Description
This Roasted Garlic White Chicken Pizza recipe features a crispy homemade or store-bought crust topped with a creamy roasted garlic white sauce, tender cooked chicken breast, and melted mozzarella cheese. The baking process caramelizes the garlic and crisps the crust, making a flavorful and comforting pizza perfect for dinner or a special occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
Pizza Base
- 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
Garnish
- Fresh parsley or basil for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Roast Garlic: Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Cut the top off the head of garlic to expose the cloves, drizzle it with olive oil, wrap it tightly in foil, and roast for 35-40 minutes until the cloves are soft and golden. Set aside to cool before handling.
- Heat Baking Surface: Increase the oven temperature to 475°F (245°C). Place a pizza stone or baking sheet inside the oven to preheat, ensuring a crisp crust during baking.
- Prepare White Sauce: In a small saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour to create a roux and cook for about 1 minute. Slowly whisk in the milk until the mixture is smooth. Add grated Parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper, then simmer until the sauce thickens, approximately 3-5 minutes. Remove from heat once thickened.
- Roll Out Dough: On a floured surface, roll out the pizza dough to the desired shape and thickness, preparing it for the toppings.
- Spread Sauce: Evenly spread the prepared white sauce over the rolled-out dough, leaving a small border to form the pizza crust.
- Add Roasted Garlic: Squeeze the softened roasted garlic cloves out of their skins and lightly mash them. Dot the mashed garlic evenly across the sauce-covered dough.
- Top Pizza: Scatter the shredded or diced cooked chicken evenly over the pizza, then cover with shredded mozzarella cheese. Sprinkle the Italian seasoning on top for added flavor.
- Bake 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 brown and cheese is bubbly and melted.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove the pizza from the oven, garnish with fresh parsley or basil if desired, slice into serving pieces, and enjoy warm.
Notes
- Use a pizza stone if available for a crisper crust; otherwise, a baking sheet works well.
- Roasted garlic can be prepared ahead and stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- The white sauce can be customized by adding a pinch of nutmeg for extra warmth.
- Ensure the oven is fully preheated before baking for best crust texture.
- Leftover pizza can be reheated in a skillet to retain crispiness.
