Thin-crust pizza with creamy garlic-Parmesan white sauce, tender chicken, and fresh broccoli florets
# What You'll Need:
→ Pizza Dough
01 - 1 lb prepared pizza dough, homemade or store-bought
02 - 1 tablespoon olive oil for brushing
→ Garlic-Parmesan White Sauce
03 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
04 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
05 - 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
06 - 1 cup whole milk
07 - 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
08 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
09 - 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
10 - 1/4 teaspoon dried Italian herbs, optional
→ Toppings
11 - 1 cup cooked chicken breast, diced or shredded
12 - 1 cup broccoli florets, blanched and chopped
13 - 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
14 - 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
15 - 1 teaspoon olive oil
16 - Pinch of red pepper flakes, optional
17 - Fresh parsley, chopped for garnish, optional
# Step-by-Step Guide:
01 - Preheat oven to 475°F. If using a pizza stone, place it in the oven to heat.
02 - Roll out pizza dough on a lightly floured surface into a 12-inch circle. Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet or pizza peel. Brush the edge with olive oil.
03 - In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt butter. Add minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant. Stir in flour and cook for 1 minute. Gradually whisk in milk until smooth. Add Parmesan, salt, pepper, and Italian herbs. Cook, stirring, until thickened, approximately 2-3 minutes. Remove from heat.
04 - Spread the garlic-Parmesan sauce evenly over the pizza dough, leaving a 1-inch border around the edges.
05 - Evenly scatter the chicken and broccoli over the sauce. Top with mozzarella and additional Parmesan. Drizzle with 1 teaspoon olive oil and sprinkle with red pepper flakes if desired.
06 - Transfer the pizza to the oven and bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the crust is golden and cheese is bubbling.
07 - Remove from oven and let cool for 2 minutes. Garnish with fresh parsley. Slice and serve hot.