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Have you ever had something so delicious that it haunts you?
This Strawberry Balsamic Pizza definitely has the capabilities of causing that problem! As a matter of fact, in the words of Annie from Annie's Eats (a delightful blog - if you haven't checked it out, you need to!), after enjoying it last summer "...we dreamed about this pizza all through the fall and winter months." It's honestly, that good!
I created and posted this yummy pizza recipe last summer, but I'm re-posting it today for several reasons:
- It's the peak of local strawberry season here in the southeastern US, while just the beginning in other parts of the country and this recipe captures the beauty and deliciousness of fresh, local berries like none other!
- It's been, by far, the most popular recipe on The Café.
- I created and posted this recipe in my early blogging days and there are so many new readers who may have missed this spectacular pizza.
- You need a good quality strawberry jam for this pizza. If you haven't tried this fabulous Strawberry Freezer Jam, RUN out, pick up some strawberries and put this together - in less than an hour, you'll have a row of jars sitting on your counter with the best jam you'll ever taste! It's the perfect reason to make jam and you'll be thanking yourself till the cows come home!
You can read more about the humble origins of my Strawberry Balsamic Pizza here. I never dreamed it would be so well received. You wouldn't think that something with such a crazy combination of ingredients could be so delicious! Go ahead, be brave and give it a try - I'll be holding your hand (at least virtually) - and you'll be so happy you did .............. but don't say I didn't warn you about the "haunting" part later this year when fabulous, seasonal strawberries are just a lingering scarlet memory!
- ½ cup good quality strawberry jam or preserves I use The Cafe's Strawberry Freezer Jam or the Strawberry-Pineapple Freezer Jam from this site - use your favorite
- ¼ cup balsamic vinegar
- 1 teaspoon Sriracha Chili Sauce
- 1 ball pizza dough your favorite, this recipe or a purchased ball of dough*
- 1 cup diced or shredded chicken breast from rotisserie chicken or leftover 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
- 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˚F.
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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 jam 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" 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" 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's 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.
The Café Sucré Farine says
Thanks for leaving a comment Crystal. I'm so happy you enjoyed it - we love this pizza. You made me hungry for it again!
Be sure to check back next week, I've created a new "Fall" pizza that is very yummy too. I think you'll like it!
Crystal says
I made this today and it was amazing! I used store purchased Jam because I didn't have time to make it homemade. I'll certainly be making it again 🙂
The Harried Cook says
You are a genius, do you know that? What an incredible combination of flavors... sounds wrong to put strawberries on a pizza, but it still sounds incredible! Thanks for sharing 🙂
lena says
I really admire your talent in creating and blending all these flavors together, I'm sold!!
France@beyondthepeel says
No doubt is was well received. It sounds freakin' amazing.
Carol @ Always Thyme to Cook says
That has to be the prettiest pizza I've ever seen. Looks delicious!
Anne@FromMySweetHeart says
Oh my gosh,Chris! I LOVE unconventional and unique pizza. And I think this tops all I've tried so far. It's beautiful and the flavor combinations so different! It's haunting me alright...and I haven't even tried it yet! Beautiful! : )
Catherine says
This looks wonderful. I love sweet and savory flavors. I am sure this pizza disappeared in a NY minute!
Have a beautiful weekend. Blessings dear. Catherine xo
Lizzy says
After making a grilled cheese with strawberries, I'm a believer! I know I'd love this gorgeous pizza 🙂
Justin (@CutSquash) says
Looks good, my mouth doesn't quite know what to expect though.
Sara says
Wow, this pizza looks so tasty! What an unusual flavor combo...but it sounds incredible! 😀
Eri says
Oh this is spectacular! I dont know how far you can go Chris, this looks delicious!
Have a wonderful weekend!
renee @ Singing With Birds says
Thanks Chris for posting the SUPREME addition of your delicious pizza! It was fun to see it on Annie Eats too.
Mama Peck says
Oh, my word- I'm trying hard not to drool on my keyboard here! This looks delicious. I love unusual combinations of flavors and this one looks like a real winner. YUM I am pinning this and will be on the lookout for strawberry season to hit here. Thank you so much for sharing!!
Dining Alone says
This is so totally ME. I love savory and sweet together and I LOVE pizza. I have pinned this to try soon.
Lyndsay Wells says
I am so HAPPY you re-posted this! I am pinning to try - can't believe how delish it looks!!!
Martha says
seriously! it's beautiful...and sounds fantastic! I want some now, please!
Chatty Crone says
Beautiful pizza - not so sure about the strawberries. Love, sandie
Pacheco Patty says
Such a pretty colorful pizza, I'm sure I would love to serve a strawberry pizza to my family;-)
Kim says
Ohhhhh this pizza is so beautiful and original! I would have never though of putting strawberrie jam and strawberries in a savory pizza! So lovely! I'm waiting for good strawberries!!!
Veronica Miller says
Great idea to repost it! I've pinned it to my "pizza" board on Pinterest-it really does sound fab! And I'm glad my comment tickled you. I didn't know you worked in a hospital!! Are you a nurse?
Jen @ Peanut Butter and Peppers says
Chris I'm just drooling over this pizza. It's so beautiful!! I really need to make my own pizza! Have a lovely weekend and Happy Mother's Day!!
Patti says
This sounds odd (because of the strawberries), but it also sounds totally delicious. I will definitely be giving this a try.
Thanks for sharing so many amazing recipes.
Hovkonditorn says
I just love all your creations! They are always so beautiful and made with love!
Ginny says
Your picture is making me swoon and drool, both at the same time. This looks like the caviar of pizzas.