This fabulous flatbread pizza is a blend of the best of Indian and Italian cuisines. Traditional naan bread makes for a deliciously crunchy pizza crust, while the Indian flavors of a traditional chicken tikka are the perfect pizza topping for those who like things a little spicy.
It's an easy all-round family pleaser that is perfect for a busy weeknight dinner. Here's how to make chicken tikka pizza to perfection!
Why you'll love this chicken tikka pizza recipe
- It's so easy to make – you can even get the kids involved!
- It's a great twist on classic Indian food
- Chicken tikka pizzas are quick and bring delicious flavors, the perfect fun option for a busy midweek dinner
- This recipe uses ready made naans, so no need to make your own pizza dough
Equipment needed
There are a range of items you'll need when it comes to making this chicken tikka pizza recipe:
- Chicken skewers – these are for skewering your chicken pieces
- Baking sheet – for baking your pizza base in the oven
- Pizza cutter – get the perfect slices with a quality pizza cutter
How to make chicken tikka pizza
You need naan breads, tomato sauce, onion, pepper and cheese.
Make the chicken tikka first though. Leftovers are great!
Place the naan on a baking sheet.
Slather with tomato or marinara sauce.
Sprinkle with mozzarella cheese.
Add slivers of green pepper.
Add red onion slices.
Bake in the oven until the cheese is bubbling and golden.
Sprinkle with cilantro and serve immediately. Enjoy!
What to Serve with Chicken Tikka Pizza
Cucumber Raita
A cool and refreshing cucumber raita pairs perfectly with the spiced chicken tikka pizza, balancing the heat with a creamy, tangy flavor.
Kachumber Salad
This fresh, crunchy salad made from cucumbers, tomatoes, onions, and a squeeze of lemon juice adds a crisp contrast to the rich flavors of the pizza.
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Mango Chutney
This sweet and tangy mango chutney provides a delightful contrast to the savory and spicy chicken tikka pizza.
Green Chutney
A fresh mint chutney complements the flavors of the pizza, adding a burst of herbal freshness.
Popular substitutions
- Ginger powder: Use this in place of fresh ginger if you can't find any.
- Cheese: Mozzarella is the best kind, but feel free to use your favorite kind of cheese. Also, add extra cheese if you prefer your pizzas to be on the cheesy side.
- Pizza base: Naan breads can be replaced by any other types of flatbread – feel free to make your own!
Alternatives
- Add sliced red onion to the top of your pizza
- Add diced tomatoes for an extra rich tomato flavor
- Sprinkle chopped bell pepper on top of your pizza for extra flavor
Top tips
- Don't forget to brush the edges of your naan with olive oil to make sure they're nice and crispy
- Use reusable bamboo skewers for your chicken
- Use precise measurements for best results
What is chicken tikka pizza?
It's a blend of the best of two excellent food cuisines – Italian and Indian, mixing two of their finest best-loved dishes: chicken tikka and pizza.
With readymade naan bread as your pizza base and a topping that consists of chicken skewers marinated in a rich spiced sauce, a standard spread of tomato sauce, and a sprinkling of cheese, this is the ultimate pizza for those who are a fan of Indian cooking!
Who invented chicken tikka pizza?
This fusion dish is a relatively recent phenomenon. It's believed that Mr Zante of Zante Pizza & Indian Cuisine in San Francisco, California, was one of the first chefs to popularise Indian pizza dishes. It's likely that people have been trying for decades to fuse the best of Italian and Indian cuisine, but the United States may have just been the location where chicken tikka pizza happened first.
What does chicken tikka pizza taste like?
It tastes like the warm embrace of Italian cuisine, with a spicy kiss from India. With the crispy pizza base, rich, spicy marinade, tender chunks of chicken, and stringy melted mozzarella, every bite simply melts in your mouth.
Quite simply, it's fusion food at its finest.
How do you store leftover chicken tikka pizza?
Allow any leftovers to cool, and then seal them in an airtight container. Store the container in the refrigerator and consume the leftovers within 48 hours. If you want to heat up the leftovers, heat them in a preheated oven at 350°F (176°C) for about 10 minutes.
More tikka recipes
Can't get enough of the taste bud tinging tikka flavour? Well, luckily I have a host of wonderful tikka recipes waiting for you to try:
- Chicken tikka – the classic curry skewered chicken recipe that, once perfected, you'll go back to again and again
- Chicken tikka paste – learn to make this homemade curry paste and you'll never use the shop-bought stuff ever again
- Chicken tikka biryani – two classic Indian dishes combine for a marriage made in heaven
- Air fryer chicken tikka – quick, easy and wonderfully tasty, this air fryer recipe is one you have to try
📖 Recipe
Chicken Tikka Pizza
- Total Time: 2 hours 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 portions 1x
- Diet: Halal
Description
Turn your favorite Indian-inspired flavors into a fusion masterpiece with this Chicken Tikka Pizza recipe, paired with melty cheese and crispy pizza crust.
Ingredients
For the Chicken Tikka:
- 1 lb (450g) boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
- ½ cup plain yogurt
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 inch fresh ginger, minced
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- ½ teaspoon turmeric powder
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon garam masala
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for extra heat)
- ½ teaspoon salt
For the Naan Pizzas:
- 4 ready-made naan breads
- ½ cup tomato sauce (or pizza sauce)
- 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ¼ cup fresh cilantro leaves, chopped
- 1 teaspoon red chili flakes (optional, for extra heat)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (for brushing the naan)
Instructions
- In a large bowl, mix the yogurt, lemon juice, vegetable oil, garlic, ginger, cumin, coriander, turmeric, paprika, garam masala, cayenne pepper (if using), and salt. Add the chicken pieces and coat them thoroughly with the marinade. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, preferably overnight.
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) or set your grill to medium-high heat. Thread the marinated chicken pieces onto skewers or place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake or grill for 15-20 minutes, turning halfway through, until the chicken is fully cooked and slightly charred. Remove from the oven or grill, and set aside.
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Place the naan breads on a baking sheet.
- Spread a thin layer of tomato sauce over each naan bread. Sprinkle a portion of the shredded mozzarella cheese over the sauce. Top with the cooked chicken tikka pieces. Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella cheese over the toppings.
- Brush the edges of the naan with olive oil. Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly, and the naan is crisp.
- Remove the pizzas from the oven and sprinkle with chopped cilantro and red chili flakes (if using). Slice and serve immediately.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Marination Time: 2 hours
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Bake
- Cuisine: Indian
Nutrition
- Serving Size:
- Calories: 569
- Sugar: 6.6 g
- Sodium: 1093.2 mg
- Fat: 16.9 g
- Saturated Fat: 8.3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 51.8 g
- Fiber: 3.6 g
- Protein: 51.5 g
- Cholesterol: 95 mg
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