Chicken tikka pizza

 Chicken Tikka Pizza

Ingredients

 For Chicken Tikka:

- 250 g boneless chicken, cut into cubes

- 2 tbsp yogurt

- 1 tbsp lemon juice

- 1 tsp ginger-garlic paste

- 1 tsp red chili powder

- 1/2 tsp turmeric powder

- 1 tsp cumin powder

- 1 tsp coriander powder

- 1 tsp garam masala

- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika (optional for smokiness)

- Salt, to taste

- 1 tbsp oil

For the Dough:

-1 cup of warm water or as need

-2 teaspoons of sugar

-1 tablespoon of active dry yeast

-3 1/2 cups of all-purpose flour

-1 teaspoon of salt

-2 tablespoons of olive oil

 Or  store-bought pizza base

For Pizza Sauce:

- 1/2 cup tomato sauce or marinara

- 1 tbsp olive oil

- 1 clove garlic, minced

- 1/2 tsp red chili flakes

- 1/2 tsp dried oregano or Italian seasoning

- Salt and pepper, to taste

Toppings

- 1 cup mozzarella cheese, grated

- 1/2 cup onions, thinly sliced

- 1/2 cup bell peppers (any color), thinly sliced

- 1/2 cup tomatoes, deseeded and sliced

- Fresh cilantro leaves for garnish

Instructions

Prepare the Chicken Tikka

 In a bowl, mix yogurt, lemon juice, ginger-garlic paste, and spices (chili powder, turmeric, cumin, coriander, garam masala, and paprika).

Add chicken cubes to the marinade. Coat well, cover, and let it marinate for at least 30 minutes (or up to 4 hours in the fridge).

Heat 1 tbsp oil in a pan and cook the marinated chicken on medium heat until fully cooked and slightly charred. Set aside.

Dough

Activate the yeast: In a large bowl, combine the warm water, sugar, and yeast. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes until the yeast is activated and foamy.

Mix the dough: Add the flour, salt, and olive oil to the bowl. Mix the dough until it comes together in a sticky ball.

Knead the dough: Knead the dough on a floured surface for 5-10 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic.

Let it rise: Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a damp cloth, and let it rise in a warm place for 1-2 hours until it has doubled in size.

 

Prepare Pizza Sauce

Heat olive oil in a pan, add minced garlic, and sauté until fragrant.

Add tomato sauce, chili flakes, oregano, salt, and pepper. Cook for 2-3 minutes. Let it cool.

Assemble the Pizza

Preheat your oven to 200°C (400°F).

Punch down the risen dough  and divide it into 2-4 equal portions, depending on the size of pizza you want to make.

 Roll out each portion of the dough into a thin circle, about 1/4 inch thick.

Spread the pizza sauce evenly over the base.

Sprinkle a layer of mozzarella cheese.

 Add chicken tikka pieces, onions, bell peppers, and tomatoes as toppings.

Add another layer of cheese if desired.

Bake

Place the pizza on a baking sheet or pizza stone and bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the crust is golden and the cheese is bubbly.

Garnish and Serve

Garnish with fresh cilantro leaves.

Slice and serve hot with a side of mint chutney or your favorite dipping sauce.