Introduction: Chicken Pesto Pizza

This is one of my favorite pizzas that I make every Friday night.

Ingredients needed:
* Homemade or store bought pizza dough. I make my own...it's really easy so this recipe includes my homemade dough.
* Sauce ( yes I use a jar sauce)
* Italian cheese blend ( Asiago, Parmesan, Fontina, Mild Provolone...found at Trader Joe's)
* 1 chicken breast
* 1/4 cup of Pesto

Step 1: Making the Dough

Items needed:
* 3 cups of flour
* 1 pouch Fleischmann's RapidRise Yeast
* 1/4 tsp salt
* 2 tbsp olive oil
* 1 cup hot water

Add all of these ingredients together.

Step 2: Mix Ingredients

Mix with mixer until moist and chunky. Approx 1-2 min.

Step 3: Fold the Dough

 Use your hand to fold the dough in the bowl to create a ball.

Step 4: Knead the Dough

Place the dough on a lightly floured surface and knead for 10 minutes.

Step 5: Let the Dough Rest

Cover the dough with a clean towel and let rest for 10 minutes.

Step 6: Prepare the Pesto Chicken

Add 1/4 cup of pesto to pan ( you can add a tbsp of olive oil if you want). Cut the chicken into cubes and add to the pan. Sautee' on medium heat for 5 minutes, stirring constantly.

Step 7: Rolling Out the Dough

Place your dough on a lightly floured surface and roll out evenly.

Step 8:

Roll your dough out so it is slightly larger then your pan. I use a 12-14" pizza pan but you can use whatever pan you wish.

Step 9: Oil Your Pan....VERY IMPORTANT!

Add tbsp of olive oil to pan and spread all around, including edges, with paper towel.

Step 10: Making the Crust

Place your dough on your pizza pan. Turn and fold the edges under to form the crust.

Step 11: Oil Crust

Pre-heat your oven to 400 degrees. Spread 1-2 tbsp olive oil all over the top and edges of your crust using your fingers.

Step 12: Pre-cook Crust

Using a fork poke holes all over the bottom of your crust. Place the crust in oven and bake at 400 degrees for 10 minutes.

Step 13: Add Your Sauce

After your crust is pre-cooked, add about 1 - 1 1/2 cups of sauce, depending on how much you like. Spread evenly around.

Step 14: Cheesey Cheese

Spread your cheese evenly around. I like a LOT of cheese so I use plenty!

Step 15: Add the Pesto Chicken

Add your pesto chicken and spread evenly around.

Step 16: Cook Your Pizza!

Place your pizza in the oven at 400 degrees for 15-20 minutes or until cheese is golden brown.

Step 17: Cut Into Slices and ENJOY!

Cut into slices and enjoy! Get a pizza cutter it makes it so much easier!

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