Strawberry Balsamic Pizza with Chicken, Sweet Onion, and Applewood Bacon
Try this Strawberry Balsamic Pizza with Chicken, Sweet Onion, and Applewood Bacon recipe.
Try this Strawberry Balsamic Pizza with Chicken, Sweet Onion, and Applewood Bacon recipe.
- 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon sriracha chili sauce
- 1/2 cup strawberry jam or preserves i used my strawberry-pineapple freezer jam, use your favorite
- 1 ball pizza dough your favorite or this recipe or a purchased ball of dough*
- 1 cup chicken breast, from rotisserie chicken diced or shredded or left over chicken of any kind
- 1/2 cup applewood smoked bacon cut in 1 inch pieces, cooked and drained
- 1/2 cup sweet onion thin sliced
- 12 ounces shredded italian blend cheese
- 1/4 cup fresh strawberries diced small
- Carbohydrate 22.4371800383099 g
- Cholesterol 0 mg
- Fat 0.238800000080139 g
- Fiber 1.83099997310002 g
- Protein 1.52854000167115 g
- Saturated Fat 0.00984000000011836 g
- Serving Size 1 1 Recipe (560g)
- Sodium 25.6780000500069 mg
- Sugar 20.6061800652099 g
- Trans Fat 0.126320000077358 g
- Calories 105 calories
Step-by-step
- Place pizza stone or sheet pan on middle rack of oven. Preheat oven to 450 degrees F.
- Place balsamic vinegar in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer 4-5 minutes or until reduced to half of original volume and mixture is thick and syrupy. Add strawberry preserves and sriracha and mix well. Set aside to cool.
- Pat or roll out pizza dough on a lightly floured surface to approximately a 14 inch circle. Shape does not have to be perfect, this is a rustic pizza. Place a piece of parchment paper, slightly larger than your dough on a pizza peel or an upside down sheet pan. (The parchment paper will make your transfer of the pizza to the oven infinitely easier!) Sprinkle parchment paper lightly with cornmeal. Fold dough in quarters and place on parchment paper, then unfold.
- Combine chicken with 2 tablespoons of the balsamic-strawberry mixture and mix to coat all chicken with sauce. Pour remaining sauce onto pizza dough and spread to cover. Leave 1 inch border all around the edge.
- Place about 3/4 of the cheese on top of dough and spread to cover sauce evenly. Scatter chicken, bacon and sweet onion over cheese to distribute evenly. Scatter remaining cheese over this layer.
- Slide parchment paper with pizza on top onto stone or cookie sheet. Bake for approximately 8-10 minutes or until cheese is bubbly and crust is golden brown. Watch carefully, at this temperature it is easy to burn the pizza!
- Remove from oven and let cool slightly, 1-2 minutes. Sprinkle with chopped cilantro and fresh diced strawberries.
A Culinary Adventure: Strawberry Balsamic Pizza
Life's a journey, and sometimes, that journey leads you to the most unexpected and delightful culinary creations. This is the story of one such adventure, a tale of sweet and savory synergy on a pizza crust. Now, I'm not a professional chef; I'm just a busy mom who loves exploring new flavors and finding simple ways to make dinner exciting for my family. And let me tell you, this Strawberry Balsamic Pizza with Chicken, Sweet Onion, and Applewood Bacon is an experience you won't soon forget.
The idea came to me unexpectedly, a burst of inspiration amidst the chaos of a busy week. I was browsing through my favorite food blogs, looking for something different, something that would break the monotony of our usual dinner routine. That's when I stumbled upon the concept of a balsamic glaze on pizza – an idea that sparked my imagination. I envisioned the sweet tang of balsamic vinegar melding perfectly with the juicy sweetness of strawberries, a contrast that promised a delicious explosion on the palate. The addition of savory chicken, crispy bacon, and sweet onion rounded out the flavor profile, promising a symphony of tastes that would tantalize the taste buds.
The process of making this pizza was surprisingly straightforward. The balsamic reduction was a simple affair, a matter of simmering the vinegar until it thickened into a luscious, syrupy glaze. The addition of strawberry preserves and a hint of sriracha added a depth of flavor and a pleasant kick. The pizza dough, readily available at my local grocery store, saved me precious time. Assembling the pizza was a joy, layering the ingredients carefully to create a visually appealing and deliciously balanced masterpiece. The baking process was quick and efficient, the aroma filling my kitchen with the tantalizing scents of baking crust, melting cheese, and caramelized onions.
Once baked, the pizza was a feast for the eyes. The golden-brown crust formed a perfect base for the vibrant medley of ingredients: the sweet and tangy balsamic-strawberry glaze, the tender chicken, the crispy bacon, the sweet onions, and the generous sprinkling of mozzarella cheese. The final touch, fresh chopped cilantro and diced strawberries, added a burst of freshness and color. The first bite was an explosion of flavor—the sweet and savory elements dancing harmoniously on my tongue. The sweetness of the strawberries and balsamic glaze complemented the savory chicken and bacon perfectly, while the onions added a touch of sharpness. The mozzarella provided a creamy, rich counterpoint to the other ingredients. It was a balance of textures and flavors that left me utterly satisfied.
This pizza has quickly become a family favorite, a go-to dish for special occasions and weeknight dinners alike. It's versatile enough to accommodate various preferences – you can easily adjust the amount of sriracha to control the level of spiciness, or substitute the chicken with other proteins, such as sausage or shrimp. The possibilities are truly endless. Beyond its deliciousness, this pizza also holds a special significance for me, a testament to the joy of culinary experimentation and the power of simple ingredients to create something extraordinary. It's a reminder that even amidst the chaos of everyday life, there's always room for a little culinary adventure.
So, I encourage you to embark on your own culinary journey and try this recipe. Let your creativity flow, experiment with different ingredients, and discover your own unique version of this delightful pizza. You might be surprised at what culinary wonders you can create in your own kitchen. And who knows? Your culinary adventure might just lead you to your own signature dish, a treasured recipe that you'll share with loved ones for years to come. The journey is the destination, after all, and in the case of this Strawberry Balsamic Pizza, the journey is one filled with deliciousness and unforgettable flavors.
