Fiery Firewood Chicken Pizza - A Spicy Delight!

Fiery Firewood Chicken Pizza - A Spicy Delight!

Introduction:

Firewood chicken pizza is a tantalizing twist on the classic Italian favorite. The smoky flavor imparted by cooking the pizza over an open flame gives it a unique and irresistible taste. Topped with succulent marinated chicken, a medley of vegetables, and a blend of cheeses, this pizza is a must-try for pizza and barbecue lovers alike. In this blog post, I'll guide you through an easy-to-follow recipe for making a mouthwatering firewood chicken pizza that will leave your guests asking for seconds!

Ingredients:

For the Pizza Dough:

- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

- 1 teaspoon instant yeast

- 1 cup warm water

- 2 tablespoons olive oil

- 1 teaspoon sugar

- 1 teaspoon salt

For the Chicken Marinade:

- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, thinly sliced

- 3 tablespoons barbecue sauce

- 1 tablespoon olive oil

- 1 teaspoon paprika

- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

- Salt and black pepper to taste

For the Pizza Toppings:

- 1 cup pizza sauce (store-bought or homemade)

- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

- 1/2 red bell pepper, thinly sliced

- 1/2 yellow bell pepper, thinly sliced

- 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced

- 1 jalapeno pepper, thinly sliced (adjust to your preferred spiciness)

- Fresh cilantro leaves for garnish

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Chicken Marinade:

   - In a mixing bowl, combine the barbecue sauce, olive oil, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper.

   - Add the thinly sliced chicken to the marinade and toss until the chicken is evenly coated. Cover the bowl and let it marinate in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes.

2. Make the Pizza Dough:

   - In a large bowl, combine the warm water, instant yeast, and sugar. Let it sit for about 5 minutes until the yeast becomes frothy.

   - Add the olive oil and salt to the yeast mixture.

   - Gradually add the all-purpose flour, mixing with a spoon until the dough starts to come together.

   - Transfer the dough onto a floured surface and knead for about 5-7 minutes until you get a smooth and elastic dough.

   - Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover it with a damp cloth, and let it rise in a warm place for 1 to 1.5 hours until it doubles in size.

3. Prepare the Firewood Oven or Grill:

   - If using a firewood oven, start the fire and let it burn until you have a bed of hot coals. Push the coals to one side to create a hot zone and a cooler zone.

   - If using a grill, preheat it to high heat and create a direct heat zone and an indirect heat zone.

4. Grill the Marinated Chicken:

   - Place the marinated chicken slices on the hot zone of the firewood oven or grill.

   - Cook the chicken for about 2-3 minutes on each side until it gets grill marks and is cooked through. Remove the chicken from the heat and set it aside.

5. Roll Out the Pizza Dough:

   - Preheat your firewood oven or grill to around 500°F (260°C) for a crispy crust.

   - On a floured surface, roll out the pizza dough to your desired thickness and shape. Transfer the rolled-out dough to a pizza peel or a flat surface for easy transferring to the oven or grill.

6. Assemble the Firewood Chicken Pizza:

   - Spread the pizza sauce evenly over the pizza dough, leaving a small border for the crust.

   - Sprinkle half of the shredded mozzarella cheese over the sauce.

   - Add the grilled chicken and arrange the sliced bell peppers, red onions, and jalapeno peppers on top.

   - Sprinkle the remaining shredded mozzarella cheese over the toppings.

7. Cook the Pizza Over Firewood:

   - Carefully slide the assembled pizza onto the hot zone of the firewood oven or grill.

   - Close the lid of the firewood oven or cover the grill to create an oven-like environment.

   - Cook the pizza for about 8-10 minutes or until the crust is golden and the cheese is melted and bubbly.

8. Garnish and Serve:

   - Remove the firewood chicken pizza from the oven or grill using a pizza peel or a large spatula.

   - Garnish with fresh cilantro leaves for an added burst of flavor and color.

   - Slice the pizza, serve it hot, and watch your family and friends indulge in the fiery goodness!

Conclusion:

Firewood chicken pizza brings together the smoky taste of open-flame cooking with the classic comfort of pizza. This delectable dish is perfect for any gathering, and you can customize the toppings to suit your taste preferences. Fire up your oven or grill and enjoy the fusion of barbeque and pizza flavors in this sizzling treat!