Impress Your Friends With Homemade Tandoori Chicken Pizza

Tandoori Chicken Pizza combines the bold flavors of Indian tandoori spices with the classic cheesiness of pizza. Juicy, marinated chicken is grilled and placed over a pre-baked crust with pizza sauce, onions, and capsicum. Topped with mozzarella and baked until golden, it delivers a perfect blend of smokiness and crunch. Garnish with fresh coriander and serve hot for a delicious fusion meal.

Tandoori Chicken Pizza is a delicious fusion of smoky Indian flavors and cheesy pizza delight. Chicken is marinated in yogurt and spices, grilled to perfection, and placed over a crispy pizza base. The pizza is then topped with pizza sauce, mozzarella cheese, onions, and capsicum. Baked until golden, it has a perfect balance of spice, creaminess, and crunch. Garnish with fresh coriander or basil for an extra touch of freshness. Serve hot with garlic dip or mint chutney for an irresistible meal.

Ingredients:

For the Tandoori Chicken Marinade:

• 250g boneless chicken (cut into small cubes)
• ½ cup thick yogurt (hung curd works best)
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon ginger-garlic paste
• 1 teaspoon red chili powder
• ½ teaspoon turmeric powder
• 1 teaspoon garam masala
• 1 teaspoon cumin powder
• ½ teaspoon black pepper powder
• 1 teaspoon coriander powder
• 1 teaspoon kasuri methi (dried fenugreek leaves)
• 1 tablespoon mustard oil or vegetable oil
• Salt to taste
• 1 teaspoon tandoori masala (optional)
• 1 tablespoon besan (gram flour)
• 1 tablespoon butter (for grilling)

For the Pizza Dough:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon dry yeast
• ½ teaspoon sugar
• ¾ cup warm water
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• ½ teaspoon salt

For the Pizza Toppings:

• ½ cup pizza sauce (store-bought or homemade)
• 1 cup mozzarella cheese (grated)
• 1 medium onion (sliced)
• 1 medium capsicum (sliced)
• ½ cup cherry tomatoes (halved)
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon chili flakes
• ½ teaspoon black pepper powder
• Fresh coriander or basil leaves (for garnish)

Step 1: Prepare the Tandoori Chicken

• In a large mixing bowl, add thick yogurt, lemon juice, ginger-garlic paste, and all the dry spices (red chili, turmeric, garam masala, cumin, coriander, black pepper, kasuri methi, and tandoori masala).
• Add mustard oil, salt, and besan, then mix well to form a thick marinade.
• Add the chicken pieces to the marinade and coat them evenly.
• Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour (preferably overnight for better flavor).
• Heat a grill pan or tawa, add butter, and cook the marinated chicken pieces until golden brown and slightly charred. Keep them aside.

Step 2: Prepare the Pizza Dough

• In a small bowl, mix warm water, yeast, and sugar. Let it sit for 10 minutes until it becomes frothy.
• In a large bowl, add all-purpose flour and salt.
• Pour in the yeast mixture and knead into a soft dough, adding olive oil while kneading.
• Cover the dough with a damp cloth and let it rise for 1-2 hours until it doubles in size.

Step 3: Roll and Pre-Bake the Pizza Base

• Once the dough has risen, punch it down to remove air bubbles.
• Roll it out into a circular pizza base (about ¼ inch thick).
• Preheat the oven to 220°C (430°F).
• Place the rolled dough on a baking tray and bake for 5 minutes to firm up the base.

Step 4: Assemble the Pizza

• Spread a generous layer of pizza sauce over the pre-baked pizza base.
• Sprinkle half of the grated mozzarella cheese.
• Arrange the grilled tandoori chicken pieces evenly over the pizza.
• Add sliced onions, capsicum, and cherry tomatoes.
• Sprinkle the remaining cheese on top, along with oregano, chili flakes, and black pepper powder.

Step 5: Bake the Pizza

• Preheat the oven to 220°C (430°F) again.
• Bake the pizza for 12-15 minutes or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
• Remove from the oven and let it cool slightly.
• Garnish with fresh coriander or basil leaves.

Step 6: Serve and Enjoy

• Slice the Tandoori Chicken Pizza into wedges.
• Serve hot with garlic dip or mint chutney for an extra Indian touch.
• Enjoy this fusion delight with friends and family

Tips for Perfect Tandoori Chicken Pizza:

• Use homemade or store-bought pizza dough for convenience.
• Marinate the chicken overnight for the best smoky flavor.
• You can also cook the chicken in an air fryer or oven for a healthier version.
• Add more cheese for extra richness or use a mix of cheddar and mozzarella for better texture.
• Serve with a side of coleslaw or a light salad for a balanced meal.

Now, enjoy your homemade Tandoori Chicken Pizza!