Chicken Fajita Pizza

When everything sounds good for dinner, sometimes the only way to decide is with a delicious mashup. Chicken fajita pizza is a colorful and zesty recipe that combines all the smoky, sizzling flavors of chicken fajitas with the melty, gooey goodness of pizza. Tender chicken, sweet peppers, onions, cheese and a kick of salsa are all piled on a golden crust. It’s spicy, savory and fast, thanks to refrigerated pizza crust and quick-cooking chicken breasts. It’s also versatile with variations galore—add more vegetables, seasonings and other toppings to your heart’s content.

Ingredients for Chicken Fajita Pizza

• Refrigerated pizza crust: Using store-bought refrigerated pizza dough saves time and ensures your crust bakes evenly. It’s the perfect foundation for all your fajita-inspired toppings.
• Boneless skinless chicken breasts: Chicken breasts cook quickly and stay tender when cut into thin strips.
• Canola oil: A neutral cooking oil like canola oil keeps the chicken and vegetables from sticking to the pan and won’t overpower the other flavors.
• Onion and peppers: Slightly caramelized onion is key to that signature fajita flavor. Red and green bell peppers add color and a natural sweetness that pairs wonderfully with smoky spices.
• Spices: Chili powder and cumin add smoky, spicy warmth to the pizza toppings.
• Garlic: Minced garlic adds a sharp, savory kick and brightness to our fajita pizza.
• Chunky salsa: Chunky salsa keeps the filling moist and adds a little tangy zip with bits of tomato and onion.
• Mexican cheese blend: Mexican cheese blend usually contains Monterey Jack, cheddar and asadero. It melts beautifully and turns irresistibly gooey without being too heavy.
• Fresh cilantro: Cilantro adds a fresh, herbal note, making the pizza look even more vibrant. If your crowd thinks cilantro tastes like soap, try parsley or basil.
• Optional toppings: Serve sour cream and more salsa alongside the fajita pizza.

Directions

Step 1: Prebake the crust

Unroll the crust into a 15x10x1-inch baking pan coated with cooking spray. Flatten and slightly build up the edge of the crust. Bake at 425°F until the edge is lightly browned, 8 to 10 minutes.

Editor’s Tip: This prebaking step ensures your crust stays crisp even under all those juicy toppings. If your dough isn’t flattening and snaps back, let it sit for 10 to 15 minutes and try again.

Step 2: Cook the chicken

Meanwhile, in a large skillet coated with cooking spray, cook the chicken over medium heat in 1/2 teaspoon of oil until it’s no longer pink, four to six minutes. Remove it from the pan and keep it warm.

Step 3: Saute the veggies

In the same pan, saute the onion, red pepper, green pepper, chili powder and cumin in the remaining 1/2 teaspoon of oil. Cook until the vegetables are crisp-tender, about three to four minutes. Stir in the garlic and cook for an additional minute. Stir in the chicken and salsa.

Step 4: Assemble and bake

Sprinkle half of the cheese over the prebaked crust. Top it with the chicken and veggie mixture, then sprinkle on the remaining cheese.

Bake the fajita pizza until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is melted and bubbly, about 8 to 10 minutes. Sprinkle it with fresh cilantro before serving, and offer sour cream and extra salsa on the side if desired.

Chicken Fajita Pizza Variations

• Switch the protein: Use thinly sliced steak strips in place of the chicken and cook them just until they’re medium-rare for a hearty twist. Shrimp fajita pizza is another option.
• Make it veggie: For a meatless option, leave out the chicken and load up on mushrooms, zucchini or black beans.
• Spice it up: Add some sliced jalapenos or a pinch of crushed red pepper to the veggie mixture if you like it hot.

How to Store Chicken Fajita Pizza

To store chicken fajita pizza, let it cool to room temperature, then store slices in an airtight container in the fridge. They’ll last up to four days.

Can you freeze chicken fajita pizza?

Yes, you can freeze chicken fajita pizza. Wrap individual slices in foil and store them in a freezer-safe bag or container for up to two months.

How should you reheat chicken fajita pizza?

Reheat chicken fajita pizza in a 350° oven for about 8 to 10 minutes or until it’s hot and crispy. Microwaving pizza is fast, but it makes the dough soft. You can also use a toaster oven to reheat chicken fajita pizza.

Chicken Fajita Pizza Tips

Can you use homemade pizza dough for chicken fajita pizza?

Yes, you can use homemade pizza dough for chicken fajita pizza. If you’re in the habit of making extra pizza dough every time, store a ball in the freezer for another pizza night down the road.

What can you serve with chicken fajita pizza?

Keeping one foot in Italy and another in Mexico means that almost anything can be paired with fajita pizza. Serve a caprese salad next to a bowl of homemade guacamole and tortilla chips or elotes. For extra international flair, finish meal with flan and a glass of Tuscan red.