How to Make the Perfect Tikka Masala Pizza
Indian-Italian Fusion · Medium · 45 min · 4 servings
A crispy pizza crust is slathered with creamy tikka masala sauce and topped with tender tandoori spiced chicken, red onions, and fresh cilantro. This Indo-Italian fusion brings the warm aromatics of Indian cuisine to your favorite pizza night.
Why this recipe works
This Tikka Masala Pizza recipe has been crafted to deliver restaurant-quality results in your home kitchen. At just 45 minutes from start to finish, it fits perfectly into a busy schedule without sacrificing flavor. Each serving comes in at 540 calories with 28g of protein, making it a balanced choice for any meal.
What you will need
This recipe uses 6 simple ingredients that you can find at any grocery store:
- 1 whole store bought pizza dough ball at room temperature
- 300 grams chicken breast cut into small chunks
- 1 cup tikka masala sauce jarred or homemade
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 small red onion thinly sliced
- 0.25 cup fresh cilantro leaves roughly chopped
Step by step instructions
Step 1: Cook the Chicken
Toss chicken chunks with 1 teaspoon each of garam masala, cumin, and paprika along with a pinch of salt. Heat a skillet over medium high heat with a drizzle of oil and cook the seasoned chicken for 6 to 8 minutes until golden and cooked through. Remove from heat and set aside. The chicken does not need to be perfect at this stage as it will finish cooking in the oven.
Step 2: Preheat and Stretch the Dough
Place your oven rack in the lowest position and preheat the oven to 230 degrees Celsius or 450 degrees Fahrenheit. If you have a pizza stone place it in the oven now. Lightly flour a clean work surface and stretch the pizza dough into a 30 centimeter round shape using your hands. Transfer the dough to a parchment lined baking sheet or a preheated pizza stone.
Step 3: Top the Pizza
Spread the tikka masala sauce evenly over the dough leaving a 2 centimeter border for the crust. Scatter the cooked chicken chunks evenly over the sauce. Distribute the sliced red onion over the chicken and then cover everything with an even layer of shredded mozzarella cheese. Make sure the cheese reaches all the way to the edges of the sauce.
Step 4: Bake and Garnish
Bake the pizza on the lowest rack for 12 to 15 minutes until the crust is golden brown on the bottom and the cheese is bubbling and beginning to brown in spots. Remove from the oven and let it rest for 2 minutes before slicing. Scatter the fresh cilantro over the top just before serving so the herbs remain bright and fragrant.
Easy substitutions
Missing an ingredient? Here are some swaps that work perfectly:
- chicken breast → canned chickpeas drained and rinsed for a vegetarian protein alternative
- store bought pizza dough → large naan bread for a quicker version that does not require stretching or long baking
Common mistakes to avoid
Watch out for these pitfalls that can affect your results:
- Spreading the tikka masala sauce too thick which creates a soggy pizza that cannot be lifted without it drooping
- Not preheating the oven long enough resulting in a pale undercooked crust that is doughy in the center
Nutrition facts
Per serving: 540 calories, 28g protein, 62g carbs, 19g fat, 4g fiber.
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