Mexican Chicken Pizza Recipe
If you love a fusion of bold flavors and cheesy goodness, this Mexican Chicken Pizza Recipe is about to become your new go-to. Imagine a crispy crust layered with creamy, zesty cheese sauce seasoned with taco spices, topped with tender grilled chicken, sweet corn, black beans, and vivid swirls of salsa and salsa verde. It’s a fiesta on your plate that comes together in just 25 minutes! This Mexican Chicken Pizza Recipe balances the familiar comfort of pizza with exciting Mexican-inspired flavors, making it irresistibly delicious and perfect for sharing with friends or family.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These simple yet essential ingredients work in harmony to create a delightful combination of textures and flavors, from creamy and tangy to savory and fresh. Each component plays a role in crafting that perfect balance that makes this pizza stand out.
- Classic Pizza Dough: A refrigerated dough that forms the crispy and chewy base of your pizza effortlessly.
- Cream Cheese: Adds a luscious, creamy texture that melts beautifully with the cheese blend.
- Taco Seasoning: Brings that signature Mexican flavor punch with a mix of spices.
- Mexican Cheese Blend: Offers a melty, gooey texture and authentic taste, divided for sauce and topping.
- Grilled Chicken Strips: Provide hearty protein with a smoky, tender bite that complements the spices.
- Corn Kernels: Add a subtle sweetness and crunch that brightens the pizza.
- Black Beans: Bring a creamy earthiness and extra protein to the topping mix.
- Salsa: Brings bold tomato flavor and a touch of heat that wakes up the palate.
- Salsa Verde: Offers a tangy, fresh contrast with vibrant color and zest.
How to Make Mexican Chicken Pizza Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Crust
Start by preheating your oven to 400ºF and giving your 15×10-inch baking pan a quick spray of cooking oil to prevent sticking. Unroll the refrigerated pizza dough and press it evenly into the pan, making sure to push it up the sides slightly. This creates a perfect crust edge to hold all your toppings. Par-bake the crust for about 5 minutes until it just starts to set but isn’t browned yet. This step is crucial for a crispy base that won’t get soggy under all that delicious topping.
Step 2: Make the Cheese Sauce
While the crust is baking, take a small saucepan and gently combine the cream cheese, taco seasoning, and half of the shredded Mexican cheese blend. Heat over medium-low, stirring often until everything melts together into a smooth, creamy sauce bursting with flavor. This sauce sets the flavorful foundation for your pizza, melding the creaminess of the cheese with the bold zest of taco spices.
Step 3: Assemble the Pizza
Spread your cheesy taco sauce evenly over the partially baked pizza crust, making sure to reach every corner. Then layer on the grilled chicken strips, corn kernels, and black beans for texture and taste. Sprinkle the remaining shredded cheese over the top to guarantee a golden, gooey finish. Finally, drizzle both the salsa and salsa verde evenly across the surface for that signature tangy and spicy pop that Mexican Chicken Pizza Recipe fans adore.
Step 4: Bake to Perfection
Slide your assembled pizza into the oven and bake for 15 to 18 minutes. Watch as the edges turn beautifully golden brown and the cheese bubbles into irresistible gooeyness. This final bake ties all the ingredients together, sealing in the flavors and creating that perfect crispy crust alongside melted cheesy heaven.
Step 5: Add Final Touches
Once your pizza is out of the oven, feel free to pile on your favorite taco toppings like fresh cilantro, sliced jalapeños, diced tomatoes, or a dollop of sour cream. These extras add freshness, heat, and creaminess to elevate your Mexican Chicken Pizza Recipe to a restaurant-quality meal right at home.
How to Serve Mexican Chicken Pizza Recipe
Garnishes
Garnishing your Mexican Chicken Pizza Recipe with fresh, vibrant ingredients will bring brightness and layered flavors to each bite. Think chopped cilantro for an herby kick, fresh diced tomatoes for juiciness, and thinly sliced jalapeños if you want to turn up the heat. A squeeze of lime or a dollop of cool sour cream can also provide a lovely contrast to the rich, cheesy base.
Side Dishes
This pizza pairs wonderfully with light, refreshing sides that balance its robust flavors. A crisp green salad with lime vinaigrette, Mexican street corn salad, or even some seasoned tortilla chips with guacamole elevates your meal and keeps it exciting. These sides bring crunch and freshness to complement the warm, cheesy pizza.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, try serving individual slices on colorful plates with small bowls of salsa and crema for dipping. You can also turn this pizza into a sharing platter at parties, topped with all your favorite taco fixings, letting everyone customize their slice. Wrapping leftovers as mini pizza pockets or sharing it as finger food at gatherings brings a playful touch to presentation.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have any leftovers from your Mexican Chicken Pizza Recipe, simply cover it tightly with plastic wrap or foil and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Proper storage keeps the crust from drying out and preserves that delicious mix of toppings and melted cheese.
Freezing
You can freeze leftover pizza slices by wrapping each piece individually in plastic wrap and then placing them in a freezer bag. This way, your Mexican Chicken Pizza Recipe stays fresh for up to 2 months. When you’re ready to enjoy, just thaw and reheat for a quick and easy meal.
Reheating
To reheat, the best method is to warm your pizza in a preheated oven at 350ºF for about 10 minutes. This keeps the crust crisp and ensures the cheese melts just right, restoring that fresh-from-the-oven magic that makes this Mexican Chicken Pizza Recipe such a treat.
FAQs
Can I use homemade pizza dough for this Mexican Chicken Pizza Recipe?
Absolutely! Homemade dough works perfectly and can add an extra level of freshness. Just make sure to roll it out to fit your pan and pre-bake it briefly to avoid sogginess.
Is it possible to substitute the grilled chicken with another protein?
Yes, you can swap the grilled chicken with cooked ground beef, shredded pork, or even sautéed vegetables for a vegetarian twist without sacrificing flavor.
What if I don’t have salsa verde? Can I omit it?
You can substitute with extra salsa or a drizzle of sour cream mixed with lime and cilantro. Salsa verde adds a unique tang, but the pizza remains delicious without it.
Can I prepare the toppings ahead of time?
Definitely! You can grill the chicken and prepare the sauce earlier in the day to streamline assembly when you’re ready to bake.
How spicy is the Mexican Chicken Pizza Recipe?
The spiciness is moderate due to the taco seasoning and salsas but can be adjusted by choosing mild or hot varieties of salsa and seasoning according to your preference.
Final Thoughts
This Mexican Chicken Pizza Recipe brings together a wonderful medley of flavors that’s vibrant, comforting, and downright addictive. It’s a perfect weeknight dinner or a crowd-pleaser for gatherings. Give this recipe a try and watch it quickly become a family favorite, reminding you how exciting and delicious homemade pizza can be!
Print
Mexican Chicken Pizza Recipe
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
Description
This Mexican Chicken Pizza combines the comforting flavors of a classic pizza with vibrant Mexican-inspired ingredients. Featuring a creamy taco-seasoned cheese sauce, grilled chicken, corn, black beans, and a blend of salsas, this quick and easy pizza is perfect for a flavorful weeknight dinner or casual gathering.
Ingredients
Pizza Base
- 1 (13.8-oz) can refrigerated Classic Pizza Dough
Cheese Sauce
- 6 oz cream cheese
- 1 Tbsp taco seasoning
- 2 cups shredded Mexican cheese blend, divided
Toppings
- 2 cups grilled chicken strips
- ¼ cup corn kernels
- ¼ cup black beans, drained and rinsed
- ¼ cup salsa
- ¼ cup salsa verde
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 400ºF (204ºC). Lightly spray a 15×10-inch baking pan with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Prepare the Dough: Unroll the refrigerated pizza dough and press it firmly into the bottom and up the sides of the prepared baking pan to form the pizza crust. Bake the crust for 5 minutes to partially cook it and help it set.
- Make Cheese Sauce: In a small saucepan, combine the cream cheese, taco seasoning, and 1 cup of the shredded Mexican cheese blend. Cook over medium-low heat, stirring continuously until the mixture becomes smooth and the cheese is fully melted. Remove from heat.
- Assemble the Pizza: Spread the warm cheese sauce evenly over the pre-baked pizza crust. Evenly distribute the grilled chicken strips, corn kernels, and black beans on top. Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of shredded Mexican cheese blend over the toppings. Drizzle both salsa and salsa verde evenly over the entire pizza for added flavor and moisture.
- Bake the Pizza: Place the assembled pizza in the preheated oven and bake for 15 to 18 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Serve: Remove the pizza from the oven and top with your favorite taco toppings such as sour cream, chopped cilantro, sliced jalapeños, or avocado slices, if desired. Slice and serve warm.
Notes
- Using grilled chicken adds a nice smoky flavor, but leftover rotisserie chicken can also be used as a time-saving alternative.
- For a spicier kick, add jalapeños or a dash of hot sauce on top before baking.
- Ensure the pizza dough is pressed evenly to avoid overly thick or thin crust sections.
- Leftover pizza can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven for best texture.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Pizza
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican-American
