This is a sponsored review from BlogHer and Kraft.

Ultimate Roasted Garlic Chicken Pizza: Your New Favorite Weeknight Meal

Prepare your taste buds for an extraordinary culinary journey! Today, I’m thrilled to share a recipe that redefines convenience and flavor: my ultimate take on the beloved Roasted Garlic Chicken Pizza. If you’re a pizza enthusiast, this dish is an absolute must-try. It’s a game-changer for busy weeknights, offering gourmet taste with minimal effort.

This isn’t just any chicken pizza; it’s a version that elevates the classic to new heights while paradoxically simplifying the preparation. Aside from the delightful task of roasting a head or two of garlic – a step well worth the anticipation – the active prep time for this masterpiece is astonishingly brief, typically just 5 minutes. Imagine a luxurious, creamy, and deeply flavorful pizza ready in a flash, perfect for those evenings when time is precious but cravings are strong.

The Secret to Unforgettable Flavor: PHILADELPHIA Brand Cooking Creme

What truly sets this pizza apart is its ingenious base. While traditional garlic chicken pizzas often rely on a homemade cream sauce, I opted for a brilliant shortcut that delivers exceptional results: the new line of PHILADELPHIA Brand Cooking Cremes. Specifically, the “Italian Herbs & Cheese Cooking Creme” was my choice, and the outcome was nothing short of spectacular. I had spotted these new cremes at my local grocery store and knew instantly they held the potential to transform a simple recipe into something extraordinary.

And transform it did! The Cooking Creme provided an incredible depth of flavor and an unparalleled creaminess that traditional sauces often struggle to achieve without significant effort. It infused every bite with a rich, herbaceous essence, making the pizza taste far more complex and decadent than its humble ingredient list would suggest. Honestly, I would have never guessed this pizza comprised just seven core ingredients. The PHILADELPHIA Brand Cooking Creme acts as a velvety, seasoned foundation, ensuring every slice is packed with savory goodness.

The beauty of this product is its ability to deliver a robust flavor profile effortlessly. It melts beautifully, creating a consistent, luscious layer that binds the toppings together perfectly. This innovative approach not only saves time but also guarantees a consistently delicious result, making it a staple in my kitchen for quick, impressive meals.

Assembling Your Masterpiece: Simple Ingredients, Grand Flavors

This recipe champions simplicity without compromising on taste, calling for just seven essential ingredients. Each component plays a crucial role in creating a harmonious blend of textures and flavors:

• Roasted Garlic Cloves: The star of the show. Roasting garlic mellows its pungency, transforming it into a sweet, caramelized, and spreadable delicacy that adds incredible depth. We’re talking whole, tender cloves that burst with flavor.
• Your Favorite Pizza Crust: Whether you prefer homemade for that artisanal touch or a quality store-bought crust for ultimate convenience, the choice is yours. A good base is key to any great pizza.
• PHILADELPHIA Brand Italian Herb & Cheese Cooking Creme: As mentioned, this is the magic ingredient, replacing a conventional sauce with a rich, creamy, and pre-seasoned base that elevates the entire dish.
• Shredded Cooked Chicken: For speed and ease, I often reach for a rotisserie chicken. Its tender, pre-cooked meat is perfect for shredding and incorporating into the pizza, saving valuable time.
• Sliced Onions: White or red, thinly sliced onions add a subtle sweetness and a slight tang that complements the savory chicken and garlic. Feel free to adjust the quantity or omit them if you prefer.
• Shredded Cheese: While mozzarella is a classic choice, don’t be afraid to experiment! I once accidentally bought Monterrey Jack instead of mozzarella, and the result was absolutely delightful. Its meltiness and mild flavor were a fantastic surprise, so feel free to mix and match or stick to your favorite.
• Fresh Parsley: A handful of finely chopped fresh Italian parsley adds a burst of freshness and a vibrant color, cutting through the richness of the cheese and creme.

The accidental substitution of Monterrey Jack cheese proved to be a stroke of genius, offering a mild, buttery flavor and exceptional melt. This happy discovery is a testament to the versatility of this recipe – feel free to personalize it with your preferred cheeses or even a blend!

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Tips for the Perfect Roasted Garlic Chicken Pizza

Mastering Roasted Garlic

The foundation of this pizza’s exceptional flavor lies in perfectly roasted garlic. Roasting transforms raw garlic’s sharp, pungent bite into a sweet, mellow, and almost buttery spread. For the best results, look for plump, firm garlic heads. You can roast them ahead of time and store the cloves in olive oil in the refrigerator for up to a week, making your pizza prep even faster on busy days. Don’t rush this step; the deeply caramelized flavor is irreplaceable.

Choosing Your Crust Wisely

Your pizza crust can make or break the experience. While a homemade crust offers an unparalleled freshness and texture, high-quality store-bought options are fantastic time-savers. As Ali’s Tip suggests, consider asking your favorite local pizzeria if you can buy their fresh dough. This is a brilliant hack that gives you the taste of authentic pizzeria crust without the fuss of making it from scratch. Experiment with thin, crispy crusts or a slightly thicker, chewy base to suit your preference.

Chicken Prep Made Easy

For convenience, rotisserie chicken is your best friend. It’s already seasoned and cooked to perfection, requiring only a quick shredding. If you have leftover cooked chicken from another meal, that works wonderfully too. For an extra layer of flavor, consider grilling or pan-searing chicken breasts specifically for the pizza, perhaps with a touch of Italian herbs, before shredding.

Get Creative: Delicious Variations to Explore

While this recipe is phenomenal as is, it also serves as a fantastic canvas for your culinary creativity. Here are a few ideas to inspire your next pizza night:

• Spicy Kick: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the Cooking Creme or sprinkle them over the cheese before baking for a touch of heat. A drizzle of hot honey after baking can also create a delightful sweet-spicy contrast.
• Veggie Boost: Incorporate finely chopped spinach, sautéed mushrooms, sun-dried tomatoes, or thinly sliced bell peppers for added nutrients and flavor. Remember to pre-cook any veggies that release a lot of moisture to prevent a soggy crust.
• Herb Power: Beyond parsley, experiment with fresh basil, oregano, or even a sprinkle of rosemary. Fresh herbs added post-bake retain their vibrant flavor and aroma.
• Cheese Blends: Don’t limit yourself to just one cheese! A blend of mozzarella, provolone, fontina, or even a little Parmesan can add complexity and richness.
• Gourmet Drizzle: After the pizza comes out of the oven, a light drizzle of balsamic glaze, pesto, or a high-quality extra virgin olive oil can elevate the flavors to a gourmet level.

This Roasted Garlic Chicken Pizza is more than just a meal; it’s an experience. The combination of sweet roasted garlic, tender chicken, creamy PHILADELPHIA Cooking Creme, and melted cheese creates an irresistible symphony of flavors that will undoubtedly earn you rave reviews. Whether you’re making it for a casual weeknight dinner or to impress guests, this recipe is a guaranteed winner.

For even more new and delicious recipes made with PHILADELPHIA Brand Cooking Creme and Cream Cheese, be sure to explore the inspiring roundup of other BlogHer bloggers’ creations here. And don’t forget to visit the Real Women of Philadelphia website! It’s a vibrant community teeming with dozens of mouth-watering recipes, providing endless inspiration for your kitchen adventures.

For more fantastic recipes and culinary inspiration, check out the finalists of the Real Women of Philadelphia contest. The winners were announced on June 30^th at The Live Event, but the exceptional recipes from all the finalists are certainly worth exploring and enjoying. Happy cooking!