oven. Why? Because leftover pizza reheats in a toaster oven almost like it’s fresh-from-the-oven again, reviving that perfect crispness and flavor. Who knows? Perhaps with this delicious variation of Greek style pizza frequently on the menu, I might just convince Brian to make it an every-week pizza night after all!
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Chicken-Pesto Greek Style Pizza
Ingredients
- One batch Quick and Easy Pizza Dough (enough for one large pizza)
- Cornmeal (for dusting the pan)
- 2/3 cup Prepared Pesto (try this easy, frugal homemade pesto recipe)
- 2 cups Shredded Mozzarella Cheese
- 1 ½ cups Cooked, Chopped Chicken
- 1/2 cup Quartered Artichoke Hearts (drained from can or jar)
- 1/4 cup Chopped Sweet Onion
- 1/4 cup Chopped Dried Tomatoes (preferably oil-packed)
- 1/4 cup Sliced Kalamata Olives
- 1/2 cup Crumbled Feta Cheese
- 1/2 cup Freshly Grated Parmesan Cheese
Instructions
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Prepare the quick and easy pizza dough according to its recipe, and allow it to rest for 15 to 20 minutes while you gather your toppings.
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Preheat your oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit (220°C). Lightly sprinkle a medium-sized baking sheet or a pizza pan/stone with cornmeal to prevent sticking and ensure a crispy crust.
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Roll and press the prepared dough to fit your chosen pan. You can create thicker edges for a chewier crust or roll it entirely flat for a thin-crust style, depending on your preference.
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Prebake the rolled-out crust in the hot oven for 8-10 minutes. If the crust begins to form large bubbles, gently push them down with a spatula after removing it from the oven to deflate them.
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Once prebaked, spread the partially cooked crust evenly with the prepared pesto. Then, sprinkle with shredded mozzarella cheese and evenly distribute the chopped cooked chicken over the cheese layer.
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Add all your desired vegetables in even layers. Start with the chopped dried tomatoes, pressing them slightly into the cheese, to ensure they are on a bottom layer and don’t burn during baking.
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Finish by topping the pizza with crumbled feta cheese and a final sprinkle of freshly grated Parmesan cheese.
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Bake in the 425-degree F (220°C) oven for an additional 8-12 minutes. The pizza is ready when the crust is nicely browned, and the cheeses are fully melted, bubbly, and slightly golden.
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Carefully transfer the hot pizza to a large cutting board before slicing it into serving pieces. Enjoy immediately!
Notes
Nutrition
Note: This beloved recipe for Chicken Pesto Greek Style Pizza was originally published in 2012. It has since been thoroughly updated with larger, more enticing photos, clearer formatting for easier readability, and a convenient printable recipe card to enhance your cooking experience. We hope you enjoy this refreshed version even more!
Other Family-Favorite Recipes You May Enjoy:
Quick and Tender Homemade Hamburger Buns
Easy Lemon-Garlic Roasted Chicken Sheet Pan Dinner with Vegetables
Flavorful Soy Sriracha Marinated Chicken