You know those nights when you’re staring into the fridge, willing something delicious to magically appear? That’s exactly how my naan chicken pizza was born! I had leftover naan from takeout night and some chicken that needed using – and oh my goodness, the result was life-changing. This fusion dish combines all the best parts of Indian flatbread with classic pizza comfort, and it comes together faster than you can say “takeout menu.”
What I love most (besides the speed) is how the naan gets perfectly crisp on the bottom while staying tender inside. The garlicky crust pairs so well with the melty mozzarella and spiced chicken. My kids actually cheer when they see me pulling out the naan now – that’s how good this quick meal is. Trust me, once you try this, you’ll never look at plain old pizza dough the same way again.
Why You’ll Love This Naan Chicken Pizza
Let me count the ways this naan chicken pizza will become your new weeknight hero:
- Speed demon: Ready in under 30 minutes – faster than delivery!
- Flavor bomb: That garlicky naan base takes ordinary pizza to exciting new heights
- No-fuss flexible: Use whatever leftover proteins and veggies you’ve got lurking in the fridge
- Crowd-pleaser: Kids devour it, adults rave about it – everybody wins
Seriously, once you taste that crispy-chewy naan crust, you’ll wonder why you ever bothered with regular pizza dough.
Ingredients for Naan Chicken Pizza
Here’s what you’ll need to make my favorite quick-fix dinner (and trust me, you probably have most of this already!):
- 2 pieces of naan bread – store-bought works great, but if you’ve got homemade stashed away, even better
- 1 cup cooked chicken, shredded (I use rotisserie chicken when I’m really in a hurry)
- 1/2 cup pizza sauce – don’t skimp here, it’s the flavor foundation
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella – I like to mix in some cheddar sometimes for extra personality
- 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced (soak in cold water for 5 minutes if you want to tame the bite)
- 1/4 cup bell peppers, diced small – any color works, but I love the pop of red
- 1 tsp garlic powder – because can you ever have too much garlic?
- 1 tsp dried oregano – that classic pizza flavor we all love
- 1 tbsp olive oil – for that perfect golden crust
See? Nothing fancy – just simple ingredients that transform into something magical in minutes!
How to Make Naan Chicken Pizza
Okay, let’s turn these simple ingredients into the most delicious naan chicken pizza you’ve ever tasted! The process is so easy you’ll have it memorized after your first try. Here’s exactly how I make mine:
Preheat and Prepare
First things first – crank that oven to 375°F (190°C). While it’s heating up, grab your naan and brush both sides lightly with olive oil. This little step makes all the difference – it gives the crust that irresistible golden crispness while keeping the inside perfectly tender. Place the oiled naan on a baking sheet and let it hang out while you prep the toppings.
Assemble the Pizza
Now for the fun part! Spread your pizza sauce evenly over each naan – I like to leave about a half-inch border for that perfect crust edge. Sprinkle on a generous layer of mozzarella (don’t be shy with it!), then scatter your shredded chicken evenly across the cheese. Top with those beautiful red onions and bell peppers – I like to arrange them in little clusters so every bite gets some. Finish with a dusting of garlic powder and oregano for that authentic pizza parlor aroma.
Bake to Perfection
Slide your assembled naan chicken pizzas into the hot oven and set a timer for 10-12 minutes. You’ll know they’re done when the cheese is gloriously bubbly and starting to brown in spots, and the edges of the naan are crisp. Pro tip: If you want extra browning, pop them under the broiler for just 30 seconds at the end – but watch closely!
Let the pizzas rest for a minute before slicing (I know, the wait is torture!) – this helps the cheese set so it doesn’t slide right off when you cut into it. Then dig in and enjoy your masterpiece!
Tips for the Best Naan Chicken Pizza
Want to take your naan chicken pizza from good to “Oh my god, did you make this?” levels? Here are my tried-and-true secrets:
- Fresh is best: Use naan baked the same day – stale naan won’t get as crispy
- Spice it up: Add a pinch of garam masala to the chicken for extra warmth
- Herb magic: Toss fresh cilantro on after baking for a bright pop of flavor
- Cheese trick: Mix mozzarella with smoked gouda for next-level melty goodness
Little tweaks make a huge difference – have fun experimenting!
Ingredient Substitutions and Variations
Don’t stress if you’re missing something – this naan chicken pizza is crazy flexible! No naan? Try roti or even pita bread in a pinch. Vegetarian? Swap the chicken for paneer or spiced chickpeas. Dairy-free? Nutritional yeast works shockingly well instead of cheese. And those veggies? Throw on whatever’s in your crisper – I’ve used everything from zucchini to pineapple with great results.
Serving Suggestions for Naan Chicken Pizza
This naan chicken pizza is perfect on its own, but I love pairing it with a simple cucumber raita for dipping or a crisp green salad with lemon dressing. For movie nights, serve with extra pizza sauce for dunking those crispy crust edges!
Storing and Reheating Leftovers
If you somehow have leftovers (rare in my house!), wrap them tightly in foil or store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. To reheat, I always use the oven at 350°F for about 5 minutes – it keeps that naan crisp. The microwave works in a pinch, but the crust won’t be as perfect. Pro tip: Add a few fresh cheese shreds before reheating for that just-baked melty goodness!
Naan Chicken Pizza FAQs
Got questions about this naan chicken pizza? I’ve got answers! Here are the things people ask me most often:
Can I use store-bought naan?
Absolutely! That’s actually what I use 90% of the time. Just look for fresh naan in the bakery section – the softer and fresher it is, the better your crust will turn out.
How can I make it spicier?
Oh, my fellow heat-seeker! Try these tricks: mix red pepper flakes into the sauce, use spicy chicken tikka instead of plain chicken, or add sliced jalapeños under the cheese. A sprinkle of chili powder on top after baking adds instant fire.
Can I make this ahead of time?
You sure can! Assemble the pizzas (without baking) and refrigerate for up to 4 hours before cooking. The naan might soften slightly, but it’ll still crisp up beautifully in the oven.
What’s the best cheese blend?
While mozzarella is classic, I love mixing in some shredded cheddar or even crumbled feta for extra flavor. For ultimate indulgence, try a blend of mozzarella, smoked gouda, and just a bit of parmesan.
Can I freeze naan pizzas?
Yes, but with a caveat – freeze them before baking. Wrap assembled pizzas tightly in plastic, then foil, and freeze for up to 2 months. Bake straight from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the cooking time.
Nutritional Information
Here’s the scoop on what you’re getting in each delicious serving of naan chicken pizza (about half a pizza): roughly 350 calories, 15g fat (5g saturated), 20g protein, and 30g carbs. But listen – these numbers can vary depending on your exact ingredients. Used extra cheese? That’ll change things. Light on the chicken? Different story. I always say good food is about balance, not strict counting – enjoy every bite!
Share Your Experience
I’d love to hear how your naan chicken pizza turned out! Did you try any fun variations? Leave a comment below or tag me on social media – I’m always looking for new ideas to test out in my kitchen. Happy cooking!
Print
38-Minute Naan Chicken Pizza for Crazy Fast Dinner Joy
- Total Time: 22 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings 1x
- Diet: Low Lactose
Description
A quick and easy naan chicken pizza recipe that combines the flavors of Indian cuisine with the convenience of pizza. Perfect for a fast weeknight meal.
Ingredients
- 2 pieces of naan bread
- 1 cup cooked chicken, shredded
- 1/2 cup pizza sauce
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup red onion, sliced
- 1/4 cup bell peppers, diced
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tbsp olive oil
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Brush the naan bread lightly with olive oil.
- Spread pizza sauce evenly over the naan.
- Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese on top.
- Add shredded chicken, red onion, and bell peppers.
- Season with garlic powder and dried oregano.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Slice and serve hot.
Notes
- You can use store-bought or homemade naan.
- Adjust toppings based on your preference.
- For extra spice, add red pepper flakes.
- Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for up to 2 days.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Fusion
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/2 pizza
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 50mg
Keywords: naan pizza, chicken pizza, quick meal, fusion recipe