Pesto Chicken Pizza

It may be stretching it to say that I made this recipe up, as the ingredients are about four items and it is so easy, but claiming it I am.  

I always forget how easy it is to make your own pizza crust and I need to do it more often.  I love pizza and this has to be way healthier than frozen pizza or store bought crust, right? 

I use  a recipe for the crust from a cookbook I got for one of my wedding showers.  One of the few recipes I use these days that I did not get from pinterest. 

1 package active dry yeast

2/3 cup warm water

2 cups flour

1 tsp salt

1. Put yeast in small bowl.  Add half water and stir with fork until yeast is dissolved. Set aside for ten minutes.

2. Mix flour and salt in a medium bowl. Pour in the yeast mixture.  Stir well until flour has been absorbed. (I always have to add more water.) 

3. Shape the dough into a ball and place on floured surface.  Knead the dough for about 5 minutes by taking the far end of the dough, folding it over and pushing it down with your hands.  

4. Place the dough in a large clean bowl and cover with a cloth.  Let rise for 1 hour.  (I usually let it sit for much longer until I'm ready to make the pizza later in the day.) 

Place the dough on a cutting board covered with flour.  Add flour as needed and shape the dough into your crust.  I just put it on a regular cookie sheet and shape the dough to fit whatever sheet I'm using. 

I've used this dough to make BBQ chicken pizza or just cheese pizza with toppings.  For this one I used a jar of pesto sauce, shredded chicken and mozzarella cheese.  Spread the pesto on the crust and cover with chicken and cheese.  

Bake at 450 for 15-20 minutes.  

I want to start having pizza night Friday nights.   One time I made a deep dish pizza that was delicious, but took forever.  Someday.  Someday.