
This daring spin on classic pizza combines fiery chicken, zesty pickled jalapeños, and a fragrant garlic oil foundation for a memorable taste explosion. Without the usual tomato sauce, each thoughtfully selected component gets its chance to truly pop.
I stumbled onto this pizza when trying to use up some leftover pickled jalapeños. The combo was so incredibly good, it's now what we look forward to every Friday night.
Key Ingredients Breakdown
- Pickled Jalapeños: Add zippy heat and needed tang
- Fresh Garlic: Has to be just-minced for the most flavorful oil
- Mozzarella: Go with fresh for that dreamy stretch and melt
- Chile Powder: Try to find New Mexican for the real deal taste
- All-Purpose Flour: The protein level counts - grab unbleached for top results
Crafting Your Dream Pizza
- Step 1 - Start with the Dough:
- Stir yeast into warm water - it should feel nice like bath water. Add flour bit by bit for the right gluten formation. Let it rise properly for amazing texture and taste.
- Step 2 - Whip Up the Garlic Oil:
- Chop garlic super tiny. Mix with oil right away to blend the flavors. Squish garlic into oil to get every bit of taste out.
- Step 3 - Fix the Chicken:
- Slice into same-sized pieces so they cook evenly. Don't hold back on seasoning - it gets milder in the oven. Cook just until done so it won't dry out later.
- Step 4 - Put Your Pizza Together:
- Get that dough nice and thin for a crunchy base. Don't go overboard with garlic oil - a touch does the trick. Spread toppings out evenly for the best experience.

I've learned this pizza works wonders at parties since you can prep most of it ahead. People always chat about how different and tasty it is.
The Magic Behind This Pizza
You can switch up your toppings all week long with this dough, which makes planning meals so much easier.
When I'm cooking for the week, I often cook extra spicy chicken to throw into tacos or bowls in the next few days.
Whenever I want to show friends something beyond basic pizza, this is my go-to. Even folks who swear by tomato sauce end up loving it.
After trying the garlic oil base, I got ideas for tons of other cool pizza combos I'd never thought of before.

Making this pizza over and over has shown me that stepping away from the usual can lead to amazing food discoveries. It shows how switching just a few ingredients can turn an everyday dish into something totally new and exciting.
Frequently Asked Questions
- → Why use a thin crust here?
- It keeps the toppings center stage and balances the flavors perfectly.
- → How do I save extra dough?
- Wrap it tightly in plastic and foil, then store it in the fridge for 4-5 days.
- → What does pre-baking do?
- It makes sure the thin crust bakes all the way through.
- → Can I lower the spice level?
- Yes, cut back on the jalapenos or chile powder for milder heat.
- → Why shouldn’t I fully cook the chicken?
- Leaving it slightly underdone keeps it moist after the final baking.