I’m switching things up a bit this morning.
We’re not talkin’ about breakfast today. Nope, not at all. Instead, we’re gonna talk about last night’s dinner.
Eeeeek. Just looking at it again makes me excited.
So a few weeks ago, I was invited to participate in the Hodgson Mill “Build a Better Pizza” Facebook Recipe Contest. I’m always game for making pizza, so I figured, sure – why not? As a part of participating in the contest, I was sent a package of Hodgson Mill products, including Hodgson Mill whole wheat flour, organic white all-purpose flour, yellow corn meal, and yeast packets. I was good to go!
So shortly after hearing about the contest, I started talking with Jay about what type of a recipe I wanted to create for my entry. I obviously wanted to do something unique – something that nobody else would probably do. At the same time, I also wanted it to be somewhat “safe” since it had to taste amazing too.
Then one day last week, it hit me…
“I’m going to make my Chicken Parmesan Burgers into a pizza!”
So last night, I got to work. The first thing I did was make a batch of the Chicken Parmesan Burgers, but rather than make them into patties, I rolled them into meatballs.
To make the meatballs:
I rolled 24 meatballs and placed them all in a 9×13 pan sprayed with nonstick cooking spray. Cook in a 400 degrees F oven and bake for about 25 minutes, until slightly golden.
(Since the pizza only required about 8ish meatballs, we’ve still got a good amount left to have another time – score!)
Around this time, I also worked on making the dough. One of the stipulations for the contest was that the recipe needed to include a homemade crust comprised of at least 50% whole wheat flour. No problem-o.
Since I wanted to somewhat mimic my chicken burgers, I also made sure to season this crust the same way I would season my burger buns…with a little garlic and Italian seasoning. (recipe down below!)
Once the dough was made and had risen, I rolled it out onto a sheet pan while my baking stone heated up in the oven. (We like to cook our pizzas this way, since the hot stone helps make the crust a bit crispier).
Once the oven was preheated, I took out the stone and sprinkled it with yellow corn meal.
Then I transferred my prepared dough onto the hot stone, attempted to make it into somewhat of a circle, and got ready to start building.
First up: a little extra minced garlic…because we can all use a little extra garlic in our lives, right?
Next up: pizza sauce. And lots of it. We’re big fans of the stuff around here.
Next up: Play a few rounds of fetch with Cody because you’re still feeling guilty.
Next up: sprinkle a thin layer of shredded mozzarella cheese on top of your sauce. Then layer on some of your cooked and sliced chicken parm meatballs. Finish the pizza off with another layer of cheese and some dried oregano and basil. (I also sprayed my crust with a little garlic olive oil that I have, just for a little added flavor).
Pop the pizza into your preheated 400 degree F oven, and allow it to make for about 15-20 minutes, or until crust is slightly golden and cheese is melted.
Take it out of the oven, salivate like it’s nobody’s business, and cut into slices (8 for us).
Then take your slices and dive right in.
Recipe experiments always make me slightly nervous, because you just never know. Sometimes they’re a hit…sometimes they’re a major flop. Thankfully, this pizza was definitely NOT a flop.
The awesome part is that you could truly taste each and ever element of the pizza: you had the Italian garlic and herb seasoned crust, the garlicky sauce, the juicy chicken parmesan meatballs, and, of course, the cheesy mozz.
If you’ve tried the Chicken Parm Burgers – or you just love pizza – then you definitely have to give this pizza a shot.
So I’ll give you the recipe, but only if you promise to head on over to the Hodgson Mill Facebook page and “Like” my contest recipe entry! ;) (P.S. – If you vote, you get entered into winning some Hodsgon Mill gift certificates too!) You guys are the best…thanks a bunch! xoxoxo **Edited to add: For some reason, my entry isn’t showing up yet…I’ll be sure to let you know when it does. Thanks everyone for letting me know!
**Good news is that my recipe is now UP and running, so if you love me lots, feel free to CLICK HERE to vote for my yummy Deconstructed Chicken Parmesan Burger Pizza. Thanks a bunch you guys!
Deconstructed Chicken Parmesan Burger Pizza with Garlic & Herb Crust
(inspired by my Chicken Parmesan Burgers)
Garlic & Herb Crust Ingredients:
- 1 cup water (80-90 degrees F)
- 1-3/4 teaspoons Hodgson Mill active dry yeast
- 3/4 teaspoon sugar
- 1-1/2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1-1/2 teaspoons sea salt
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1-1/3 cups Hodgson Mill Organic Naturally White All-Purpose Flour
- 1-1/2 cups + 6 tablespoons Hodgson Mill Whole Wheat Flour
Pizza Ingredients:
- 1 batch Chicken Parmesan Meatballs (see directions above – you’ll need about 7-8 meatballs from the batch)
- minced garlic (to taste, or omit)
- jarred pizza sauce (about 1/2 cup, or to taste)
- mozzarella cheese (we only used about 1 – 1-1/2 cups on our pizza)
- dried oregano and basil
Directions:
**I made my dough in a bread machine, but if you don’t have one, follow these steps for the dough:
In a large bowl, combine water, yeast, sugar, and olive oil. Mix with a spoon, then let sit until foamy, about 10 minutes. Add in all of the all-purpose flour, 1-1/2 cups of the whole wheat flour, sea salt, garlic powder and Italian seasoning. Stir with a spoon until dough comes together but it still sticky. Using your hands, form the dough into a ball and work the additional 6 tablespoons of whole wheat flour (you don’t need to use all if it is not needed) in to the dough, kneading it on a floured surface for a few minutes. Rub the same bowl with olive oil then place the dough inside, turning to coat. Cover with a towel and place in a warm place to rise for about 1 1/2 hours.
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. (if using a pizza stone, place that in the oven while preheating)
After the dough has risen, punch it down and place it back on the floured surface. Using a rolling pin or your hands, form it into your desired shape. (if using a pizza stone, remove from oven, sprinkle with corn meal, and place dough onto hot stone). Build your pizza, starting with garlic, then layering on your sauce, cheese, chicken parm burger meatballs, more cheese, and seasonings.
Bake in a 400 degree F oven for 15-20 minutes, until crust is slightly golden and cheese is melted.
Cut into slices and ENJOY!
I know we sure did.
Amanda says
Yum yum yum! I’m on my way to like your entry and I think I’m going to make it this weekend! Made my mouth water!!
Natalie @ Free Range Human says
That looks delicious! And I was just about to recipe plan for the week :)
Amy @Macncheesenpeas says
Looks Delish!! this combines two of my fave foods, pizza +chicken parm! What could be better?
Yellow Haired Girl says
HOLY HANNAH. This looks incredible!!!
Kathy says
YUM….
Jai says
yummmm. This looks amazing – pizza is the ultimate fall comfort food. :)
Hope @ With A Side Of Hope says
Chicken Parm is one of my favorites and so is pizza so I can only imagine how great the two tastes together. Yummy! :)
krystal says
That sounds amazing!! Your link doesnt work though when I tried to like the page.
Megan says
That pizza looks delish! When I clicked your link to vote I couldn’t find your entry even after “liking” the Hodgson Mill page.
Sue says
I went over to vote for you but I couldn’t find your pizza. Do you know what page it is on? Thanks.
Sue
Danielle @ Itsaharleyyylife says
this looks ridiculously delicious!
Rachel says
Your pizza looks so perfect!
Beks says
That sounds amazing! I should try to make it this weekend when my sis is home. :-)
Brigitt says
Your pizza is a perfect circle!! I’m still working on that skill. I usually just shape it into a rectangle, because it’s so much easier haha.
Nicole says
That looks really good, and totally different from anything I’ve ever had! I’ve made your chicken parm burgers before, they were a big hit in our household. We’re also big fans of homemade pizzas around these parts, so I have no doubt this would be just as good… thanks so much for sharing, can’t wait to try it!
kristina says
me too! i went to vote but your pizza wasn’t there…
kim@hungryhealthygirl says
I love me some pizza and that one looks amazing!! I think I need to get a pizza stone. Definitely heading on over to vote….just by looks alone.
Caroline @ After Dinner Dance says
You’ve got me ready for dinner – this looks so delicious! Pretty too – I often can’t get a perfect pie shape like that :)
Sarah says
Whoa… are you serious? You think it’s funny to put this in our faces early in the morning when dinner is 12 hours away and to leave me standing here drooling like I’m lookin’ at a pic of the Biebs? (that was hypothetical) You owe us all a slice for that mean trick :p
Hey, guess what’s for dinner on Friday night? :) I’ll report back!
Becca says
I LOVE the burgers, so will def have to try this! I am a pizza nut! I tried to vote too, but can’t find your pizza. Will try again in a bit :)
Ally's Sweet & Savory Eats says
Too funny – I just put a poll out on my facebook page today of what I should make this week and one was a pizza and one was chicken parm baked subs…..I guess I should now combine the two!
Laurel says
Yeah, I am craving chicken parm at 11 am! YUM!!
Kerry @ Totes My Oats says
Oh man does that look amazing!!! I’m a sucker for a good pizza recipe :)
Kaitlin @4loveofcarrots says
this looks so freaking good!! Now I wish I was having this for lunch!
Amanda @ .running with spoons. says
This sounds amazing. You’ve got me craving pizza at 10 AM and I didn’t pack any for lunch :(
Blog is the New Black says
Courtney, I want to kiss you. This looks insane!!!!!!! And, I adored those burgers so I LOVE the idea of both meatballs AND this pizza.
Annette@FitnessPerks says
That looks sooooo good! I love turkey on pizza!
Sarah says
That pizza looks so yummy! I’m definitely craving it now!
Julie says
That looks so awesome! I am going to have to try it. Your crust looks so good! So circular. Every time I make pizza it is more like an oval shape or a heart.
Alysia @ Slim Sanity says
that looks sooo super fabulous! yummy.
Suzanne @ Fit MInded Mom says
Ohhhh, this looks GOOD!!!! I think I need to put a bread machine on my needed kitchen items list for recipes like this. However, you do make it sound easy enough without one. I may have to give this one a try very soon!!
Carrie @ Fitness and Frozen Grapes says
Yum, yum, yum!!
Lauren says
Courtney this looks sensational! Seriously, I’m swooning!
michelle kim says
This looks like a professionally made and photographed pizza, woman! What a fantastic idea to put meatballs on it like that! I’ll definitely have to get on that :)
Barbara says
Courtney, this pizza looks SO good! I have a question about the meatballs – did you turn them at all in the baking process or just leave them be? Thanks!
Courtney says
I just let them be (lazy!) and they were fine. I’m sure you could turn them halfway if you wanted, but they seemed to turn out a-okay!
Megan@funsizedfitness says
WOW, that looks amazing! Chicken parmesan is one of my favorite Italian dishes…and pizza’s one of my favorite foods!
Ashlee says
YUM! I love making pizza on a grill stone or oven stone, but I always run into one problemo…How do you get the pizza onto a HOT stone?! I can’t figure out how to “safely” take a hot stone out of the oven OR transfer a raw pizza onto a stone in the oven without messing up the pizza? Hmmm. I’d love to know your tip!
Courtney says
Once the stone was hot, I took it out of the oven and put it on a big hot plate. Then I transferred over the dough (which was very easy to work with) and quickly spread it over the stone. Since the dough was already rolled out on the other pan, it just basically needed to be fitted to the edges. It’s actually pretty easy!
Ashlee says
Ahhh! Ya know, I probably could’ve answered my own question if I would’ve paid closer attention to your instructions! I ‘ve always topped my pizza BEFORE transferring! Duhhhh Ashlee! Thanks :-)
Juile says
that looks ahhhh-mazing!!!! i love making homemade pizza and this recipe is one i will have to try! very creative, courtney! :D
Raychel says
That looks SO STINKIN’ GOOD! I’m definitely saving this one to try later! :)
Brandi says
Holy goodness that looks good!
Life's a Bowl says
This looks fantastic, deliciously yummy!!! I’ve never made homemade dough but love TJ’s whole wheat dough- probs will cheat and use that and then add the rest of the toppings… Semi-homemade?! ;)
Eva @ Committed2Nutrition says
HOLY AMAZING this looks awesome. I just made chicken burgers for the first time last night and loved them… I am scared at failing when it comes to making home-made pizza crust, but it doesn’t look all THAT hard.. just some time needed. You rock for this :)
Michelle@Peachy Palate says
Wowsers! I’m drooling over the dough alone! I love adding cornmeal to a pizza base, gives it an extra special touch! Pinning for the dough recipe! :)
Alicia Orozco says
I need to get a new stove but as soon as I do…well I know what I am going to break it in with!
Good Luck on the contest!
Gina @ Health, Love, and Chocolate says
Looks great, I just voted!
Alison says
Oh my gosh, you are a genius!! This looks amazing! :D
Bek @ Crave says
Good luck Courtney- I’ll get voting :) Looks great ;) And original!
Holly says
So I CANNOT wait to make this recipe! I don’t know if I will be brave enough to make my own crust, but I will definitely be trying this!!
Elizabeth says
I was snooping around for something to do with my chicken Breasts and I came across chicken parmesan. I have to admit I have never ate it before! ;) my husband usually will order it or a steak at a restaurant while I have all the seafood! ( he has allergies…I know I feel for the man..poor guy)! Anyways, I came across this! I thought to myself! That sounds absolutely delicious! Imma surprise hubby tonight! We just ate and let me tell ya he said that was a close #1 pizza I make! (Sorry my #1 is a steakhouse pizza) ;) but he said this is so good! He ate half of the pizza plus a slice! I could not keep from smiling a “big cheese” at him saying “I know! It’s a keeper! ” although I did make a few changes….I used all fresh herbs in the meatball mixture, added an egg and some more breadcrumbs then sauteed the meatballs in a garlic and herb butter mixture! Simply delicious! I also used fresh precut mozzarella with paper thin slices of red onion, green pepper and a few black olives and when done I added torn basil on top! Oooh! On top of my marinara sauce I added sliced cherry tomatoes! I know it isn’t the exact…but that is what’s great about this! You can add more and it will still be divine! The best part was the delicious Meatballs! I will be making the sandwich next! Hubby said he can’t wait! ;) thank you giving me a lucky night tonight! ;)
Courtney says
Wow, haha I’m so glad you and hubby liked it, Elizabeth! Thanks for sharing :)