Mesquite-Smoked Chicken and Peppers Pizza
If you're handy with a smoker, by all means make your own smoked chicken in advance of making pizza. Otherwise, buy prepared smoked chicken or substitute grilled chicken.
Makes two 12-inch pizzas
INGREDIENTS
- ½ recipe Pizza Crust for the Grill dough
- Cornmeal and flour for dusting
- Vegetable oil
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 cup Slow-Simmered Tomato Sauce
- ½ pound sliced mozzarella cheese
- ½ pound sliced provolone cheese
- 4 cups diced mesquite-smoked chicken
- 1 small red bell pepper, cored and cut in strips
- 1 small yellow or green bell pepper, cored and cut in strips
- 1 cup Asiago cheese, shredded
On a lightly floured board or on parchment, roll out two 12-inch dough circles. Place one circle of dough on a metal pizza peel or rimless baking sheet generously sprinkled with flour and cornmeal.
Prepare a gas or charcoal grill so that one area is hot while another side or corner is medium-hot. Add soaked mesquite chips to the coals or place in a wood chip container for gas grills. Brush the grill rack with vegetable oil. Slide the pizza onto the grill rack over the hot coals or heating element. Close the lid immediately and grill for 2 to 3 minutes or until pizza dough is cooked on the bottom and grill marks appear. Remove dough to peel or baking sheet, turning the grilled side up.
Brush the grilled pizza side with half the olive oil, then quickly spread half the pizza sauce. Cover the sauce with half the slices of mozzarella and half the slices of provolone. Top with 2 cups diced smoked chicken and half the pepper strips. Sprinkle with half the Asiago cheese.
Carefully slide the pizza back onto the grill, placing it over the medium-hot area. Close grill cover and cook 3 minutes. Check to make sure crust isn't browning too quickly. If it is, move some coals to the opposite side of the grill or lower gas grill thermostat to reduce heat. Continue to cook for another 4 to 5 minutes or until crust is browned and cheese is melted and bubbly. Remove from heat, cool slightly, and serve. Repeat cooking process with second pizza.
