Chipotle Honey Chicken Pizza
About the recipe
This Chipotle Honey Chicken Pizza brings together smoky chipotle chicken, tangy chipotle tomato sauce, gooey mozzarella, sweet honey, and creamy chipotle mayo on a light, airy homemade pizza crust. The pizza is baked directly on a ripping-hot pizza steel for a beautifully blistered crust, bubbling cheese, and lightly charred toppings. Finally, a drizzle of honey balances the smoky heat, while chipotle mayo adds a creamy, spicy finish.
Chipotle Honey Chicken Pizza
Ingredients
- 240 g 2 cups Bread/high-protein flour, ~12–13% protein
- 156–161 g Warm water (⅔ cup)
- 3.5 g Instant yeast
- 2 tsp Sugar
- 1 tsp Salt
- 1½ tbsp Olive oil
For Chipotle Chicken:
- 200–250 g Boneless chicken breast or thigh
- 1 tsp Chipotle pepper paste
- 1 tbsp Olive oil
- ½ tsp Smoked paprika
- ½ tsp Garlic powder
- ½ tsp Salt
- ¼ tsp Black pepper
- 1 tsp Honey
- 1 tsp Lemon or lime juice
For Chipotle Pizza Sauce:
- ½ cup Puréed tomatoes
- ½–1 tsp Chipotle pepper paste
- ½ tsp Dried oregano
- ¼ tsp Garlic powder
- ¼ tsp Onion powder
- 1 tsp Brown sugar
- 1 tsp Lemon juice
- ¼ tsp Salt
- Black pepper (to taste)
For Chipotle Mayo:
- ¼ cup Mayonnaise
- ½–1 tsp Chipotle pepper paste
- ½ tsp Lemon or lime juice
- Pinch of salt
- ½ tsp Honey (optional)
- ½–1 tsp Water (as needed)
Instructions
- Combine the warm water, instant yeast, and sugar in a bowl and let it sit for 5–10 minutes until slightly foamy. Add the olive oil, salt, and bread flour, then mix until a shaggy, slightly sticky dough forms with no dry flour remaining.
- Cover the bowl and let the dough rest at room temperature for 30 minutes. This initial rest allows the flour to hydrate and makes the dough easier to strengthen.
- Gently stretch one side of the dough upward and fold it toward the centre. Rotate the bowl and repeat on all four sides. Cover and let the dough rest for another 25–30 minutes.
- Repeat the stretch-and-fold process two more times, allowing 25–30 minutes of rest between each round. After the final fold, cover the dough and let it rise for approximately 1 hour, or until it becomes noticeably puffy and airy.
- Combine the chipotle paste, olive oil, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, black pepper, honey, and lemon or lime juice. Add the chicken and coat thoroughly. Marinate for 15–30 minutes.
- Heat a frying pan over medium-high heat and cook the marinated chicken until browned on the outside and completely cooked through. Allow it to rest for about 5 minutes, then cut it into small, thin pieces.
- Mix the puréed tomatoes, chipotle paste, oregano, garlic powder, onion powder, brown sugar, lemon juice, salt, and black pepper in a bowl. Taste and adjust the chipotle paste according to your preferred level of heat.
- Mix the mayonnaise, chipotle paste, citrus juice, and salt. Add the optional honey, then gradually mix in a few drops of water until the sauce becomes smooth and thin enough to drizzle. Refrigerate until needed.
- Place the pizza steel in the upper-middle section of the oven and preheat the oven to its maximum temperature for 45–60 minutes. The steel needs to become extremely hot before the pizza is launched.
- Lightly flour your work surface and carefully transfer the risen dough onto it. Press outward from the centre with your fingertips while leaving a 1–2 cm border untouched. Gently stretch the dough into a 12–13 inch pizza without using a rolling pin.
- Lightly dust a pizza peel with flour or semolina and transfer the shaped dough onto it. Shake the peel gently to make sure the dough slides freely before adding the toppings.
- Spread approximately 3–4 tablespoons of chipotle tomato sauce over the dough in a thin, even layer. Leave the outer crust uncovered so it can puff and blister during baking.
- Scatter the cooked chipotle chicken evenly over the sauce. Add 120–150 g of mozzarella, distributing it evenly without creating an overly heavy layer.
- Give the peel another gentle shake to make sure the pizza is not sticking. Immediately slide the pizza onto the fully preheated pizza steel.
- Bake at the oven’s maximum temperature for approximately 5–8 minutes, checking from around 4–5 minutes. The crust should be puffed and blistered, the underside crisp and browned, and the mozzarella melted and bubbling.
- If the crust is cooked but the top needs more colour, switch to the broiler or grill for the final 30–60 seconds. Watch the pizza carefully because it can brown very quickly at this temperature.
- Transfer the pizza to a cutting board and let it rest for 30–60 seconds. Drizzle 1–2 teaspoons of honey in thin lines over the hot pizza.
- Finish with the prepared chipotle mayo, creating thin zigzag lines across the pizza. Allow it to sit for another minute before slicing and serving.
Video
Tips & Tricks
Preheat the Pizza Steel Properly: Give the pizza steel a full 45–60 minutes to heat thoroughly. A hot steel is key to achieving a crisp base and beautifully puffed crust.
Keep the Sauce Thin: Use only a thin layer of pizza sauce. Too much sauce can make the centre heavy and prevent the crust from cooking properly.
Keep the Dough Moving: Before adding the toppings, shake the pizza peel gently to make sure the dough slides freely. Once toppings are added, launch the pizza immediately.
Add Honey After Baking: Drizzle the honey over the pizza after baking rather than before. This keeps the honey fresh and prevents it from burning at the high oven temperature.
Drizzle the Mayo Last: Adding the chipotle mayo after the honey gives you the best contrast between the hot, smoky pizza and the cool, creamy sauce.
FAQs
Can I prepare the chipotle chicken ahead of time?
Yes. The chicken can be cooked several hours ahead and refrigerated. Allow it to cool, cover it, and refrigerate until you’re ready to assemble the pizza.
How should I store leftover Chipotle Honey Chicken Pizza?
Allow leftover pizza to cool, then store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Can I freeze the Chipotle Honey Chicken Pizza?
Yes. Once completely cooled, wrap individual slices tightly and freeze for up to 1 month. Thaw in the refrigerator before reheating.
How should I reheat the pizza?
For the crispiest result, reheat slices of Chipotle Honey Chicken Pizza in a hot oven, air fryer, or skillet until the crust is crisp and the cheese is hot. Add a fresh drizzle of honey and chipotle mayo after reheating.
Can I prepare the dough ahead of time?
Yes. The dough can be prepared ahead and refrigerated for a longer, slower fermentation. Bring it back toward room temperature before shaping so it becomes easier to stretch.
