Chicken Pizza Masala

This vibrant pizza features a flavorful chicken tikka masala topping on a crispy crust, finished off with fresh cilantro and a drizzle of yogurt or raita for an extra touch!

Ingredients

For the Chicken Marinade:

• 1 pound boneless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 1/2 cup plain yogurt
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon ginger, grated
• 1 tablespoon garam masala
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)
• Salt, to taste

For the Pizza:

• 1 pizza crust (store-bought or homemade)
• 1 cup pizza sauce (or use a spiced tomato sauce)
• 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• Fresh coriander (cilantro) leaves, for garnish
• Optional: additional toppings like red onions, bell peppers, or jalapeños
• Yogurt or raita, for drizzling or serving

Cooking Instructions

1. Marinate the Chicken:

   • In a large bowl, combine yogurt, lemon juice, minced garlic, ginger, garam masala, cumin, paprika, cayenne, and salt. Mix well.
   • Add the chicken pieces to the marinade and coat thoroughly. Let it marinate for at least 1 hour (or up to overnight) in the refrigerator.

2. Cook the Chicken:

   • Preheat your oven to 475°F (245°C) for the pizza.
   • Once marinated, heat a grill pan or non-stick skillet over medium-high heat and add a drizzle of oil.
   • Cook the marinated chicken for about 7-10 minutes, or until cooked through and nicely browned. Remove and set aside.

3. Prepare the Pizza:

   • Roll out your pizza crust on a floured surface to your desired thickness. Transfer it to a baking sheet or pizza stone.
   • Spread the pizza sauce evenly over the crust.
   • Sprinkle the cooked chicken tikka on top, followed by shredded mozzarella cheese and any additional toppings you like.

4. Bake the Pizza:

   • Bake in the preheated oven for about 12-15 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and the crust is golden.

5. Garnish and Serve:

   • Once out of the oven, garnish the pizza with fresh coriander leaves and drizzle with yogurt or raita.