Chicken Caesar Salad Pizza



We eat a lot of pizza. It is that easy, go-to dinner when we are running late. It can be picked up at the local pizzeria, prepared with a premade crust such as Boboli, or come from the frozen foods section of the grocery store (only when desperate though).

I grew up on Barone's Pizza. The pizza of choice was a not too thin crust pizza loaded with sausage, mushrooms and cheese. A trip into Chicago always included a stop at Uno's for the best deep dish pizza around. When we moved to New Jersey, I was introduced to East Coast pizza. It is a huge, thin crust pizza which most people order with only cheese. This type of pizza seemed a little strange to me because it was lacking in the girth I was used to with my Chicago pizzas. I have learned to like Jersey pizza. I am not sure if there will ever be a love affair between us.

More times than I can count, I have made thin crust pizza and deep dish pizza. As we are in the midst of our 4th consecutive day of 90 degree temperatures, I decided to try a Chicken Caesar Salad Pizza which would not be as heavy as the typical cheesy pizza.


I started with my favorite pizza dough recipe, but you could use a premade crust too. Topped with Caesar dressing, Parmesan and mozzarella cheeses, grilled chicken and romaine lettuce, this pizza was a welcome change from most pizzas we eat.


On this night, I was the only diner at our dinner table. After a doctor's appointment for My Oldest and her 4 hour driver's education lesson, various friends of my kids visiting throughout the day, a thunderstorm, a meeting with a new client, a drive across town to drop off My Middle One at a sleepover, and sending No Thank You Boy and The Husband off to football practice, I relish the quiet time. I enjoyed the crisp salad topping the hot, cheesy pizza. And the accompanying glass of chardonnay wasn't too bad either.

I will be adding this pizza recipe to my files.




Chicken Caesar Salad Pizza

pizza dough* for 1 crust or a premade crust such as Boboli

*this recipe makes about 6 crusts

3 - 4 tablespoons cup Caesar salad dressing, divided
1/3 cup shredded Parmesan cheese, divided
1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
about 1 cup cooked chicken strips, preferably grilled
1 heaping cup of shredded romaine lettuce
freshly ground black pepper

Preheat oven to 450 degrees.

In using fresh pizza dough, roll it out to a 12-inch circle. Place on a baking sheet or pizza stone. Bake for 8 - 10 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from oven. If using a premade crust, just place it on a baking sheet. There is no need to bake it.

Brush crush with about 2 tablespoons of the dressing and top with 1/4 cup of the Parmesan cheese and the mozzarella cheese. Top with the chicken and return the crust to the oven. Bake for about 5 - 8 minutes or until the cheese is melted. Remove from the oven and place on a cutting board.

In a bowl, toss the lettuce with about 1 tablespoon of the dressing and the 2 tablespoons of Parmesan cheese. Top pizza with the salad and cut into wedges. Top with freshly ground pepper if desired. Serve immediately.

Print recipe

19 comments:

Aggie said...

That looks great!!

Valerie Harrison (bellini) said...

I will add this to my files as well!!!!Pizza is always good but when it is lightened up it has to be in my
files.

MaryBeth said...

YUMM-O...I could so eat this pizza, this is my all time favorite salad to have and seeing with chicken on top of the pizza is simply mouthwatering.

Patsyk said...

what a fabulous idea! I love caesar salad, and to put it on pizza is perfect!

Jan said...

Yum! That pizza looks GOOD!

Denise said...

I love salad pizza, its one os myfaves, this looks sooo good and light for a hot summer day.

kat said...

I so want to like this kind of pizza but I end up having a weird thing about cold lettuce on hot pizza, I'm strange I guess

Martha said...

Your evening alone with the pizza and glass of wine sounds divine! Good looking pizza, too. That's my kind of pie.

Daziano said...

Salad? On a pizza? Interesting!!!

Alidaughter said...

From one Barone's fan to another! I grew up in Brookfield with the Barones. LOL What a small world.

I LOVE your blog! Thanks for the great recipes!

Cara said...

Love salad on pizza! One of my favorites is the tostada pizza from CPK.

Anonymous said...

Um, love pizza! Making your own dough saves so much money!

Robin said...

I love salad atop pizza, a delicious and complete meal!

Anonymous said...

This is going to be my pizza Friday night - great idea!

I do a Mexican pizza where I use fat free refried beans mixed with enchilada sauce as the base.

Layer with cooked chicken, corn, black beans and pepper jack cheese. When it comes out of the oven, I let it sit a few minutes then sprinkle with shredded lettuce - I think you'd like it!

teresa said...

this is getting promptly bookmarked. pizza and cesar salad, what a great combo!

Creative Classroom Core said...

I love the lettuce on this - so cool and tasty!

Boracay hotel rooms said...

This looks great! chicken salad pizza topped with shredded lettuce... Perfect! What a great idea.

George@CulinaryTravels said...

This is very interesting. Great idea.

Buffy Alten said...

This is great, and I have made it about 3 times. Tasty and easy!

Note: I wish more people would comment AFTER they have made some of your wonderful recipes! :)