Savory Spinach & Chicken Pesto Pita Pizza
Indulge in this delightful Savory Spinach & Chicken Pesto Pita Pizza, a quick and easy recipe perfect for a hearty meal or a tasty snack. With layers of creamy pesto, tender chicken, and an assortment of colorful vegetables, all baked to perfection, these pita pizzas bring a burst of flavor to your table. Enjoy this dish as a wholesome weeknight dinner or a delightful appetizer to share with friends and family. Ready in under 30 minutes, it's a great way to indulge while keeping it healthy!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
13
Ingredients
Ingredients
Large Pita Bread
2 (Whole)
Olive Oil Flavored Cooking Spray
As needed (For spraying)
Olive Oil
1 teaspoon (For sautéing)
Fresh Spinach
2 cups (Chopped)
Pesto Sauce
4 tablespoons (Store-bought or homemade)
Cooked Chicken Breast
1 (Cooked and shredded)
Bacon
4 slices (Cooked and crumbled)
Red Onion
1/3 cup (Sliced)
Button Mushrooms
1/3 cup (Sliced)
Red Bell Pepper
1/3 cup (Sliced)
Jalapeno
1/4 cup (Seeded and sliced)
Mozzarella Cheese
1 cup (Grated)
Parmesan Cheese
1/4 cup (Grated)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2
Arrange the large pita breads on a baking sheet.
3
Lightly spray the tops of the pita breads with olive oil cooking spray to promote crispness.
4
Place the pita breads in the oven and bake for 3-4 minutes until slightly toasted.
5
In a skillet over medium heat, add 1 teaspoon of olive oil. Heat until shimmering.
6
Add the chopped fresh spinach to the skillet and sauté for 2-3 minutes, or until just wilted. Remove from heat and set aside.
7
Once the pita breads have toasted, remove them from the oven and spread 2 tablespoons of pesto sauce on each pita.
8
Distribute the sautéed spinach evenly over the pesto-covered pitas.
9
Layer the cooked and shredded chicken breast, crumbled bacon, sliced red onion, sliced mushrooms, sliced red bell pepper, and jalapenos over the spinach.
10
Finally, sprinkle a generous amount of grated mozzarella and Parmesan cheese over each pita to ensure delicious meltiness.
11
Return the loaded pita pizzas to the oven and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly, and the edges of the pitas are crispy.
12
Remove from the oven and allow to cool for a minute before slicing and serving.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary base for this pizza recipe?
The primary base for this recipe is large pita bread.
What oven temperature is required for baking the pita pizzas?
The oven should be preheated to 375°F (190°C).
How long should I pre-toast the pita bread?
You should bake the pita breads for 3-4 minutes until they are slightly toasted before adding toppings.
How is the spinach prepared for this recipe?
The chopped fresh spinach should be sautéed in a skillet with a teaspoon of olive oil for 2-3 minutes until just wilted.
What type of sauce is used on the pizza?
The recipe uses 2 tablespoons of pesto sauce per pita bread.
What proteins are included in this pita pizza?
The proteins included are cooked shredded chicken breast and cooked crumbled bacon.
Which cheeses are used as toppings?
A combination of grated mozzarella and Parmesan cheese is used for the topping.
What vegetables are recommended for this recipe?
The recipe calls for fresh spinach, red onion, button mushrooms, red bell pepper, and jalapenos.
How do I make the pita bread extra crispy?
Lightly spray the tops of the pita breads with olive oil cooking spray before the initial toasting.
How long do the pizzas bake after the toppings are added?
The loaded pizzas should bake for an additional 10-15 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Is the chicken added raw or cooked?
The chicken must be cooked and shredded before being placed on the pita pizza.
How should the jalapenos be prepared?
The jalapenos should be seeded and sliced before adding them to the pizza.
Can I use store-bought pesto for this recipe?
Yes, you can use either store-bought or homemade pesto sauce.
How many pita breads does this recipe make?
The recipe is designed for 2 large pita breads.
Should the bacon be pre-cooked?
Yes, the bacon should be cooked and crumbled before assembling the pizza.
What is the total estimated time to make this dish?
This recipe is quick and can be prepared and baked in under 30 minutes.
How long should the pizza cool before serving?
Allow the pizzas to cool for about a minute after removing them from the oven before slicing.
What type of mushrooms are used?
The recipe specifically lists sliced button mushrooms.
How much spinach is needed?
You will need 2 cups of chopped fresh spinach.
What is the suggested amount of red onion?
The recipe suggests using 1/3 cup of sliced red onion.
How much mozzarella cheese should I use?
The recipe calls for 1 cup of grated mozzarella cheese.
How much Parmesan cheese is needed?
You will need 1/4 cup of grated Parmesan cheese.
What is the assembly order for the toppings?
Spread pesto, add sautéed spinach, then layer chicken, bacon, onion, mushrooms, bell pepper, and jalapenos, finishing with the cheeses.
Can I substitute the olive oil spray?
Yes, though the spray helps with even crispness, a very light brush of olive oil would also work.
What color bell pepper is used in this pizza?
The recipe specifies using sliced red bell pepper.
Is this dish considered a healthy option?
Yes, it is described as a wholesome and healthy recipe featuring fresh vegetables and lean protein.
Does the spinach go on raw?
No, the spinach should be sautéed until wilted before being placed on the pizza.
How many slices of bacon are used?
The recipe uses 4 slices of cooked and crumbled bacon.
What is the flavor profile of this pizza?
It has a savory and slightly spicy profile due to the pesto, bacon, and jalapenos.
Can this be served as an appetizer?
Yes, it is perfect as a quick weeknight dinner or as a tasty appetizer to share.