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This high protein pizza made with a chicken crust is the perfect answer to pizza night for those that have health goals they still want to crush. This isn’t low calorie but it is very high protein and relatively low carb. The recipe is very versatile and allows you to add whatever toppings you love. Because the crust is made out of chicken, even making a cheese pizza will render a lot more protein.
The Crust
The crust is made out of ground chicken, an egg, shredded parmesan cheese and seasoning. If you’ve tried making chicken crust in the past and weren’t a fan, neither was I. I can’t recall the exact method or ingredients I used but it didn’t turn out anywhere near as good as this chicken crust recipe. You must get ground chicken in the meat section and not canned chicken you find next to canned tuna. The next biggest tip is spreading the crust out thin enough. Spread it out the entire width and length of the half size sheet pan. The pan must be lined with parchment paper or a silicone mat.
The Toppings
I highly recommend using Rao’s marinara. Chicken crust can lean on the dry side and you need enough sauce to balance that out. I found using a cup of Rao’s was the perfect amount. Part-skim mozzarella will save you calories and has better macros without sacrificing taste. I also recommend turkey pepperoni over traditional to save calories. They taste almost identical. The rest of the toppings are up to you. Use whatever you like. However, if you’ve never tried drizzling honey or hot honey on pizza you’re in a for a treat. I can’t eat it any other way now.
High Protein Pepperoni Pizza (Chicken Crust)
Ingredients
Crust
- 1 lb ground chicken
- 1 egg
- 1/2 c parmesan cheese shredded
- 2 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 1/2 tsp pepper
- 2 tsp Italian seasoning
Pizza
- 1 c marinara Rao's
- 8 oz part-skim mozzarella cheese shredded
- turkey pepperoni
- 2 oz pancetta (optional) cooked
- honey or hot honey
- red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
- To a bowl add ground chicken, egg, shredded parmesan cheese and seasoning. Mix until well combined.
- Line a half size sheet pan with parchment paper or a silicone mat. Press the chicken mixture out thinly to the size of the sheet pan or silicone mat.
- Bake on the top rack for 30 minutes. Flip and cook 10 more minutes.
- While the crust bakes prepare any toppings. Pre-cook things like sausage, bacon, pancetta, ground beef, etc.
- When the crust is done spread on 1 cup of your favorite marinara. I recommend Rao's.
- Evenly spread out an 8 oz bag of part skim mozzarella cheese.
- Top with toppings and put on the top rack and broil until the cheese is golden brown.
- Remove pizza from the oven and top with red pepper flakes and a drizzle of honey.
- Slice in 12 pieces and enjoy.
Notes