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Tandoori Chicken Pizza from Scratch Recipe

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3.9 from 11 reviews

This Tandoori Chicken Pizza from scratch combines the rich, smoky flavors of marinated tandoori chicken with a house-made pizza crust and a spicy, savory tomato sauce. The recipe includes detailed steps for preparing the tandoori chicken topping, fermenting the flavorful dough, crafting a vibrant and aromatic tomato sauce, and assembling everything into a homemade pizza. The result is a unique fusion dish that brings Indian-inspired spices to a classic Italian favorite, perfect for a delicious dinner serving eight.

Ingredients

Tandoori Chicken Marinade

  • 1 chicken breast, cut into thin, small bite-sized pieces
  • 1/4 cup plain, whole milk yogurt
  • 1/2 tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • 1/2 tbsp crushed garlic or paste
  • 1/2 tbsp crushed ginger or paste
  • 1 tbsp neutral oil such as canola or grapeseed
  • 1-2 tsp tomato paste
  • 1/2 tsp sea salt (adjust based on tandoori masala spice level)
  • 1 tbsp tandoori masala powder
  • 1 tsp paprika powder

Pizza Dough

  • 2 ½ cups bread flour (or unbleached all-purpose flour)
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp sugar
  • 1 cup warm water (100-110°F)
  • 1 standard packet active dry yeast

Tomato Pizza Sauce

  • 1 28-oz (794g) can Italian Whole Peeled San Marzano Tomatoes (or equal fresh tomatoes)
  • 1 small onion
  • 1 small green chili pepper (e.g. Serrano)
  • 2-3 garlic cloves
  • 1 medium bay leaf
  • 2-3 tbsp tomato paste
  • 1 tsp sugar
  • 1 tsp sea salt
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 1/2 tsp dried Italian seasoning or basil
  • 1/2-1 tsp tandoori masala powder
  • 1/4 tsp each cumin powder, coriander powder, black pepper powder, red chili flakes (adjust to taste)
  • 2 tbsp olive oil

Assembly and Toppings

  • 2 prepared pizza crusts (from dough recipe)
  • Prepared tandoori chicken pieces
  • Prepared pizza sauce
  • 2 cups quality mozzarella cheese or blend of preferred cheeses
  • Additional sliced toppings such as red bell pepper, green bell pepper, and red onion

Instructions

  1. Marinate Chicken: Combine the chicken pieces with yogurt, lemon juice, garlic, ginger, neutral oil, tomato paste, salt, tandoori masala, and paprika. Mix well and marinate for at least 30 minutes, preferably up to overnight for deeper flavor.
  2. Cook Tandoori Chicken: Preheat your oven broiler to high (around 550ºF/288ºC). Line a sheet pan with foil. Thread chicken pieces on skewers or arrange in an even layer on the pan. Broil the chicken for 5 minutes, flip, and broil an additional 4 minutes aiming for a tandoor-like char without burning. Cover and set aside.
  3. Prepare Pizza Dough: In a small bowl, combine warm water with yeast and sugar; let it sit 5-10 minutes until foamy. In a mixer with dough attachment (or by hand), combine flour, salt, and olive oil. Gradually add yeast mixture while kneading until dough is smooth and elastic, adding water if needed. Cover tightly and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour or until doubled in size.
  4. Shape Dough: After rising, punch down the dough and knead briefly. On a floured surface, roll into two 8 to 10-inch pizzas with slightly thicker edges for the crust. Poke small slits into the dough base for even baking. Cover with towel or plastic wrap until ready to assemble.
  5. Make Tomato Sauce: Blend tomatoes, onion, and green chili in a food processor until smooth. Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat, sauté garlic until browned and aromatic (~20-30 seconds). Add tomato blend, tomato paste, sugar, salt, oregano, Italian seasoning, tandoori masala, and ground spices. Simmer covered for 25-30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thickened and well cooked. Remove bay leaf before use.
  6. Preheat Oven: Set oven to 450°F (230°C). Line two sheet pans with foil for baking the pizzas.
  7. Assemble Pizzas: Spread prepared tomato sauce evenly on the crusts. Add a generous layer of mozzarella cheese, then arrange the broiled tandoori chicken pieces and sliced vegetables over the top.
  8. Bake Pizza: Bake each pizza for about 15 minutes until the crust is golden and the cheese has melted. Optionally broil for a few minutes at the end to enhance the tandoor effect.
  9. Serve and Store: Serve hot immediately. For reheating, use the oven to retain crust texture rather than a microwave.

Notes

  • Ensure the yeast mixture is properly foamy before adding to flour; if not, the dough won’t rise.
  • Adjust the quantity of tandoori masala powder based on your spice preference.
  • Broiling the chicken creates a tandoor-like finish, so watch closely to avoid burning.
  • Use Skewers for authentic grilling effect of the chicken pieces, if available.
  • For fresh tomatoes in the sauce, you may need to add water and extend cooking time to reach desired consistency.
  • This pizza is best reheated in an oven to maintain a crisp crust.
  • You can customize additional vegetable toppings according to preference.

Find it online: https://marthatasty.com/tandoori-chicken-pizza-from-scratch-recipe/