Flavorful Jalapeno Chicken Pizza

Featured in Easy Homemade Pizza Your Way.

This homemade chicken jalapeno pizza stands out with its crispy thin crust, spicy chile-seasoned chicken, and zesty pickled jalapenos. Made with fresh dough and a simple garlic-oil base instead of tomato sauce, it’s all about bold flavors. The dough recipe yields enough to prepare up to four pizzas, and leftover dough keeps well in the fridge for meal prep, making it convenient for busy days.
Emily Watson
Updated on Mon, 10 Mar 2025 03:23:46 GMT
Tasty Chicken and Jalapeno Pizza Pin it
Tasty Chicken and Jalapeno Pizza | thefamilycooks.com

Experience a creative spin on classic pizza with this spicy chicken and pickled jalapeño combination. The traditional tomato sauce is replaced with a fragrant garlic oil base, letting the heat of the jalapeños and the savory chicken take center stage in this memorable recipe.

This recipe was born from kitchen experimentation with leftover pickled jalapeños. The flavors worked so well together that it's become a regular in our weekly pizza rotation.

Key Ingredients

  • Pickled Jalapeños: Adds heat and bright acidity
  • Fresh Garlic: Freshly minced for optimal flavor
  • Mozzarella: Fresh preferred for best melting
  • Chile Powder: New Mexican variety recommended
  • All-Purpose Flour: Unbleached for ideal texture

Pizza Assembly Guide

Step 1 - Prepare the Pizza Dough:
Dissolve yeast in warm water. Add flour slowly to form dough. Let rise until doubled.
Step 2 - Mix Garlic Oil:
Finely mince fresh garlic. Mix into olive oil immediately. Press to extract maximum flavor.
Step 3 - Cook Chicken:
Cut into even pieces. Season well. Cook until just barely done.
Step 4 - Build Pizza:
Roll dough thin. Brush with garlic oil. Add toppings evenly.
Easy Spicy Chicken and Pickled Jalapeno Pizza Pin it
Easy Spicy Chicken and Pickled Jalapeno Pizza | thefamilycooks.com

This pizza is ideal for gatherings since most components can be prepared in advance. The unique topping combination always generates conversation.

Recipe Benefits

The dough recipe yields extra portions for additional pizzas throughout the week.

Prepare additional spicy chicken to use in other meals like salads or sandwiches.

This recipe converts even the most traditional pizza enthusiasts to trying new flavor combinations.

The garlic oil base opens up possibilities for countless pizza variations.

Yummy Spicy Chicken and Pickled Jalapeno Pizza Pin it
Yummy Spicy Chicken and Pickled Jalapeno Pizza | thefamilycooks.com

This recipe demonstrates how creative ingredient combinations can enhance traditional dishes. Simple changes transform familiar pizza into an exciting new dining experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Why use a paper-thin crust?
A super thin crust makes the toppings the star and keeps everything flavorful and well-balanced.
→ How can I keep extra dough for later?
Wrap the leftover dough tightly in plastic and foil, then store it in the fridge for up to 4-5 days.
→ What does pre-baking the crust do?
It ensures the thin crust cooks evenly by giving it a 1-2 minute head start.
→ Is there a way to tone down the spiciness?
Sure! Just dial down the chile powder and go lighter on the jalapenos to get the heat just right for you.
→ Why shouldn’t I fully cook the chicken?
Partially cooking prevents the chicken from drying out during its final time baking in the oven.

Chicken Jalapeno Pizza

This crispy-crust pizza features chile-spiced chicken, gooey mozzarella, and tangy pickled jalapenos, all topped on a light garlic-oil base.

Prep Time
90 Minutes
Cook Time
15 Minutes
Total Time
105 Minutes

Category: Pizza

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: Mexican-Italian Fusion

Yield: 8 Servings (2 10-inch pizzas)

Dietary: ~

Ingredients

→ Pizza Dough

01 2 cups of plain, white flour
02 3/4 cup of warm water
03 1 tsp of yeast for baking
04 1 tsp of salt

→ Chicken & Seasonings

05 1 chicken breast
06 1 tbsp of New Mexican chili or chili powder
07 1/2 tsp of chipotle powder if you like it spicy
08 A sprinkle (1/4 tsp) of salt
09 Some fresh pepper, ground to taste
10 1 tbsp olive oil for cooking

→ Toppings & Sauce

11 1 cup of chopped, pickled jalapeños
12 1 cup of mozzarella cheese, cut into cubes
13 2 tbsp of olive oil for garlic sauce
14 2 cloves of garlic, finely chopped
15 Just a pinch of salt for the garlic sauce

Instructions

Step 01

Take a bowl and mix warm water with the yeast first. Then, add salt and flour, stir with a spoon until it starts forming into dough. Knead it by hand on a flat surface until smooth. If it’s too sticky, throw in a little extra flour. Cover it and let it sit for 30 minutes to 2 hours to rise.

Step 02

In a small bowl, combine chopped garlic, olive oil, and a pinch of salt. Mash the garlic a bit with the back of a spoon so it mixes well with the oil.

Step 03

Cut the chicken into small cubes. Toss it with chili powder, chipotle (if using), salt, and pepper. Heat oil in a pan, toss in the chicken, and cook over medium heat. Don’t overcook—it’ll finish in the oven.

Step 04

Cut the dough into 4 parts. Each is for a 10-inch pizza. Flatten them with a rolling pin on parchment paper, making them super thin. Let them rest a moment so they don’t shrink back too much.

Step 05

Bake the crust plain at 400°F for 1-2 minutes to firm it up. Add a little garlic oil, chicken, cheese chunks, and pickled jalapeños. Bake again for 8-10 minutes to get it golden and crisp.

Notes

  1. This dough makes four pizzas, but the toppings here are for two.
  2. Wrap extra dough tightly and keep it in the fridge for no more than 5 days.
  3. Thin crusts are best if you want the toppings to be the star of the show.
  4. Too much garlic sauce can make the crust soggy. Use only about half a tablespoon per pizza.

Tools You'll Need

  • A bowl for mixing
  • A rolling pin to flatten dough
  • Parchment paper for rolling
  • A baking tray or pizza stone
  • A pan for cooking chicken

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Gluten from the flour
  • Dairy from mozzarella cheese