Ingredients
1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into 1/2-inch to 1-inch pieces
1/2 cup dill pickle juice (from a jar of dill pickles)
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
Pinch of black pepper
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 pound pizza dough (store-bought or homemade)
1/2 cup pizza sauce
1.5 cups shredded low-moisture mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup shredded provolone cheese
2 tablespoons fresh dill, chopped (plus more for garnish)
Optional: 1/4 cup thinly sliced dill pickles (from the same jar)
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Chicken. Cut boneless, skinless chicken (breasts or thighs) into 1/2-inch to 1-inch bite-sized pieces. Place them in a medium bowl.
Step 2: Marinate the Chicken. Pour dill pickle juice over the chicken. Add garlic powder, onion powder, and a pinch of black pepper. Stir well to ensure all chicken pieces are coated. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 4 hours for best results.
Step 3: Prepare Your Pizza Dough. If using store-bought dough, remove it from the refrigerator about 30-60 minutes before you plan to bake, allowing it to come to room temperature. This makes it much easier to stretch. If making your own, prepare it according to your favorite recipe.
Step 4: Preheat Your Oven and Pizza Stone/Steel. Preheat your oven to its highest setting (usually 475-500°F or 245-260°C) with a pizza stone or steel inside, if you have one. Allow it to preheat for at least 30-45 minutes to ensure it’s screaming hot. If you don't have a stone, an inverted baking sheet works too.
Step 5: Cook the Marinated Chicken. While the oven preheats, heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Remove the chicken from the marinade (discarding the excess liquid) and cook until lightly browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Set aside.
Step 6: Assemble Your Pizza. Lightly flour a pizza peel or a large cutting board. Carefully stretch or roll out your pizza dough to your desired thickness and shape. Transfer the dough to the prepared peel. Spread a thin layer of pizza sauce over the dough, leaving a 1/2-inch border for the crust. Distribute the cooked pickle juice marinated chicken evenly over the sauce, followed by shredded mozzarella and shredded provolone. Finish with a sprinkle of freshly chopped fresh dill and a few thin slices of dill pickles (if using).
Step 7: Bake the Pizza. Carefully slide the pizza onto the preheated pizza stone or baking sheet in the oven. Bake for 10-15 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is bubbly and slightly caramelized.
Step 8: Finish and Serve. Remove the pizza from the oven. Let it rest for a minute or two before slicing and serving. Garnish with more fresh dill or a drizzle of ranch dressing, if desired. Enjoy!
Notes
For best flavor, ensure the chicken marinates for at least 2 hours. Use good quality dill pickle juice, not sweet or bread-and-butter pickles. Serving with a side of ranch or blue cheese dressing can further enhance the tangy flavors.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Dishes & Savory Recipes
- Cuisine: American, Fusion
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/8th of a 14-inch pizza)
- Calories: 480 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 950 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0.1 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg