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Balsamic Strawberry Pizza with Chicken and Bacon
Since it's strawberry season (woooohoooo!) all over this hemisphere (or it will be fairly soon) I thought I'd re-post a recipe that is, actually the second all-time favorite recipe of The Café. It's been blogged and re-blogged all over the world and was actually featured last month in Meridian, a popular London lifestyle magazine. Since we've had so many new readers in the past year I wanted to share it one more time .............
There's a funny story that describes how it came about; a very humble story and honestly, I never thought anyone else would pay attention to it. They say that, "necessity is the mother of invention" but for me it might be a bit more precise to change the saying to, "Mother Hubbard is the mother of invention"!
You see, this Balsamic Strawberry Pizza with Chicken and Bacon was created one day when I was feeling a bit like old Mother Hubbard. I hadn't been to the grocery store in quite a while and when I perused the refridg shortly before dinner one evening there wasn't much to be had.
I saw one lonely chicken breast, a bit of leftover bacon, a few strawberries and an assortment of condiments, that was it - other than a little cheese. But behold!! - among the condiments was a lovely jar of Strawberry Jam. Gazing upon the ruby-red sweet jam got my imagination going and the rest of the story is history this pizza!! You have to try this!! I know it sounds quite unique, well maybe even - a little odd, but this pizza is truly fantastic, thanks to Mother Hubbard!!! 🙂
P.S. Oh, by the way, the CCC (Chief Culinary Consultant) says that this is the best pizza he's ever had! And that's saying alot. Although he is my greatest supporter and encourager, he isn't super effusive with praises; if he says it is awesome, you really do need to try this!! 🙂
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Balsamic Strawberry Pizza
Ingredients
- ½ cup strawberry jam or preserves, I used my Strawberry-Pineapple Freezer Jam, use your favorite
- ¼ cup balsamic vinegar
- 1 teaspoon Sriracha Chili Sauce
- 1 ball pizza dough, your favorite or this recipe or a purchased ball of dough*
- 1 cup diced or shredded chicken breast, from rotisserie chicken or left over chicken of any kind
- ½ cup applewood smoked bacon, cut in 1 inch pieces, cooked and drained
- ½ cup thin sliced sweet onion
- 12 ounces shredded Italian blend cheese, I used Sargento, but whatever you like best is fine
- ¼ cup fresh cilantro, finely chopped
- ¼ cup fresh strawberries, diced small
Instructions
- Place pizza stone or sheet pan on middle rack of oven. Preheat oven to 450 degrees.
- Place balsamic vinegar in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer 4 to 5 minutes or until reduced to half of the 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 rest of sauce onto pizza dough and spread to cover. Leave a 1 inch border all around the edge. Scatter chicken evenly over the sauce.
- Place about ¾ of the cheese on top of dough and spread to cover sauce evenly. Scatter 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. Serve and enjoy!
Notes
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Oh my gosh, Chris, I'm glad I never created a strawberry pizza because this is the ultimate! Wow - those flavours!! I love a strawberry /chicken combo and if you toss in bacon and cheese you're in foodie heaven. I cannot wait to make this. Great job!!
Really loved this pizza! To make it a bit more savory, we omitted the regular cheese for about 3-4 oz Dubliner cheese. Really delicious!
That sounds great Tanisha! It's probably our all-time favorite Café pizza!
I came to your blog to search for something else but then I saw this pizza and knew we had to have it tonight! Yum!!! Nick can hardly wait 🙂
This recipe is a star! I tried it this weekend and have defiently added it to my favorites. Loved the sauce!
I can't wait to try this! We love pineapple on pizza, the sweet playing off the bacon I bet really is delicious! I want to make this for part of our Memorial Day weekend! I love your creative mind~
Jenna
Berries on a pizza? What a great idea and with the balsamic - yum!
Sieht ja schon irgend wie lecker aus. Davon würde ich auch ein Stück probieren.
Wow, this is a pretty interesting pizza! I've personally have not mixed strawberry with savoury flavours. But applewood bacon sounds good...anything with bacon is good, right? One of these days, I will make try making this.
This is SO beautiful. Pizzas are normally so ugly and unappetizing looking. This is just... perfect. 🙂
I know I would love this pizza Chris-so beautiful and flavors are just over the top delicious 😉
My mouth is watering. I LOVE everything about this pizza!
WOW!! I have to say it again, WOW!!! Pizza with strawberries. I plan on making this and keep it secret from the kids until they sit down on the table and tada!!! I'll show them "strawberry pizza" (that'll be the short name in our house!). Thank you for sharing the recipe with us... Kids and I will be forever thankful for this one!
What a fantastic idea for pizza! This looks so delicious definitely on my list to try, thanks for sharing 🙂
As a fan of sweet and savory I know I would love this and it looks so pretty with all the bright colors!
Oh Chris. Teasing me with those beautiful strawberries. I will have to live vicariously because strawberry season is months away for me 🙁
this looks so so good
I love this sauce and am thinking about what I can put it on besides pizza. How in the world did you ever come up with sriricha and strawberry jam. I could have stared at those two things in the fridge forever and not been brave enough to combine them! 🙂
What a creative pizza! I bet it is heaven on a plate and your family devoured it!
This wins hands down the title of most original pizza ever. Looks fabulous.
Chris look amazing!!
Can't believe I haven't tried this pizza!!! I have to, in a couple of weeks!
Wow, what a creative and scrumptious pizza! This looks absolutely incredible, Chris!
Such a terrific idea! Strawberries and balsamic are such a great combo to begin with, and I'll bet they do wonderfully well with everything on this pizza. Definitely something I need to do sometime - thanks.
This sounds amazing Chris. I know I would love the flavor explosion from this pizza! Every ingredient is something I enjoy and to put them all together and make that wonderful sauce....oh boy! And yet another one that I am pinning!
You make the BEST pizzas, Chris! This one is no exception...and it's the perfect way to celebrate the emerging spring berries!
What a lovely and delicious looking pizza! So many great flavors & textures.
I am speechless. It's a stunning summer pizza. And look at that CRUST! Perfection!
I remember this recipe chris and although I haven't tried it yet, it's still on my list. In fact I've seen it reposted on several sites over the years. Thanks for reminding me to make it. I love a good pizza.
I will take your supporter and chief photographers word for it that this is worth a go. If we can put pineapple on a pizza then strawberries should be second nature.
I've never eaten a strawberry pizza. What a creative idea. Just in time for our local strawberries too.
Sam
Such an unusual combination! But it sounds good - and I don't like chicken on pizza!
Chris: What a daring pizza...So full of great, contrasting flavors. I'd love to take not one but several bites. The second and last pictures are extremely appetizing!!!
I remember when it was on Annie's Eats last year and I got soooo excited to see you featured there, and now this recipe has gone even further. So exciting! But I just have to know--what's THE most popular recipe on your blog?
Hi Veronica! It's so funny to me, THE most popular recipe on the blog is the Cranberry-Avocado Salad. You can see it on the sidebar with the link. It's been pinned and re-pinned so many times it ridiculous. It was another one that I made up one day never dreaming it would become a "star". 🙂
WOW!!!!! what a strange combination!!! But i like all the ingredients and i want to make it!!
I will let you know how it went!!!
Very nice pictures!!!!
Chris, is is certainly a very creative and very pretty Pizza - I have never seen any recipe quite like this! The ingredients sound wonderful, the Pizza looks fabulous and the pictures are amazing, no surprise that it was featured in Meridian magazine and that it is one of the most popular blog posts of yours! Terrific!
Hi Chris, your strawberry pizza look awesome. Very nice combination and excellent pictures.
Have a great week ahead.
The title alone had my mouth watering! I don't know where you come up with the ideas, but this one is fascinating. Last night I was treated to a homemade pizza (something I've never made!). This one would be a hit at our house - I just know it!
What fantastic flavors! I love this idea Chris. It's got everything, sweet, spicy, smokey, creamy, savory not to mention gorgeous to look at!
I love the close-up. The burst of flavors must be amazing! And also a nutritious pizza.
Yummy!! Not only beautiful but edible!
Jemma
This is a fun and creative was to make a pizza. Looks really good. I will remember this one thanks for sharing.
Velva
Chris this looks beautiful!!! What a great idea!
Chris this looks beautiful!!! What a great idea!
Wow! I'm so impressed, sweet, and savory pizza! Love the flavor combinations, and the crunchy thin crust. Beautiful colors as well!
What an incredible pizza, these flavors sound perfect together! Love the nice thin crust too!
Mmmm...now I am hungry:-) looks so nice with the berries:-)
Chris, I think you may have a broken link on the strawberry jam.
Thanks Madonna, I think I got it fixed!
This looks fabulous. I love the sweet/salty/spicy of any dish. You have outdone yourself. I need to make your jam while the strawberries are in season.
Missing you! Wish we could eat this crazy pizza together!
So funny, I was just thinking this morning that strawberries need to be used in savory dishes more often! Your pizza looks amazing:@)
That looks amazingly delicious!
This sounds amazing, Chris! I am loving that combination of flavors. I've never made anything quite like it, but now I need to. Thanks for re-posting it, so I could discover it too!