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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 (check it out here, page 32 and also our Fattoush Salad on page 29). 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!! 🙂
- 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
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Place pizza stone or sheet pan on middle rack of oven. Preheat oven to 450 degrees.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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!
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Remove from oven and let cool slightly, 1-2 minutes. Sprinkle with chopped cilantro and fresh diced strawberries. Serve and enjoy!
*You can purchase pizza dough from Whole Foods, Trader Jo's and many other grocery stores. Often pizzerias will sell a ball of their own dough for a very reasonable price.
Lindsay says
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 🙂
Kyle says
This recipe is a star! I tried it this weekend and have defiently added it to my favorites. Loved the sauce!
thepaintedapron.com says
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
Erin @ Dinners, Dishes, and Desserts says
Berries on a pizza? What a great idea and with the balsamic - yum!
Selina says
Sieht ja schon irgend wie lecker aus. Davon würde ich auch ein Stück probieren.
Jen Laceda | Tartine and Apron Strings says
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.
Erin Dee says
This is SO beautiful. Pizzas are normally so ugly and unappetizing looking. This is just... perfect. 🙂
Patty Price says
I know I would love this pizza Chris-so beautiful and flavors are just over the top delicious 😉
Ashley @ Spoonful of Flavor says
My mouth is watering. I LOVE everything about this pizza!
Nami | Just One Cookbook says
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!
www.you-made-that.com says
What a fantastic idea for pizza! This looks so delicious definitely on my list to try, thanks for sharing 🙂
Dining Alone says
As a fan of sweet and savory I know I would love this and it looks so pretty with all the bright colors!
Claire @ Claire K Creations says
Oh Chris. Teasing me with those beautiful strawberries. I will have to live vicariously because strawberry season is months away for me 🙁
Rebecca Subbiah says
this looks so so good
Debra Eliotseats says
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! 🙂
Lisa {Authentic Suburban Gourmet } says
What a creative pizza! I bet it is heaven on a plate and your family devoured it!
WizzyTheStick says
This wins hands down the title of most original pizza ever. Looks fabulous.
Gloria Baker says
Chris look amazing!!
Kim G. says
Can't believe I haven't tried this pizza!!! I have to, in a couple of weeks!
Georgia | The Comfort of Cooking says
Wow, what a creative and scrumptious pizza! This looks absolutely incredible, Chris!
Kitchen Riffs says
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.
twodogsinthekitchen says
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!
Liz Berg says
You make the BEST pizzas, Chris! This one is no exception...and it's the perfect way to celebrate the emerging spring berries!
Pam says
What a lovely and delicious looking pizza! So many great flavors & textures.
Angie Schneider says
I am speechless. It's a stunning summer pizza. And look at that CRUST! Perfection!