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
Scale
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.
