CHICKEN and SPINACH PIZZA
1 refrigerated tube pizza crust (I used a thin crust Boboli)
HOMEMADE ALFREDO SAUCE (NOTE: If you don't want to make this easy sauce, you can use about 1/2 to 3/4 cup alfredo sauce from a jar ~ OR ~ spread on RANCH or Creamy CAESAR SALAD DRESSING instead! If you don't make your own sauce, then just sprinkle the red pepper, Parmesan cheese and herbs on the top of the salad dressing, using 1 tsp. garlic powder instead of crushed garlic) *
1 TB extra-virgin olive oil…………………………...2 tsp. crushed or minced garlic
2 TB flour………………………………………………1 tsp. Kosher salt
1/4 tsp. crushed red pepper ……………………….3/4 cup milk
1 tsp. EACH fresh chopped rosemary AND thyme (or 1/2 tsp. each dried leaves)
1/2 cup fresh grated Parmesan or Italian blend cheese
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enough fresh spinach to cover the whole pizza (or more, if you like)
1-1/2 cups shredded cooked chicken, skin removed (I used about 3 big thighs)
1/4 cup thinly sliced red or white onion
1/2 cup grated mozzarella cheese
NOTE: If you use a refrigerated tube of pizza dough, you may be able to stretch it so that it's bigger than the Boboli crust. If so, you will probably use the larger amount of sauce (whether homemade or salad dressing) and may want to increase the chicken and cheese amounts. Do what works for you! There's no right or wrong with this recipe.
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Preheat oven to 450. If you’re using a refrigerated pizza crust, spread it out on a very lightly sprayed pizza pan or baking sheet. Lightly rub with an additional 1-2 tsp. extra-virgin olive oil (not included in list above) and bake for about 10 min.
Meanwhile, if you're making a homemade sauce: heat the olive oil in medium saucepan over medium heat. Stir in the garlic and cook for 30 seconds. Add flour, salt and pepper; cook for about 1 minute, stirring constantly. Then, gradually whisk in the milk, whisking constantly for about 2-3 minutes or until bubbly. Remove pan from the heat and add the Parmesan and herbs, stirring until melted. (If the sauce is too thick, whisk in about 1-2 TB more milk.)
Spread the cheese sauce (OR, if using salad dressing ~ see NOTE above) onto the pizza crust and top with the spinach, chicken and onion. Then sprinkle on the mozzarella cheese.
Bake for about 10-15 minutes or until the cheese is melted and the crust is golden.
I like to sprinkle more crushed red pepper on top of the baked pizza, but my husband doesn't like it that spicy.