Description
This High Protein Cottage Cheese Chicken Crust Pizza is a nutritious twist on traditional pizza, featuring a lean ground chicken crust combined with creamy cottage cheese for moisture and protein. Topped with a flavorful mix of marinara, mozzarella, green peppers, and pepperoni, it offers a protein-packed, satisfying meal with a rich, garlic and herb-infused crust. Perfect for those seeking a low-carb, high-protein alternative to regular pizza, it’s simple to prepare and deliciously comforting.
Ingredients
Scale
Crust
- 1 lb ground chicken (use lean chicken breast)
- 3/4 cup cottage cheese (recommend Good Culture brand for creamy texture)
- 2 eggs
- 2.5 tsp garlic powder
- 1.5 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp oregano
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Toppings
- 2/3 cup marinara sauce (preferably Rao’s Homemade for rich flavor)
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (shredded from block for best melt)
- 1/2 cup green peppers (diced into 1/2-inch pieces)
- 1 cup pepperoni slices
- 1/2 tsp dried basil
Instructions
- Prepare the chicken crust: In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground chicken, cottage cheese, eggs, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, and black pepper. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are evenly incorporated, forming a uniform batter-like dough.
- Shape and pre-bake the crust: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet or pizza pan with parchment paper or lightly grease it. Spread the chicken mixture evenly into a circular pizza crust shape, approximately 10-12 inches in diameter, ensuring it’s about 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick. Bake for about 15 minutes until the crust is set and beginning to brown.
- Add toppings: Remove the crust from the oven. Spread the marinara sauce evenly over the cooked crust. Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese on top, followed by the diced green peppers and pepperoni slices. Finally, sprinkle the dried basil over the toppings.
- Bake the pizza: Return the topped pizza to the oven and bake for another 10 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbling and the pepperoni is slightly crisped.
- Serve and enjoy: Remove from the oven, let the pizza cool slightly for a few minutes, then slice and serve warm. Enjoy a high-protein, flavor-packed meal that’s a healthy alternative to traditional pizza.
Notes
- Using lean ground chicken breast keeps the crust low-fat and high-protein.
- Shredding mozzarella from a block melts better than pre-shredded cheese.
- If you want a crispier crust, broil the pizza for 1-2 minutes at the end but watch closely to avoid burning.
- Feel free to customize toppings with your favorite low-carb vegetables or meats.
- If cottage cheese curds are large, briefly blend or whisk to a smoother consistency before mixing for a better crust texture.
