Barbecue Chicken Pizza

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I love the work I do, but sometimes I get super excited to work with some of my favorite brands, like Organic Valley. Organic Valley cheeses have been a staple in my home since the kids were babies. It’s our go-to dairy brand whenever it is available in stores! So today, I’m sharing one of our favorite family recipes using a combination of three different Organic Valley cheeses, organic produce and barbecue sauce, and naturally-raised meat: Barbecue Chicken Pizza. The fun thing about making pizza with your kids is that you can set up a bit of a ‘pizza bar’ with all different toppings, and everyone can customize it to make their favorite combinations of flavors.

Save $1.25 off any Organic Valley Cheese with this offer!

Ingredients:

• 2 pounds pizza dough (use your favorite recipe or buy pre-made)
• 1/2 pound chicken breast
• 4 strips bacon
• 1 cup barbecue sauce
• 4 cups of Organic Valley Cheese, shredded (a mix of shredded mozzarella, as well as colby and cheddar, shredded from a block)
• Sweet peppers, red onion, or other organic produce
• Basil, parsley, cilantro or other fresh herbs
• 2 teaspoons coarse cornmeal
• Olive oil
• salt & pepper

Directions:

Begin by preparing your toppings. I purchased a package of chicken cutlets and nitrite/nitrate-free bacon. Season the chicken with salt and pepper. On a stovetop griddle or large skillet, prepare the chicken and bacon. I cooked the bacon until crisp and the chicken until both sides began to brown. I checked to make certain it was cooked through by cutting into the center of a piece. Once the proteins have been prepared, cut the chicken into cubes and crumble the bacon. Then set aside.

Next, saute sliced organic red onions and multi-color peppers in a little olive oil. These make a delicious, nutritious, and colorful topping for your pizza. Those are two of Bryce’s favorites – he loves his vegetables! I also purchased organic cilantro because it gives a great pop of flavor to the Barbecue Chicken Pizzas. You may also want to try fresh basil or Italian parsley.

The last ingredient you may need to prepare is your cheese. I purchased a bag of Organic Valley Shredded Mozzarella, a block of Sharp Cheddar Cheese, and a block of Colby Cheese. The mozzarella offers a very mild flavor, the colby a medium flavor, and the sharp cheddar a rich flavor – the perfect balance for this pizza recipe.

Now it’s time to prepare the pizzas! Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. A high temperature oven gives the pizza crust a great crunch. As a mid-week shortcut, I purchased pre-made pizza dough near the bakery section at Publix. You can select a ball of dough or pre-rolled pizza crusts. I purchased two crusts, so each child can make a unique pizza for our family! Start by setting up a ‘pizza bar’ with some of your family’s favorite toppings.

To prevent the pizza from sticking to the pan, grease the pan with olive oil and sprinkle a teaspoon of coarse cornmeal. The kids worked together to add a layer of barbecue sauce. I found a great organic barbecue sauce at Publix. Then they topped the pizzas with chicken, bacon, onions, and peppers. Finally two cups of shredded cheese per pizza – the cheesier the better! A sprinkle of cilantro, and the pizzas were ready for the oven. To make a crunchy crust, brush the edge with olive oil. The pizzas bake about 15 minutes, until the crust is golden and the cheese is melted.

While the pizzas were baking, I decided to use the remainder of the block cheeses in an antipasti. This makes a great appetizer or side dish. I cubed the cheese, and placed the cubes on a large cutting boards with a variety of olives, meats, and pepperoncini {my personal fave}. Another great side is sliced organic tomato topped with pesto.

Just 15 minutes later, and our delicious pizzas were ready to be removed from the oven. Slice and serve with your favorite side dishes and appetizers for a delicious family meal any night of the week. I’ve learned whenever the kids help prepare dinner, they’re happy to clear their plates!

Head to Publix where you can purchase Organic Valley Shredded Cheese (Mexican or Mozzarella) or Organic Valley Cheddar Cheese 8-ounce blocks (Mild Cheddar, Sharp Cheddar, or Colby). Also look for string cheese, slices, snack sticks, cream cheese, and crumbles. All Organic Valley cheeses are certified organic and we never use antibiotics, synthetic hormones, toxic pesticides or GMOs. Most of our cheeses are also vegetarian friendly. Organic Valley is a brand my family has trusted since the kids were babies. It’s our go-to brand for organic dairy and can always been found in our refrigerator.

What’s your favorite recipe to prepare with your kids using organic ingredients?