Make Your Own Italian Pizza at Home – Kid-Approved Fun!

Italy is famous for its delicious food, and what better way to enjoy it than by making your very own Italian-style chicken pizza at home? This fun and easy recipe is perfect for kids to help with—and it’s a great way to explore Italian culture right from your kitchen!

Ingredients

• 1/2 tablespoon active dry yeast

• 1 teaspoon sugar, divided

• 1/2 cup warm water (105–115°F)

• 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour, divided

• 3/4 teaspoon salt, divided

• 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided

• 1 (14.5 oz) can whole tomatoes, undrained

• 1 medium onion, chopped

• 1 garlic clove, minced

• 2 tablespoons tomato paste

• 1 teaspoon dried oregano, crushed

• 1/2 teaspoon dried basil, crushed

• 1/8 teaspoon black pepper

• 1/2 small red bell pepper, chopped

• 1/2 small green bell pepper, chopped

• 4 fresh medium mushrooms, sliced

• 1 3/4 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

• 1/3 cup sliced black olives

• 1 cooked chicken breast, shredded

Directions
To begin, proof the yeast: sprinkle it with 1/2 teaspoon sugar over the warm water. Stir until dissolved and let sit for 15 minutes until bubbly. If it doesn’t bubble, the yeast may be expired.

In a medium bowl, combine 1 1/2 cups flour and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Stir in the bubbly yeast mixture and 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Mix until a soft dough forms. Place the dough on a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth and elastic, using remaining flour as needed. Form the dough into a ball and place it in a greased bowl, turning it once to coat. Cover with a kitchen towel and let rise for 30–45 minutes, or until doubled in size.

Meanwhile, prepare the sauce. Chop the canned tomatoes (including juice). Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a saucepan and cook onion until soft, about 5 minutes. Add garlic, then stir in tomatoes, tomato paste, oregano, basil, the remaining sugar, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil, then simmer for 10–15 minutes until thick. Let the sauce cool.

Once the dough has risen, press it gently to remove air bubbles. Roll it into a 10-inch circle and place it on a greased 12-inch pizza pan, pressing it to the edges. Let it rest for 15 minutes.

Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C). Mix mozzarella and Parmesan in a bowl. Spread sauce over the dough and top with 2/3 of the cheese mixture. Bake for 25 minutes.

Remove the pizza, raise oven temp to 400°F (200°C), and add the toppings: chopped peppers, mushrooms, olives, and chicken. Sprinkle with remaining cheese and bake for 10 more minutes, or until golden and bubbly.

Pizza night is the perfect chance to explore Italian culture. You can make it even more educational by pairing the meal with Italian lessons for kids through Dinolingo. Their fun language-learning activities include games, songs, and videos designed for children aged 2–14.