As far as I can recall, I’ve always loved bread, any kind of dish that involves bread making gets me excited! I am a true breadaholic (if such a thing exists), which is why some members of my family say I could live off the stuff (they’re not wrong there either). And that’s really what I think a pizza is, a flat piece of bread with yummy things on top, lol! Ok, so maybe I’m over simplifying it a tad, but you get the gist of it. Not only do I love eating dough based foods, I love the whole baking process – the waiting for the dough to rise, knocking the air out of it and the smell after it’s been baked, it’s all just so exciting, and this Chicken Tikka and Jalapeno Pizzas should definitely hit the spot as the base is super fluffy and light and beats anything store bought.
My pizzas have been widely tasted by my family and friends and everyone says the same thing, they’re always amazed at how soft the base is. I put this down to the use of milk powder, which helps to create a very soft dough. There is actual science behind this which is why if this if your first time baking a pizza base with the use of milk powder, you will notice the difference. So if you were planning on skipping the milk powder because you don’t usually have it at home, here’s where I tell you that that’s a bad idea, don’t skip it!
The recipe itself isn’t complex but you do need to allow yourself enough time to create the different stages of the pizza. The lengthiest part of the recipe is making the pizza base, once that’s done everything else is pretty much straight forward.
I have divided this recipe into three stages; the first stage shows you how to prepare the dough, in the second stage we make the pizza sauce and the third and final stage is creating the chicken tikka strips for the topping. You can chop and change the toppings for whatever you like and if you can’t get hold of passata, you can always use canned tomatoes, just whizz them in the blender beforehand.
Because everything within the recipe is made from scratch, including the pizza sauce, I have tried to use ingredients which save time ie. use garlic powder instead of prepping fresh garlic and using passata instead of canned tomatoes, to save having to puree the pizza sauce afterwards to make it smooth. Even the chicken tikka isn’t a lengthy chicken tikka recipe like the one here, as it’s going on top of the pizza with other ingredients, it doesn’t need to be very complex.
My children adore homemade pizzas and get really excited when I make this for dinner, I really hope that those of you who have been eagerly waiting for this recipe are pleased with it too and that it delivers all that you expect it to!
Serves 4 -6
You will need: for Chicken Tikka and Jalapeno Pizzas
For the pizza dough (makes 2 pizza bases):
1 cup + an additional 1/2 cup of warm water
2 tsp sugar
2 tsp dried yeast
500g plain flour
1 tsp salt
4 tbsp dried milk powder
2 tbsp oil
For the tomato sauce:
500g passata (I used a whole carton and stored the remaining sauce in the freezer for use later)
1 tsp oregano
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp basil
1/2 tsp ground black pepper
1/2 tsp salt (adjust to taste)
For the topping:
300g chicken breast (approximately)
1 tsp tandoori powder
1/2 tsp chilli powder
1/4 tsp cumin powder
1/4 tsp coriander powder
1/4 tsp salt (adjust to taste)
red food colouring (optional, I used about 1/4 tsp)
1 small sliced red onion
grated cheddar cheese (as required)
jalapenos (as required)
Method:
Start by measuring 1 cup of warm water and add 2 tsp of sugar.
Note, you need to use an ACTUAL measuring cup and not a random cup. Also, the water should not be hot, as this can kill the yeast and will prevent the dough from rising.
Stir to dissolve the sugar and add 2 tsp of dried yeast, mix again and leave to one side for 10 minutes till frothy.
In a large bowl measure 500g of plain flour, add 1 tsp of salt….
….4 tbsp of dried milk powder and 2 tbsp of oil.
If you are using your stand mixer, attach the dough hook and start to mix the ingredients on low. Alternatively you may use a wooden spoon to start off with and then take over with your hands.
Once the yeast is frothy it is ready to add to the the bowl.
Whilst mixing on low speed, add the yeast mixture gradually to the bowl.
Measure an additional 1/2 cup of warm water and slowly add to the mixing bowl, keep mixing on this speed till the ingredients start to form a ball of dough.
Increase the speed, you will see the dough slowly start to pull away from the bowls, beat for 2 – 3 more minutes.
The top left photo shows you what the dough should look like, don’t worry if the dough doesn’t look completely smooth, it will be smooth by the end of the next few steps.
The dough is meant to be slightly sticky, note how the dough sticks to my hand in the top right photo. This ensures you have a super soft pizza base and crust instead of something dense and chewy.
Now is the fun part! You know when you’re feeling aggressive (can’t just be me that feels that way!) but can’t take it out on anything? Well now you can!
Take the dough and lift it up and SLAP it down HARD on the counter, and I mean be as aggressive as you want! Lift and repeat for 15 – 20 more times, or as many times as needed till the dough feels elastic and smooth.
Kids may enjoy this part, just make sure the dough doesn’t hit the floor or ceiling, lol!
Pull the dough over itself, it should look like the top left photo.
Lightly oil the mixing bowl, place the dough inside and coat with the oil.
Leave covered with a cloth to rise for 1 hour or until doubled in volume.
To make the easy pizza sauce place 500gm passata in a bowl and add 1 tsp of oregano….
….1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp basil, 1/2 tsp ground black pepper and 1/2 tsp salt.
Mix the ingredients and leave to one side till needed.
Take the chicken breast and slice it into strips about 1cm thick.
Add all the spices – 1 tsp tandoori powder, 1/2 tsp chilli powder, 1/4 tsp cumin powder, 1/4 tsp coriander powder, 1/4 tsp salt (adjust to taste) and red food colouring (optional, I used about 1/4 tsp).
Add 1 tbsp of oil and mix the ingredients together, ensure all the chicken pieces are coated evenly.
Heat some oil in a frying pan and once hot, fry the chicken tikka slices for 2 – 3 minutes either side.
Don’t overcook the chicken as they will cook further when baked on the pizza in the oven.
Don’t overcrowd the pan to ensure you get nice even browned pieces of chicken, cook them in batches.
Once all the chicken is cooked, leave to cool to one side till needed.
Take two pizza trays and line with greaseproof paper.
Once your dough has doubled in size (top left photo) you are ready to stretch it out.
Remove the dough from the bowl and knock out the air, then cut your dough into two pieces….
….and place the dough on the pizza trays.
Using your hands and fingers, stretch the dough….
….pushing from the centre outwards, making sure the dough is level and even as you do so, till it reaches the edges of the pizza pan.
Next create a rim for the pizza bases; using the tips of your fingers create some indentations around the edge of the pizza bases (bottom left photo), this will stop the sauce from spilling over.
It should look like the bottom right photo once you are done. Do this for both pizza bases.
Once both pizza bases are shaped I usually let them prove for another 30 minutes, this gives the bases a super fluffy texture. This is not necessary if you are rushed for time.
Prepare any other extra toppings you may want to add to your pizzas, for this recipe we are using sliced red onion and jalapenos. Don’t forget to grate the cheddar also if you are using block cheese (cheese is not pictured as I used ready grated cheese)
Spread the tomato sauce made earlier over the pizza bases, be generous, using the back of a spoon or ladle makes this easier.
Add red onions to the top of the pizza followed by some grated cheddar, not too much.
Then arrange the chicken tikka slices and pour over any juices from the chicken on top too. I crammed all my chicken pieces onto one pizza because I kept the second vegetarian.
Add more grated cheddar and lastly top off with jalapenos.
Bake the pizza in a preheated oven, gas mark 5 for 25 – 30 minutes till the pizza is golden brown and the cheese has melted.
Serve with your favourite sides and enjoy homemade pizza that tastes better than the pizza place!
Bon Appetit!
- For the pizza dough (makes 2 pizza bases):
- 1 cup + an additional ½ cup of warm water
- 2 tsp sugar
- 2 tsp dried yeast
- 500g plain flour
- 1 tsp salt
- 4 tbsp dried milk powder
- 2 tbsp oil
- 500g passata (I used a whole carton and stored the remaining sauce in the freezer for use later)
- 1 tsp oregano
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp basil
- ½ tsp ground black pepper
- ½ tsp salt (adjust to taste)
- 300g chicken breast (approximately)
- 1 tsp tandoori powder
- ½ tsp chilli powder
- ¼ tsp cumin powder
- ¼ tsp coriander powder
- ¼ tsp salt (adjust to taste)
- red food colouring (optional, I used about ¼ tsp)
- 1 small sliced red onion
- grated cheddar cheese (as required)
- jalapenos (as required)
- Start by measuring 1 cup of warm water and add 2 tsp of sugar.
- Note, you need to use an ACTUAL measuring cup and not a random cup. Also, the water should not be hot, as this can kill the yeast and will prevent the dough from rising.
- Stir to dissolve the sugar and add 2 tsp of dried yeast, mix again and leave to one side for 10 minutes till frothy.
- In a large bowl measure 500g of plain flour, add 1 tsp of salt....
- tbsp of dried milk powder and 2 tbsp of oil.
- If you are using your stand mixer, attach the dough hook and start to mix the ingredients on low. Alternatively you may use a wooden spoon to start off with and then take over with your hands.
- Once the yeast is frothy it is ready to add to the the bowl.
- Whilst mixing on low speed, add the yeast mixture gradually to the bowl.
- Measure an additional ½ cup of warm water and slowly add to the mixing bowl, keep mixing on this speed till the ingredients start to form a ball of dough.
- Increase the speed, you will see the dough slowly start to pull away from the bowls, beat for 2 - 3 more minutes.
- The top left photo shows you what the dough should look like, don't worry if the dough doesn't look completely smooth, it will be smooth by the end of the next few steps.
- The dough is meant to be slightly sticky, note how the dough sticks to my hand in the top right photo. This ensures you have a super soft pizza base and crust instead of something dense and chewy.
- Now is the fun part! You know when you're feeling aggressive (can't just be me that feels that way!) but can't take it out on anything? Well now you can!
- Take the dough and lift it up and SLAP it down HARD on the counter, and I mean be as aggressive as you want! Lift and repeat for 15 - 20 more times, or as many times as needed till the dough feels elastic and smooth.
- Kids may enjoy this part, just make sure the dough doesn't hit the floor or ceiling, lol!
- Pull the dough over itself, it should look like the top left photo.
- Lightly oil the mixing bowl, place the dough inside and coat with the oil.
- Leave covered with a cloth to rise for 1 hour or until doubled in volume.
- To make the easy pizza sauce place 500gm passata in a bowl and add 1 tsp of oregano....
- tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp basil, ½ tsp ground black pepper and ½ tsp salt.
- Mix the ingredients and leave to one side till needed.
- Take the chicken breast and slice it into strips about 1cm thick.
- Add all the spices - 1 tsp tandoori powder, ½ tsp chilli powder, ¼ tsp cumin powder, ¼ tsp coriander powder, ¼ tsp salt (adjust to taste) and red food colouring (optional, I used about ¼ tsp).
- Add 1 tbsp of oil and mix the ingredients together, ensure all the chicken pieces are coated evenly.
- Heat some oil in a frying pan and once hot, fry the chicken tikka slices for 2 - 3 minutes either side.
- Don't overcook the chicken as they will cook further when baked on the pizza in the oven.
- Don't overcrowd the pan to ensure you get nice even browned pieces of chicken, cook them in batches.
- Once all the chicken is cooked, leave to cool to one side till needed.
- Take two pizza trays and line with greaseproof paper.
- Once your dough has doubled in size (top left photo) you are ready to stretch it out.
- Remove the dough from the bowl and knock out the air, then cut your dough into two pieces....
- and place the dough on the pizza trays.
- Using your hands and fingers, stretch the dough....
- pushing from the centre outwards, making sure the dough is level and even as you do so, till it reaches the edges of the pizza pan.
- Next create a rim for the pizza bases; using the tips of your fingers create some indentations around the edge of the pizza bases (bottom left photo), this will stop the sauce from spilling over.
- It should look like the bottom right photo once you are done. Do this for both pizza bases.
- Once both pizza bases are shaped I usually let them prove for another 30 minutes, this gives the bases a super fluffy texture. This is not necessary if you are rushed for time.
- Prepare any other extra toppings you may want to add to your pizzas, for this recipe we are using sliced red onion and jalapenos. Don't forget to grate the cheddar also if you are using block cheese (cheese is not pictured as I used ready grated cheese)
- Spread the tomato sauce made earlier over the pizza bases, be generous, using the back of a spoon or ladle makes this easier.
- Add red onions to the top of the pizza followed by some grated cheddar, not too much.
- Then arrange the chicken tikka slices and pour over any juices from the chicken on top too. I crammed all my chicken pieces onto one pizza because I kept the second vegetarian.
- Add more grated cheddar and lastly top off with jalapenos.
- Bake the pizza in a preheated oven, gas mark 5 for 25 - 30 minutes till the pizza is golden brown and the cheese has melted.
- Serve with your favourite sides and enjoy homemade pizza that tastes better than the pizza place!
If you like the recipe please share with friends and family, also follow me on Facebook and Instagram. Questions? Leave a comment below or message me on Facebook.
Aysha Mamodrafic-Rassul
I have made this recipe several times and making this pizza recipe again today. It’s the BEST recipe for pizza I have tried. Base always turns out perfect and toppings changed everytime but still tastes amazing.
afelia’s kitchen
So pleased you love this recipe, thanks for the wonderful review!
Haleema Banafe
The best pizza recipe. Every time I make this my children tell me it’s better that Pizza Hut.
N
Made this without milk powder once and it was such a flop….tried again with milk powder and the difference it made to the dough was amazing! Softest dough ever! Well done!
afelia’s kitchen
Yes, the milk powder makes such a difference to the fluffiness of the base. Really pleased you love the recipe.
Noreen
Mashaallah was delicious it was my first attempt .Base was a little thicker than I would have liked it still nice and fluffy though .Need to stretch it more next time could you roll it or would that affect the softness .
Jannah
The dough comes out amazing. I always use this recipe & always get compliments off everyone. I’ve been using it for a long time now, probably a couple of years. It’s so easy to do doesn’t take long at all! I didn’t have milk powder one day I tried it without it still comes out amazing.
Haleema Afzal
OMG! After following this lovely lady on insta and seeing her make this I requested my eldest 13 year old son to make it as I was really craving a homemade pizza. And much to my surprise and delight my son followed this recipe without any issues and baked the most perfct homemade pizza ever! Even better than my sister in laws who’s I thought were always exceptional. Now my sons confidence is sky high and has made these quite a bit and this recipe is perfct!! Thank you Afelia x bless your mum and dad for bringing u up soo well and educating and helping the ummah x
Afeefa
Will be making today in sha allah .loved the detail recipie
afelia’s kitchen
Yay!
Raaz
I was really impressed with this. My husband and my children loved it. Just one question, do I need a greaseproof paper or can go without it? I made one in the oven and two mini one in the air fryer. The air fryer was a hit and miss but the oven ones came out great.
afelia’s kitchen
I find the greaseproof paper makes the pizzas easier to remove from the trays after baking otherwise they can stick but it’s entirely up to you if you use it or not.
Bengali_mum_life
The pizza was perfect! (Even in rectangle form lol) Thank you so much for sharing your recipes. The sticky dough part was a mission but seeing the pictures helps to know I hadn’t gone wrong! Thank you again.
Zara
This is my go to recipe for pizza,after so many years of finding the perfect recipe, mashAllah, this is the best.
Jazakallah for sharing, have tried many of your recipes, all lovely MA.
Zarina Khan
I just needed a good pizza base recipe. This was spot on!
Principessabobbi
Absolutely amazing dough recipe. Followed the instructions just as you said sis and the results were amazing. This has to be the best pizza we have ever made at home and I will be using this recipe going forward as it’s perfect. JazakAllah Khair sis for sharing this recipe x
Benazir
Hi sister,
I have tried this pizza base recipe around three times now and it always turns out fantastic.
Super soft, light,fluffy and oh so delicious.
Super easy fail proof recipe.
May Allah reward you immensely. Much love from Sri Lanka
afelia’s kitchen
Jazak Allah khair for the great feedback, much appreciated! xx
Razwana Rehman
JazakAllah sister I made this for our iftari today after being so indecisive what to cook and if to order a pizza takeout. Im not keen on takeout pizza and thought let’s try Afeilas pizza as I follow you on Instagram. Wow MashaaAllah made 2 and they were delicious! Kids loved them Hubby loved them! After ages found the perfect pizza recipe.
May Allah bless you and your family with health & happiness xxx
Sum
Hi. Alfelia. I want to make the pizza. But only thing I don’t have these pizza pan. Can I put a normal pan?
afelia’s kitchen
Yes it should be fine, I sometimes use a cast iron pan or a large flat baking tray will be fine. x
nazma ahmed
Thanks family loved it. First time made pizza came out perfect.
afelia’s kitchen
You’re most welcome. x
Princessab
Absolutely amazing recipe. I made home made pizza from scratch today and this recipe is spot on. The dough is amazingly soft. I can honestly say that this will now be a staple in our home. Thank u for such an amazing recipe Afeliaskitchen. Ur amazing x
afelia’s kitchen
Thank you so much for the feedback, I always love knowing my recipes become staples in your households. xx
Shelema
My kids absolutely loved this and have requested this again. Problem is – there is so many recipes from this site I want to try! Hehehe. Easy and fun to get the kids involved with this one.
afelia’s kitchen
Aww bless!! I love knowing that your kids love this recipe, it’s easily one of my childrens’ favourites too! xx
Aysha
My hubby never eats home made pizza due to the base.my 6 yr old had made some friends with a few youngsters who are in ihtekaaf and said mummy can we mke pizza so we could give them.making is not a problem but getting it right for people in ihtekaaf was a bit scary.alhumdulillah it came out perfect.my hubby was skeptical to taste but loved it.he said it tastes just like a take away but much softer.he said leave the rest and not to give it to anyone! May allah reward you as you helped me cook pizza for ihtekaf men and boys.jzk
afelia’s kitchen
Aww such blessings in feeding people who are fasting and in the remembrance of Allah. I’m so pleased it came out better than you had expected it to. xx
JH
Salaam sis just wanted to ask is there an alternative to milk powder I can use? JazakA
afelia’s kitchen
Wa alaikum as salaam. If you don’t have milk powder the next best thing would be to use warm milk instead of warm water in the recipe. x
Sabah
I use this recipe for pizza base regularly for making pizzas now and it comes out perfect everytime. Thank you for sharing!
afelia’s kitchen
Excellent, I’m so glad you like the base recipe! xx
Kanwal
Hi, How much is 500gm of flour, I googled but that’s like 4 cups. I only want to make 2 or 3 pizza bases. So how much flour should I use. Plz help.. PS:plz give a recipe of eggplant lasagne and biryani.
afelia’s kitchen
The measurements here are enough for 2 pizza bases. x
Mahreen
Hi! I will be making the pizza tonight. Can I freeze the dough? I will only be making one pizza.
afelia’s kitchen
I’ve never tried myself but I’m sure you can. x
Mahreen
Thanks for your response. Are there any tips to avoid a soggy bottom on the pizza? When I made it my middle was still uncooked slightly.
afelia’s kitchen
Try to make sure you use a pizza baking tray where the air can get to the bottom. Also if you use any ingredients that release a lot of water (veggies), try to pan fry them beforehand so the pizza base doesn’t end up absorbing them. x
Mahreen
Thankyou very much!
Raheeema
Hey Afelia,
This recipe is failproof one, I loved it! I didnt have milk powder and so used warm milk instead of warm water and the pizza came out nice, crisp and soft.
Sayida
I tried this recipe and it tasted delicious but as someone has already mentioned above the greaseproof paper got stuck to the pizza instead of pressing on the dough could you not roll the dough and put it on the paper after rolling
afelia’s kitchen
It’s a very soft dough, so isn’t really something you can roll out without using a lot of flour but you can always try!
Lulu Alam
i find that when i use different brands of greaseproof paper my food sticks or doesn’t stick…try to get a good quality greaseproof paper.
Fahmida Khatun
Great recipe so easy to follow. I made it for the first time and alhamdulillah the dough came out perfect and so soft. Love the detailed instructions. Never thought I will make pizza from scratch thank you for your time in writing up the recipes.
Ghousia safdar
Its the best pizza i have ever had made just like u said and was so fluffy and taste great i made a few and froze them for lazy days and they r just like the fresh ones thank u for this recipie alot of my family love it to
afelia’s kitchen
You’re most welcome, I’m so happy think this is the best pizza recipe out there too! xx
Anisa
Hi. Your recipes look awesome. One quick question. How many cups flour is 500gms? Thank you
afelia’s kitchen
No idea, try googling the question. x
Tehra
ohh this one was a soo nice!! although i forgot jalapenos!!
afelia’s kitchen
It’s alright, with or without it’s still delicious!
Dr. Durfeshan Eram
May i know what’s the size of the pizza pan?? As the recipe says two pizza bases, what size please??
afelia’s kitchen
My pizza trays measure about 11.5 inches in diameter.
Benazir
It’s 4 cups
Mohima
1st time I attempted homemade pizza following the above recipe, again I was so happy how easy it was to follow. I used my own toppings. Eveyone loved the pizza and wanted more. Will def make many times more.
( I don’t normally give reviews or make comments but I felt guilty as I really like following ur recipe and taking tips from ur receipes ). All your food have flavour and taste. I am a person who needs to measure eveything and follow instructions and ur recipes do exactly that lol. Thank you for sharing
afelia’s kitchen
Haha, yaaaaay!! You’re welcome and I’m so happy to be able to share recipes you all enjoy with your families.
Henna
Hi, would love to try this- is the yeast the instant one? If I use instant can I put it into the dough directly without mixing it into sugar and water first?
afelia’s kitchen
Yes it is instant yeast and no, it can’t be put directly into dough, you need to dissolve it first in sugar and water like the recipe says.
Henna
Ok thank you! Will try it today
Aleena
Made this pizza yesterday, minus the jalapenos! Everything turned out so well! The crust was the star of the show, so chewy and held all the toppings and sauce really well! My husband didn’t leave any left overs from 2 whole pizzas haha. Thanks for the recipe!
afelia’s kitchen
You’re welcome! And I don’t blame your husband, he knows a good pizza when he tastes one! xx
Muslimahmummy
Hi sis ive just tried ur recipe and ive to say everything came out as expected but one thing ive noticed on my base is that the paper got stuck to the base so we ended up trying to take the paper off while eating the pizza lol. Taste was amazing though.
Any helpful hints as to how to avoid this sticky situation?
afelia’s kitchen
I’m assuming you used greaseproof baking paper? Not sure why your base got stuck, next time just sprinkle the paper with some semolina before placing the dough on top and that should help to prevent it from sticking. Glad you enjoyed it apart from that small hiccup, hope this helps for next time. x
Muslimahmummy
Thank u so much for the reply
Umm shaakirah
What can we put instead of semolina, if we don’t have any to stop the base sticking to the grease proof paper ?
Thankyou x
afelia’s kitchen
You can try using ground rice. x
Lulu Alam
Sesame seeds are awesome too!
Emma
It’s the yeast fast action ?
afelia’s kitchen
Yes it is. x
Madiha Sufian
v well explained. I have tried it and it turned out excellent. perfect pizza base!!
M
5 star recipe no doubt!
M
Having tried numerous pizza recipes, I’d always end up with a horrid tough base and the process would be so much longer! But masha’Allah this is such an amazing recipe and the pizza was lovely and soft, my kids absolutely loved it alhamdulillah. Thank you sis xx
Rehana
Love this recipe, exchanged chicken for frankfurters and taste brill!
Thanks Afelia
Mashal
I made it sister yummy ..my son said it’s the best pizza ever xxx
Kausar Balbale
I followed all the steps carefully as you have mentioned and I must say this is the first time I got a perfect crust… thankyou sooooooo much for sharing this recipe.. I am sharing the link with my friends..
Jasmin
Me and my husband planning what to eat he wanted to order a pizza i said why dont i make one. Like always i refer to Afelias kitchen. We both made the pizza together obviously got him to knead the dough which helped it come out sooo nice and fluffy. I bought all the ingredients Afelia noted. The steps were so easy and well explained. Tasted brilliant! Thank you for sharing such lovely recepis with us
Umm Abdullah
Brilliant recipe. I had to go with the ingredients I had at home, I didn’t have plain flour or milk powder but the base still came out fluffy. going to attempt again using the right ingredients
Sabah
I made pizza today using this recipe for the dough. The base came out really nice. Anyone thinking of going for this recipe should definitely go for it!