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Home-baked Pizza With Shredded Chicken

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I cannot recall the last time I ordered a pizza or purchased a ready-made one from the supermarket. Gone are the days when I would spend a fortune on pizza takeaways every Friday night, only to be disappointed by the quality. Sometimes, the delivery would arrive on time, but more often than not, the food would be cold and unappetising. Even after attempting to salvage it by reheating in the microwave, it would resemble and taste like a worn-out dishcloth.
 
Ever since I started making my own pizza, my Friday night takeaway woes have vanished. Opting to create my own pizza has proven to be a wise decision, as it allows me to use fresh ingredients for the toppings and customis the pizza base to my liking. Moreover, my children can select their preferred toppings, making it a fun and interactive experience for the whole family. In fact, I have now made hosting pizza parties on weekends a regular occurrence, bringing everyone together for a delightful culinary adventure.
 
As we continue to explore various toppings to adorn our pizzas, I am excited to provide you with step-by-step instructions on how to make your very own pizza. This particular recipe features the delectable addition of shredded chicken. By following my simple steps, you will be able to create outstanding pizzas using any topping of your choice. The possibilities are endless when it comes to selecting pizza toppings. You can opt for a classic cheese and tomato combination, or if you’re feeling adventurous, you can utilise leftover jerk chicken, complemented by vibrant spinach leaves and delectable mozzarella balls.
 
To prepare the shredded chicken, there are several methods you can employ, such as using the oven, a slow cooker, or a saucepan on the stovetop. In this demonstration, I will guide you through the process of cooking the chicken using a saucepan on the stovetop. I find this method to be the quickest and easiest.
 
It’s worth noting that shredded chicken is not only a fantastic addition to pizzas but also elevates the flavours of sandwiches, flatbreads, and salads. Its versatility knows no bounds, allowing you to experiment and create a myriad of mouth-watering dishes.
 
So, why settle for lacklustre takeaways or store-bought pizzas when you can embark on a culinary adventure in the comfort of your own kitchen? Join me as we unlock the secrets to crafting the perfect homemade pizza, tailored to your taste buds and brimming with fresh, flavourful ingredients. Get ready to tantalise your senses and indulge in the art of pizza-making like never before.

Shredded chicken is also an excellent addition to make delicious sandwiches, flatbreads and salads.

A variety of pizza toppings
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Home-baked Pizza With Shredded Chicken

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Following these easy steps, you will be able to make great pizzas using any topping of your choice.

For Pizza Dough

  • 500g strong white bread flour extra for dusting.

  • 30 ml extra virgin olive oil plus, extra for greasing.

  • 1 tsp salt

  • 2 tsp sugar

  • 5g yeast
  • 300ml warm water
  • cornmeal for dusting

For Topping

  • 200g grated mozzarella cheese
  • 125g soft ball mozzarella cheese
  • 4 pieces raw chicken breast fillet – for topping
  • 450ml chicken or vegetable stock
  • 12-15 pieces green olives
  • 1/2 onion – sliced
  • 1 large mushroom – sliced
  • 1 large yellow or red bell pepper – deseeded and chopped
  • 100g tinned sweetcorn
  • 230g / 1 tinned pineapple chunks or fresh pineapple slices

  • 6 pieces of sundried tomatoes in oil -drained

For Pizza Sauce

  • 400g / 1 tinned chopped tomatoes

  • 3 tbsp Hellman’s smokey bbq sauce – optional
  • 1 tsp olive oil

  1. To make the pizza dough, start by preparing the yeast mixture. In a bowl, combine 300ml of warm water, sugar, and yeast. Stir well until the yeast is frothy. Let it stand for 5-10 minutes.

  2. In a separate bowl, sift the flour and add salt and olive oil. Mix everything together using your hands until the mixture becomes crumbly. Slowly add the yeast mixture to the flour and mix until a soft dough forms. Set the dough aside for 5 minutes while you prepare a clean surface for kneading.

  3. Sprinkle some flour on the clean surface and knead the dough for about 10-15 minutes until it becomes soft, stretchy, and elastic.

  4. Sprinkle some cornmeal in a mixing bowl and transfer the dough into the bowl. Cover it with cling film or a warm cloth and place it in a warm area to double in size, ideally for 1 hour.

  5. While the dough is rising, prepare the shredded chicken. Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a non-stick pan and add the chicken. Brown both sides of the chicken for 2-3 minutes. Then, add the stock, cover the pan with a lid, and cook on low heat for 15 minutes. Flip the chicken over and continue cooking for another 15 minutes or until it is cooked through. Once cooked, set the chicken aside to cool and then shred it using two forks.

  6. To prepare the pizza sauce, mix three tablespoons of Hellman's Smokey BBQ sauce and one teaspoon of olive oil into the tomato sauce.

  7. Preheat the oven to 220°C for 30 minutes.

  8. Remove the dough from the bowl and place it on a floured surface. Knead the dough for a few minutes and shape it into 4 large balls. Wrap each ball with cling film and let them rest for 10-15 minutes.

  9. Roll out each ball using your fingers or a rolling pin to match the shape of the pizza pan. Add enough flour to prevent the dough from sticking. 

  10. Once you have the pizza bases ready, spread 2-3 tablespoons of the pizza sauce on each base. Add the cheese and your desired toppings. Finish with a drizzle of olive oil. Be careful not to add too many toppings, as it may make the pizza soggy.

  11. Bake the pizzas for 8-12 minutes or until the base turns golden brown. Repeat steps 7 and 8 for the remaining pizzas.

    Enjoy your homemade pizzas fresh out of the oven!

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