Homemade Pizza Crust & BBQ Chicken Pizza

Our family enjoys pizza nights!  And while we do order out on occasion, we also like to make our own.  To start, I mix up a simple pizza dough in my KitchenAid mixer.  This recipe was actually included in the instructional booklet with the mixer.  I've made it numerous time with great results!

Crusty Pizza Dough Recipe
Recipe from KitchenAid

1 package of dry active yeast
1 cup warm water
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons olive oil
2 1/2 - 3 1/2 cups of all purpose flour

Dissolve the yeast in warm water.  Add olive oil, 2 1/2 cups of flour and salt to the water and yeast mixture.  Using dough hook attachment, mix for 1 minute on speed 2.  Continuing on speed 2, add flour 1/2 cup at a time. {I typically use just a total of 3 cups of flour}.  Mix until dough clings to the hook and separates from the sides of the bowl.  Knead for 2 minutes on speed 2.  Place the dough ball in a greased bowl, turning to grease the top {I just use the mixing bowl itself}.  Cover and let rise in a warm place until the dough has doubled (about1 hour).

I have the worst luck getting dough to rise anywhere in our house!  So, I preheat my oven to the lowest temp while I'm mixing up the dough.  When the dough is ready, I turn the oven off and let the dough rise inside the warmed oven.  

After the dough has risen, punch the dough down and roll out on a floured surface.  I also add a bit of corn meal to my surface as well.

For this pizza night, I decided to make one of my favorites, BBQ chicken pizza.  With the cold, rainy weather, grilling chicken breasts was out of the question.  So, I picked up these grilled chicken breast strips from Trader Joe's.

To make this pizza, I spread a layer of barbecue sauce first {I used a local brand - Otta the Park}.  Then added the chicken (diced), red onions, crumbled nitrate-free bacon and topped with shredded mozzarella cheese.  Bake for 15-20 minutes at 450 degrees.

Out of the oven - hot and ready to serve!

Mary Ellen

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