I’m always keeping an eye out for a nugget of inspiration to create a new recipe, whether it’s from a local restaurant, a TV show, old family favorites or from definitely from friends.
So when my intern and I were working last week, talking shop about design, food and our never ending to-do list, we realized it was time for lunch. Over lunch is when she shared an idea for a recipe that her friend had mentioned to her, and she was having some major cravings.
Chicken Tzatziki Pizza.
I thought it was a brilliant idea since I could incorporate my favorite pizza topping: my beloved artichoke hearts. And of course, melty cheese.
I love pizza, and while I really like making my own dough for grilled pizza, sometimes my love for a quick and easy spin wins out, like my Pumpkin and Fried Sage Flatbread which uses flatbread in dough’s place.
Since this is a greek inspired pizza, a thick pita bread crust was pretty much a no-brainer. And how simple, right?
Topping the pitas with a slather of garlic infused tzatziki gives simple, whole ingredients a lush flavor-filled kick. Kalamata olives, artichoke hearts, sun dried tomatoes and spunky feta cheese fulfill its Greek goddess destiny. And please, please don’t forget the gooey mozzarella.
I just know once intern Annie sees this she’s going to request it for lunch next week. I think I can do that.
Chicken Tzatziki Pizza
Ingredients
For Tzatziki Sauce
- 1 cup plain greek yogurt
- ½ cup sour cream
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 cucumber peeled, cut in quarters and seeded
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 tablespoons fresh dill
- kosher salt
For Pizza
- 4 pieces Greek flatbread or pita breads
- Tzatziki sauce
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup shredded chicken breast
- ½ cup sliced kalamata olives
- ⅓ cup sliced sun-dried tomatoes
- 1 cup quartered artichoke hearts packed in water drained
- ⅓ cup feta cheese
- oregano
- kosher salt
- fresh dill for garnish
- red chili pepper flakes for garnish
Instructions
To Prepare Tzatziki Sauce
- Add garlic, cucumber and dill to a the bowl of a food processor fit with a metal blade and chop ingredients. Add yogurt, sour cream, lemon juice and dill and pulse to blend. Add salt to taste. Refrigerate for one hour then serve.
To Prepare Pizza
- Preheat oven to 450 degrees F.
- Place pita breads domed side down on a baking sheet covered with parchment paper. Slather each bread with 1-2 tablespoons of tzatziki, then top each with with about ⅓ to ½ cup mozzarella cheese. Layer chicken breast, olives, tomatoes and artichoke hearts on top of the mozzarella then top with sprinkling of feta cheese and a sprinkle of oregano.
- Place in oven and bake for 10-12 minutes or until cheese is melted and feta cheese starts to turn golden. Remove, garnish with fresh dill sprigs, red chili flakes and more feta if desired, cut into quarters and serve.
There’s a myriad of other tastees to top this delicious sauce upon and these food bloggers have put their stamp on Tzatziki.
In my opinion burgers always need a saucey-sauce, but when Sonia gives a burger a fresh, healthy spin in The Healthy Foodie’s Quinoa Burger and Tzatziki Sauce, she shares a chunky topper that’s a true show-stopper.
Carolyn puts this creamy cucumber sauce straight to the top of the comfort food ladder with All Day I Dream About Food’s Feta-Stuffed Turkey Meatload with Tzatziki Sauce.
Kita pays homage to Kevin’s recipe when she broadens her horizons in Pass the Sushi’s Lamb Grilled Cheese Sandwich with Tzaziki.
Paola melds flavorful and heart-healthy salmon with hearty bread and a glaze of tzatziki for #gnom-gnom’s Salmon ‘n Tzatziki (Ultimate) Sandwich.
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Such a great combo of flavors. Loved it! I will definitely make it again!
So has anybody tried making this? How was it?
Absolutely 100% yes Alison. I actually just made this tonight for about the 20th time in the last 4 years and it was DElish! It’s a favorite around here. You’ve got to make it.
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Ich denke, harte Diät ist gefährlich für die Gesundheit, wie Kartoffelrösti pizza, weil seine darunter mehr colries, die nicht besser ist für Körper becuuse harten Ernährung nicht ausgewogen sein in unserem Körper. Daher bei nicht mehr Leute es mögen.
I’m a huge lover of anything with tzatziki sauce on it. I wish there were more Greek food around where I live. Anyway I’m looking forward to trying this pizza… I love how easy it is to throw together! Ummm and those quinoa burgers? — Omg love!
Fabulous! I love the idea of doing a quick pizza on a pita! Especially homemade, which I’ve attempted a few times…
This looks delicious, Heidi! What an interesting idea to try tzatziki on a pizza. Beautiful shots, as always!
Artichoke is my favorite pizza topping too!! This looks amazing!
OMG, seriously drooling over this.
And here I was, thinking I just want ice cream for dinner tonight (it happens, right?) but it turns out that savory does in fact sound good :)
This looks so good! I will have to make it soon!
Heidi, it was so nice to meet you on Saturday! You’ve got me all inspired to write an e-book…someday:)
I love tzatziki sauce and this pizza looks perfect. Love your photography.
I love Greek food, and tzatziki sauce is an absolute favorite. This pizza looks perfect, such great flavors together!
I love tzatziki sauce! My Hubs and I put it on anything we can. Soooo goood! Your pizza is genius! But I am pretty sure I said it few times already on your blog. :)
Can you please make my lunch for me? You always have the best ideas.
This pizza is stunning, Heidi! I love the idea of using tzatziki sauce as pizza sauce. Perfect for the toppings, too!
Oh man, Heidi, looks soooo good!
XO Marian! I’ll make it for you sometime :)
Is it time for dinner yet? I need this pizza in my life, asap!
Ooooh this pizza… come to MAMA.
I know this sounds totally bizzaro, but I think I might want to try this with salmon (as I don’t eat chicken). What do you think? Too crazy?
Absolutely give it a try with salmon. I bet it would be delicious.
This totally fulfills that tzatziki need! I love that you used Greek flat bread/pita bread! As always, I love your recipes. :)
Holy crap. Now I’m craving this too. I have a feeling I’ll be making it this weekend. And maybe turning Thursketti into Tzatziki Thursday…
Wishing i was at your place for lunch! This looks beyond good
GREAT looking!! Hope you are well! MIss you!
Oh. My. Gawd. This looks amazing!! Must try soon. :)
I love, love, love tzatziki. (I always have to take my time to spell that small word, tricky). I never would have thought to make a pizza with it. This looks so so good!
Heidi this looks aMAZing! This is definitely on the list for one of the next meals without my kiddo – his palate isn’t quite there yet. But i know wifey and i would love it. And those are some beautiful pics you’ve got there. Kinda want to grab a slice right through the screen for breakfast.
Yes, Smudge wasn’t all that into it either. But she did make her own marinara and cheese laden pizza on the pita bread and it was all I could do to not eat an entire half as she swatted me away.
Heidi. Oh wow. Oh wow. Oh wow.
{That is all.}
Mother. May. I.
Your intern is one smart girl. This looks awesome.
Your pizza is drop dead gorgeous! I want to peel back each and every layer of those artichokes that I can see (great clarity…your photography never ceases to amaze!) – so delish, Heidi!
Well, I’m sold. Pizza is my ultimate favourite meal and it’s never like my boyfriend takes any convincing to make it for dinner, but he’s a tzatziki fiend so I’m sure this could make it onto our general meal rotation. YUM. Kudos to Annie for the recipe inspiration!