Description
Cranberry chicken and brie pizza delivers a perfect blend of sweet and savory flavors that dance across your palate. Rustic French cheese melts luxuriously over tender chicken, while tart cranberries provide a delightful contrast that elevates this gourmet pizza experience.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 pre-made pizza crust (store-bought or homemade)
- 1 cup cooked chicken, shredded (or leftover turkey)
- 8 ounces (226 grams) Brie cheese, sliced
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
Sauce and Toppings:
- 1/2 cup cranberry sauce
- 1/2 cup red onion, thinly sliced
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves (or 1 teaspoon dried thyme)
- Arugula or fresh spinach for topping (optional)
Seasoning:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Warm the oven to 425°F (220°C), ensuring optimal temperature for crisp pizza crust preparation.
- Gently stretch pizza dough across a baking sheet, delicately brushing the surface with olive oil to enhance golden crispiness.
- Combine shredded chicken with cranberry sauce, thoroughly coating each chicken piece to create a vibrant, tangy mixture.
- Distribute the cranberry-chicken blend evenly across the prepared crust, creating a consistent flavor foundation.
- Layer soft Brie cheese strategically over the chicken, allowing its creamy texture to melt beautifully during baking.
- Sprinkle mozzarella cheese across the surface, complementing the Brie with additional melty richness.
- Scatter thinly sliced red onions to introduce a sharp, crisp element that balances the sweet and savory components.
- Season the pizza with fresh thyme, carefully sprinkling salt and pepper to enhance the overall flavor profile.
- Transfer the pizza to the preheated oven, baking for 12-15 minutes until cheese becomes luxuriously bubbling and crust transforms to a golden hue.
- Remove from oven and allow brief cooling to stabilize toppings and prevent burning.
- Garnish with fresh arugula or tender spinach leaves, adding a peppery, verdant finish to the pizza.
- Slice into wedges and serve immediately, celebrating the harmonious blend of tangy, creamy, and fresh flavors.
Notes
- Swap pre-made pizza crust for homemade whole wheat dough to boost nutritional value and create a healthier alternative.
- Reduce baking time by 2-3 minutes for a softer, chewier crust that prevents burning and maintains optimal texture.
- Choose leftover roasted chicken or rotisserie chicken for deeper flavor profiles and quicker meal preparation.
- Customize for vegetarian diets by replacing chicken with roasted butternut squash or hearty mushrooms, maintaining the pizza’s rich, complex taste.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 60 mg