Since Dave's co-workers are having a weight-loss challenge, we've been eating a lot healthier in the Redhead Baker household. It's paying off — two weeks in, Dave's winning!
Cooking Light has been a godsend for delicious, healthy recipes. Have you checked out the May issue? It's ALL about fast recipes, ready in 25 minutes or less.
And thanks to Cooking Light, we can still eat pizza! There's a round-up on their site of pizza toppings under 200 calories.
This pizza replaces the sauce with flavorful pesto, and adds lean shredded chicken and bell pepper strips; instead of tons of mozzarella cheese, a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese.
Even our toddler loved this pizza, which surprised me a little, since he refuses to eat anything green (including green fruits). I tried to "hide" the pesto under the shredded chicken, peppers and cheese. He pulled most of the peppers off, but the pesto didn't deter him.
I hope you'll try this pizza. It's so flavorful, you won't miss the extra calories!
Pizza with Pesto, Chicken and Bell Pepper
Recipe source: Cooking Light
Ingredients
- 14 to 16 ounces of pizza dough, store-bought or homemade
- ⅓ cup pesto, store-bought or homemade
- ¾ cup shredded roasted chicken breast
- ½ cup sliced red bell pepper
- ⅓ grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese
Directions
- Place a pizza stone or upside down baking sheet in the oven, and preheat the oven to 450 degrees.
- Roll the dough out into a circle 12 to 14 inches in diaemeter.
- Spread the pesto on the pizza dough using the underside of a large spoon.
- Scatter the shredded chicken and red bell pepper slices over the pesto.
- Sprinkle the cheese over the whole pizza.
- Use a pizza peel to transfer the pizza to the hot pizza stone. Bake for 18 to 20 minutes, until the pizza dough is fully baked and lightly browned.
- Remove the pizza from the oven, and let rest for 10 minutes.
- Use a pizza cutter to cut the pizza into 8 slices and serve hot.
Yield: 4 servings (2 slices each)
USA Kiwi (Kylee) says
I'm all about pizza, and if you can lose weight while eating well - BONUS!
Great looking pie there!
Julie says
I love a good quick recipe -- this looks great!
Amy @Very Culinary says
Pesto on pizza is our favorite - my kids even prefer it over red sauce!
Samantha says
I'm all about pesto and pizza and if together they are lighter pizza toppings then I'm all in.
Stephanie @ Back For Seconds says
Wow, this looks delicious!
Lana @ Never Enough Thyme says
Yum! Delicious combination with the pesto, chicken, and peppers. I've put this on my menu for next week.
Ginny McMeans says
What a yummy sounding precipe. I am so looking forward to grilling pizza!
christine says
This sounds great. My pizza stone has been pulling double duty this winter, we can't get enough. This looks like an awesome combination of flavors to try out
[email protected] says
I love grilling pizza and love me some pesto. My kiddies aren't fans you know just the basic for them with cheese but the hubby and I would love this, I'd just make it on a gluten free dough.
foodwanderings says
Wow. Whoever heard of a pizza under 200 calories. That is quite the achievement. All the ingredients that I love in one. This is a great mid week or a weekend treat.
Sarah Caron (Sarah's Cucina Bella) says
Really? Under 200 calories? Count me in!
Mallory says
yummy. This is perfect for summer cookout!
Kim (Feed Me, Seymour) says
I can definitely get on board with this pizza! It looks fantastic and low calorie!? Win/win!
Jen says
I love Cooking Light when I need to reboot and start eating healthier. They just have a way of making it so much more appealing!
Wendy | Around My Family Table says
This looks amazing...my type of pizza!
Jenn @ Deliciously Sprinkled says
YUM, looks delicious! 🙂
Christine from Cook the Story says
I love that this pizza is healthier than most. FABULOUS!
Meredith at in sock monkey slippers says
Love this! Great flavors and it's deliciously healthy. And I'm on your favorite blog list?! That just made my day!!! Thanks Coleen.
Lauren @ Healthy Delicious says
I used to love Cooking Light, but I stopped my subscription a while back because I felt like I was starting to see the same stuff over and over. I'll have to pick up a copy though - it sounds like they've been on their a-game lately!
Susan says
Pizza on a diet? I want to be on that one. This version sounds fantastic.
Nutmeg Nanny says
Hooray for being in the lead! This pizza looks great and it's even better that it's healthy!
Christiane ~ Taking On Magazines says
I love Cooking Light's recipes! They always have so much flavor for as little as they put on my butt. Your version looks absolutely delicious.