If you are searching for the perfect combination of creamy, savory, and comforting flavors, look no further than this Roasted Garlic White Chicken Pizza Recipe. It’s a delightful twist on classic pizza, featuring the mellow sweetness of slow-roasted garlic, tender chunks of juicy chicken, and a luscious homemade white sauce. Every bite offers an irresistible harmony of textures and tastes that will have you reaching for seconds without hesitation. Whether it’s a weekend treat or a weeknight dinner, this recipe is guaranteed to become a favorite in your kitchen.
Ingredients You’ll Need
While this Roasted Garlic White Chicken Pizza Recipe uses straightforward ingredients, each one plays an essential role in building layers of flavor and creating a perfectly balanced dish. From the creamy white sauce to the hearty chicken topping and fresh herbs, every component contributes to a pizza experience that’s both rich and satisfying.
- Prepared pizza dough: Whether store-bought or homemade, it provides the crispy, chewy foundation that holds all toppings together.
- Head of garlic: Roasting whole garlic softens its flavor and adds a sweet, caramelized depth to the pizza.
- Olive oil: Helps to roast the garlic evenly while adding a subtle fruity note.
- Butter: Key for starting the creamy roux that thickens the white sauce beautifully.
- All-purpose flour: Combines with butter to create the roux, essential for a smooth, velvety sauce.
- Whole milk: Adds richness to the white sauce and balances the sharpness of cheese.
- Grated Parmesan cheese: For that savory, salty punch that enhances the sauce and perfectly complements the mozzarella.
- Salt and pepper: Simple seasonings to bring out all the flavors just right.
- Cooked chicken breast: Tender and juicy protein topping that makes this pizza filling and delicious.
- Shredded mozzarella cheese: Melts beautifully and adds that gooey, classic pizza texture.
- Italian seasoning: A fragrant mix that adds herbaceous notes for extra flavor complexity.
- Fresh parsley or basil (optional): For a bright, fresh garnish that livens up the pizza’s appearance and taste.
How to Make Roasted Garlic White Chicken Pizza Recipe
Step 1: Roast the Garlic
Start by preheating your oven to 400°F (200°C). Trim the top off the garlic head to expose the cloves, drizzle it with olive oil, and wrap it snugly in foil. Roast for about 35 to 40 minutes until the cloves are soft and golden. This slow roasting transforms the garlic into a spreadable, sweet delight that is the signature flavor base of this pizza.
Step 2: Prepare the Pizza Stone and Increase Oven Heat
Once the garlic is roasting, crank your oven temperature up to 475°F (245°C) and place a pizza stone or baking sheet inside to heat. This step ensures that your pizza crust will get that irresistible crispness when baked.
Step 3: Make the Creamy White Sauce
In a small saucepan, melt butter over medium heat and whisk in the flour to create a roux — this thickens the sauce perfectly. Slowly add the milk while whisking continuously to keep it smooth. Then, stir in grated Parmesan cheese along with salt and pepper, letting the sauce simmer until it thickens, about 3 to 5 minutes. This homemade sauce blends creaminess with cheesy goodness, setting the perfect base for our toppings.
Step 4: Roll Out the Dough
On a lightly floured surface, roll your pizza dough to the thickness and shape you prefer. This is your canvas, so take a moment to get it just right!
Step 5: Spread the White Sauce and Add Roasted Garlic
Spread the prepared white sauce evenly over the dough, leaving a small border for the crust so it can puff up nicely. Next, gently squeeze the roasted garlic cloves from their skins and dot them across the pizza. Their creamy texture will melt into the sauce while providing incredible bursts of flavor in every bite.
Step 6: Add Chicken, Cheese, and Seasoning
Top your pizza with the cooked chicken pieces, followed by a generous sprinkle of shredded mozzarella. Finish with a light dusting of Italian seasoning to give the pizza an aromatic lift that ties all of the components together.
Step 7: Bake to Perfection
Using a pizza peel or the back of a baking sheet, carefully transfer your masterpiece onto the preheated stone or baking sheet. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes until the crust turns golden and the cheese bubbles invitingly.
Step 8: Garnish and Serve
Remove the pizza from the oven and add fresh parsley or basil if you like. Slice it up and serve your Roasted Garlic White Chicken Pizza Recipe warm, soaking up every bit of that irresistible creamy and savory flavor.
How to Serve Roasted Garlic White Chicken Pizza Recipe
Garnishes
Fresh herbs like parsley or basil add a fragrant, vibrant finish to this pizza. Their natural brightness contrasts beautifully with the rich white sauce and melted cheese. A light drizzle of extra virgin olive oil before serving is also a lovely touch.
Side Dishes
Pair your pizza with a crisp green salad tossed in a tangy vinaigrette to balance the richness or enjoy it alongside roasted vegetables for a fuller meal. A simple garlic bread or herbed focaccia also complements this savory pizza delight perfectly.
Creative Ways to Present
Try serving it on a wooden pizza board for a rustic touch or slice it into smaller squares for a fun party platter. Adding a sprinkle of chili flakes or a drizzle of balsamic glaze right before serving can also add a surprising burst of flavor and color.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Cool leftover pizza completely before storing it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh for up to 3 days and is just as delicious warmed up for a quick meal anytime.
Freezing
If you want to save some for later, wrap individual slices tightly in plastic wrap and place in a freezer bag. Frozen pizza slices from this recipe hold up well for about 1 to 2 months.
Reheating
The best way to reheat leftover Roasted Garlic White Chicken Pizza Recipe is in the oven at 375°F (190°C) for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the crust crisps up and the cheese melts again. Avoid microwaving if you want to keep that deliciously crisp texture.
FAQs
Can I use pre-cooked garlic instead of roasting a whole head?
While you can, roasting the garlic transforms its sharpness into a sweet, mellow flavor that truly defines this pizza. Pre-cooked garlic won’t offer the same depth or creamy texture that roasted garlic provides.
What type of chicken works best for this pizza?
Cooked chicken breast is ideal because it stays tender and mild in flavor, letting the garlic and cheese shine. You can use leftover chicken or quickly poach or grill chicken breasts before shredding.
Is there a substitute for the white sauce?
The homemade Parmesan white sauce is key to this recipe’s creamy charm. However, you could experiment with store-bought Alfredo sauce in a pinch, although it may taste slightly different.
Can I make this pizza gluten-free?
Absolutely! Use a gluten-free pizza crust instead of traditional dough and ensure your flour and other ingredients are gluten-free. The rest of the recipe remains the same and just as delicious.
How can I make the crust crispier?
Preheating your pizza stone or baking sheet ensures a hot surface that crisps the bottom. Also, avoid overloading the pizza with sauce or toppings which can make the dough soggy.
Final Thoughts
There is something incredibly satisfying about a homemade pizza that blends luxurious roasted garlic with tender chicken and gooey cheese in a creamy white sauce. This Roasted Garlic White Chicken Pizza Recipe is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that’s simple enough for a weeknight yet special enough for entertaining. I can’t wait for you to try it and make it a go-to favorite in your recipe collection. Happy baking!
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Roasted Garlic White Chicken Pizza Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 1 large pizza (serves 1-2)
- Category: Pizza
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Description
This Roasted Garlic White Chicken Pizza features a crispy homemade or store-bought crust topped with a creamy garlic-infused white sauce, tender roasted garlic, shredded chicken, and bubbling mozzarella cheese. Finished with aromatic Italian seasoning and optional fresh herbs, this pizza offers a rich and flavorful twist on traditional tomato-based pies, perfect for a cozy dinner.
Ingredients
Pizza Dough
- 1 prepared pizza dough (store-bought or homemade)
Roasted Garlic
- 1 head of garlic
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (for roasting garlic)
White Sauce
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup whole milk
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
Toppings
- 1 cup cooked chicken breast, shredded or diced
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Fresh parsley or basil for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Roast the Garlic: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Slice the top off the head of garlic to expose the individual cloves, drizzle with olive oil, then wrap tightly in foil. Roast in the oven for 35-40 minutes until the cloves are soft and golden brown. Remove and let cool to handle.
- Preheat Oven for Baking Pizza: Increase the oven temperature to 475°F (245°C). Place a pizza stone or baking sheet inside to heat up, ensuring a crisp crust.
- Prepare the White Sauce: In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Whisk in the flour and cook for about 1 minute to make a roux. Gradually add the whole milk while whisking continuously until smooth. Stir in Parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper. Let the sauce simmer gently for 3-5 minutes until thickened. Remove from heat.
- Roll out the Pizza Dough: On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough to your preferred shape and thickness, ready to hold toppings.
- Spread White Sauce on Dough: Evenly spread the creamy white sauce over the rolled dough, leaving a small border around the edges for the crust.
- Add Roasted Garlic: Squeeze the roasted garlic cloves out of their skins and mash lightly. Distribute the mashed garlic evenly over the sauce for a sweet and mellow garlic flavor.
- Top with Chicken and Cheese: Scatter the shredded or diced cooked chicken breast evenly over the pizza, then top with shredded mozzarella cheese. Sprinkle Italian seasoning over the top for an herbaceous finish.
- Bake the Pizza: Carefully transfer the assembled pizza onto the preheated pizza stone or baking sheet in the oven. Bake for 10-12 minutes until the crust is golden and the cheese is melted and bubbling.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from the oven, optionally sprinkle with fresh parsley or basil, slice, and serve warm to enjoy the full flavors.
Notes
- For extra crispy crust, use a pizza stone preheated in the oven.
- You can substitute whole milk with 2% milk for a lighter sauce.
- Leftover roasted garlic can be stored in the refrigerator for up to a week.
- Ensure cooked chicken is shredded or diced finely for even topping distribution.
- Fresh herbs, such as parsley or basil, brighten the rich flavors if added just before serving.
