Mediterranean Chopped Salad Pizza

This Italian-American dinner recipe combines authentic flavors with modern cooking techniques. Ready in 35 minutes, serves 4 people. Slice the warm cheesy crust into squares first, then pile the cool dressed salad on top immediately before serving to maintain the temperature contrast.

Cuisine: Italian-American Type: Dinner Time: 35 min Servings: 4 Calories: 764 per serving

Nutrition Information

Each serving contains approximately 764 calories and 52.0g of protein. Macronutrients include 85.0g carbohydrates and 24.0g fats per serving.

Per Serving

Calories
764
Protein
52.0g
Carbohydrates
85.0g
Fats
24.0g

Total

Calories
3056
Protein
208.0g
Carbohydrates
340.0g
Fats
96.0g

Ingredients

This recipe requires 18 ingredients. All ingredients are commonly available at grocery stores.

  • 1.0 lb Whole Wheat Pizza Dough
    fresh or thawed, room temperature before stretching
  • 1.0 lb Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast
    seasoned and grilled or baked at 400°F, then diced into bite-sized cubes
  • 4.0 oz Part-Skim Mozzarella Cheese
    shredded (approx. 1 cup)
  • 2.0 whole Romaine Lettuce Hearts
    washed, dried thoroughly, and chopped into small ribbons
  • 15.0 oz Chickpeas (Garbanzo Beans)
    low-sodium, rinsed and drained well
  • 1.0 cup Cherry Tomatoes
    quartered lengthwise (to prevent choking hazard)
  • 0.5 whole English Cucumber
    diced small
  • 6.0 oz Artichoke Hearts
    canned in water, drained and chopped
  • 2.0 oz Kalamata Olives
    pitted, sliced or minced
  • 0.25 cup Red Onion
    finely diced (soak in water to reduce bite if preferred)
  • 0.5 cup Non-fat Plain Greek Yogurt
    whisked for dressing base
  • 2.0 oz Feta Cheese
    crumbled
  • 1.0 whole Lemon
    juiced (approx 2 tbsp)
  • 2.0 tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil
    for brushing crust and dressing
  • 1.0 tbsp Red Wine Vinegar
    for dressing
  • 1.0 tbsp Fresh Dill
    finely chopped
  • 2.0 clove Garlic
    minced or grated
  • 1.0 tsp Dried Oregano
    crushed between fingers

Instructions

Follow these 7 steps to prepare this dish. Each step includes detailed instructions for best results.

1. Mise en Place & Preheat

  1. Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C) and place a pizza stone or large baking sheet on the center rack.
  2. Remove 1 lb (454 g) pizza dough from refrigerator to reach room temperature for easier stretching.
  3. Gather equipment: Large skillet, cutting boards (one for meat, one for veg), chef's knife, large mixing bowl, and whisk.
  4. Wash 2 romaine hearts, 1 cup (150 g) cherry tomatoes, 0.5 english cucumber, and fresh dill; dry thoroughly.

2. Quick Chicken Preparation

  1. Dice 1 lb (454 g) boneless skinless chicken breast into small 0.5-inch (1.2 cm) bite-sized pieces.
  2. Heat 1 tsp oil in the large skillet over medium-high heat.
  3. Add chicken, season with salt and pepper, and sauté until golden and cooked through (165°F/74°C internal).

3. Pizza Crust Assembly

  1. Stretch the dough into a 12-14 inch (30-35 cm) circle or large rectangle on a piece of parchment paper.
  2. Brush dough edge-to-edge with 1 tbsp (15 ml) olive oil and sprinkle with half of the minced garlic.
  3. Evenly scatter 4 oz (115 g) shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese over the dough.

4. Bake Crust

  1. Transfer the dough (on parchment) onto the hot stone or baking sheet in the oven.
  2. Bake until the crust is deep golden brown and very crisp to support the salad weight.

5. Vegetable Preparation (During Bake)

  1. Chop 2 romaine hearts into thin ribbons.
  2. Quarter 1 cup (150 g) cherry tomatoes lengthwise and dice 0.5 english cucumber.
  3. Drain and rinse 15 oz (425 g) chickpeas; chop 6 oz (170 g) artichoke hearts and 2 oz (57 g) kalamata olives.
  4. Finely dice 0.25 cup (40 g) red onion and mince 1 tbsp (3 g) fresh dill.

6. Dressing & Salad Assembly (During Bake)

  1. In a large bowl, whisk 0.5 cup (120 ml) Greek yogurt, lemon juice, 1 tbsp (15 ml) olive oil, 1 tbsp (15 ml) red wine vinegar, remaining garlic, 1 tsp dried oregano, and the fresh dill.
  2. Add all chopped vegetables, chickpeas, cooked chicken, and 2 oz (57 g) crumbled feta to the bowl with dressing.

7. Serving Assembly

  1. Remove crisp pizza crust from oven and carefully slide onto a cutting board.
  2. Slice the hot cheesy crust into square pieces.
  3. Toss the salad mixture to coat evenly with dressing.
  4. Pile the cold dressed salad immediately on top of the hot sliced crust and serve.

Plating

  1. Transfer the hot, golden cheesy crust onto a large wooden serving board or platter.
  2. Slice the warm crust into serving-sized squares using a sharp pizza cutter or chef's knife before adding any toppings.
  3. In a large mixing bowl, thoroughly toss the cold romaine, chicken, chickpeas, vegetables, and olives with the yogurt dressing until every piece is coated.
  4. Pile the dressed salad mixture high onto the center of the sliced crust, allowing it to spread naturally towards the edges while maintaining height.
  5. Scatter the crumbled feta and remaining fresh dill over the top for a fresh, vibrant finish.

Family Beverage

Sparkling water with cucumber ribbons and fresh mint leaves

Alcohol Beverage

Chilled Sauvignon Blanc or a crisp dry Rosé

Serving Suggestions

Slice the warm cheesy crust into squares first, then pile the cool dressed salad on top immediately before serving to maintain the temperature contrast.

Notes

Baking the crust until golden and very crisp is essential to support the weight of the fresh salad toppings. Thoroughly dry the greens after washing to ensure the yogurt-based dressing clings well without becoming watery.

Storage

For the best texture, store the components separately rather than assembled. Keep the baked cheesy crust wrapped tightly in foil or in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Store the chopped salad vegetables, cooked chicken, and dressing in separate airtight containers in the fridge to maintain crunch and freshness. Assemble the salad on top of the reheated crust just before serving.

Freezing

The baked crust and cooked chicken can be frozen successfully, but avoid freezing the fresh salad ingredients or yogurt dressing. Wrap the cooled, baked crust in plastic wrap followed by foil, and place the diced chicken in a freezer-safe bag; store for up to 3 months. Thaw the crust and chicken overnight in the refrigerator before reheating the crust in the oven and assembling the fresh salad.

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