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Cozy Chicken Marsala Pizza Recipe Easy Homemade Crispy Golden Crust

Chicken Marsala Pizza - featured image

A comforting and easy-to-make pizza featuring tender chicken marsala, earthy mushrooms, and a crispy golden crust, perfect for cozy nights and crowd-pleasing meals.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 ยฝ cups (300g) all-purpose flour, preferably unbleached
  • 2 ยผ tsp instant yeast (one packet)
  • 1 cup (240ml) warm water, about 110ยฐF (43ยฐC)
  • 2 tbsp (30ml) olive oil, plus extra for greasing and brushing
  • 1 tsp (5g) salt
  • 1 tsp (4g) sugar
  • 2 medium boneless, skinless chicken breasts, thinly sliced or pounded flat
  • 8 oz (225g) cremini mushrooms, sliced
  • 1 small shallot, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • ยฝ cup (120ml) dry Marsala wine
  • ยฝ cup (120ml) low sodium chicken broth
  • 2 tbsp (28g) unsalted butter
  • 1 tbsp (15ml) olive oil
  • 1 tsp (1g) fresh thyme or ยฝ tsp dried thyme
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 1 ยฝ cups (170g) shredded mozzarella cheese (whole milk preferred)
  • ยผ cup (25g) freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
  • Optional: red pepper flakes for a little heat

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Dough: In a large bowl, combine flour, instant yeast, salt, and sugar. Mix briefly. Add warm water and olive oil. Stir until dough starts to come together. Knead by hand on a lightly floured surface for 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic, or knead with a stand mixer dough hook on medium speed for 5-6 minutes. Place dough in an oiled bowl, cover with a damp cloth, and let rise in a warm spot for 1 hour or until doubled in size.
  2. Cook the Chicken Marsala Topping: Heat olive oil and butter in a sautรฉ pan over medium heat. Add shallots and garlic; cook until fragrant and translucent, about 2 minutes. Add mushrooms and cook until softened and browned, 5-7 minutes. Push mushrooms aside, add chicken slices, season with salt and pepper, and cook until just opaque, about 4 minutes. Pour in Marsala wine and chicken broth, scraping browned bits from the pan. Simmer until sauce thickens slightly, about 8 minutes. Stir in thyme and…
  3. Preheat Oven and Prepare Crust: Preheat oven to 475ยฐF (245ยฐC). Punch down the risen dough and roll out on a floured surface into a 12-inch (30cm) circle. Transfer dough to a cast iron skillet or pizza stone. Brush dough lightly with olive oil.
  4. Par-Bake the Crust: Bake the plain dough for 7-8 minutes until it just starts to turn golden but is not fully cooked. This prevents sogginess.
  5. Assemble the Pizza: Remove par-baked crust from oven. Spread chicken marsala mixture evenly over the base without overloading. Sprinkle shredded mozzarella evenly over the top, followed by grated Parmesan.
  6. Bake the Pizza: Return pizza to oven and bake for 10-12 minutes until cheese is melted, bubbly, and starting to brown, and crust is deeply golden and crisp at edges.
  7. Finish and Serve: Remove pizza from oven, sprinkle with fresh parsley and optional red pepper flakes. Let rest for 3-5 minutes before slicing to allow sauce to settle.

Notes

Par-baking the crust is essential to avoid sogginess. Cook chicken and mushrooms without overcrowding the pan to achieve caramelization. Use a cast iron skillet or pizza stone for best crust results. Let pizza rest before slicing to keep sauce from running. For gluten-free or dairy-free options, substitute flour and butter/cheese accordingly. Adding garlic-infused olive oil before serving enhances flavor.

Nutrition

Keywords: Chicken Marsala pizza, crispy pizza crust, homemade pizza, easy pizza recipe, comfort food, Marsala wine sauce, mushroom pizza, weeknight dinner