Get ready to fall in love with this Butter Chicken Pizza Recipe—a dreamy mashup that takes everyone’s favorite creamy, spiced Indian dish and piles it on a classic, cheesy pizza. This recipe is the marriage of two comfort foods, pairing buttery, tomato-rich chicken with golden, bubbly mozzarella and a crisp crust. It’s bold, colorful, and surprisingly easy, making it perfect for both weeknight dinners and casual gatherings with friends. If you’ve ever wished takeout could taste this special, this Butter Chicken Pizza Recipe is about to become your new go-to craving!
Ingredients You’ll Need
Simplicity and bold flavors shine in this Butter Chicken Pizza Recipe. Each ingredient brings something special—savory, creamy, or aromatic—making every bite unforgettable. Here’s what you’ll need, with tips for that perfect no-fuss, restaurant-level result:
- Oil: Provides the base for sautéing and brings out the spices for a richer flavor.
- Boneless, skinless chicken thighs: Juicy and tender, they soak up spices beautifully.
- Garam masala: Adds authentic Indian warmth and complexity.
- Ground cumin: Boosts earthiness and that quintessential curry background.
- Paprika: Delivers color and a subtle, smoky sweetness.
- Turmeric: Imparts a gentle earthiness and a vibrant golden hue.
- Salt: Enhances all the flavors and balances the sauce.
- Small onion: When finely chopped, it melts into the sauce for sweet-savory depth.
- Garlic: Freshly minced for punchy aroma and bold taste.
- Fresh ginger: Grated ginger gives zing and complexity.
- Tomato sauce or purée: The saucy foundation for creamy, tangy depth.
- Heavy cream: Gives that signature luscious, silky texture to the butter chicken.
- Butter: Essential for richness and that classic Indian finish.
- Prepared pizza dough: Store-bought or homemade, it’s the easy vehicle for all your toppings.
- Shredded mozzarella cheese: Melts into irresistible, stretchy pools over the chicken.
- Red onion: Thinly sliced for a crisp, fresh bite and pop of color.
- Chopped fresh cilantro: Sprinkled at the end for herby brightness (don’t skip this!).
- Melted butter (optional): Brushed on the crust for an extra touch of decadence.
How to Make Butter Chicken Pizza Recipe
Step 1: Cook the Butter Chicken
Heat the oil in a skillet over medium heat, add the chicken, and sprinkle in the garam masala, cumin, paprika, turmeric, and salt. Stir well so every piece of chicken gets coated in that fragrant spice blend. Cook for about 4–5 minutes—you’re looking for the chicken to get nicely browned. Next, toss in the chopped onion, garlic, and ginger, letting everything sauté together for another 3–4 minutes until the onions are soft and golden. Pour in the tomato sauce, let it simmer for 5 minutes, then lower the heat and stir in the heavy cream and butter. Give it a gentle simmer until the sauce thickens and coating the chicken luxuriously—think creamy, dreamy, and rich. Take off the heat and let it cool a bit before using on your pizza.
Step 2: Preheat and Prep Your Base
While your butter chicken cools, heat your oven to 475°F (245°C). Roll out your pizza dough on a lightly floured surface to your desired thickness—thin and crisp, or thicker and chewy. Lay it onto a pizza stone or baking sheet for best results. This step is a great place to get the whole family involved (little hands love to stretch dough!).
Step 3: Assemble That Pizza
Start by spreading a generous spoonful of the butter chicken sauce directly onto your pizza dough—focus on getting a nice layer of sauce for full flavor. Dot the surface with the delicious chicken pieces, making sure every bite has some. Sprinkle the mozzarella cheese all over, then scatter thin slices of red onion for a bit of crunch and color. You want a nice balance of toppings, so nothing takes over but every flavor gets its moment to shine.
Step 4: Bake to Cheesy Perfection
Pop the pizza into your hot oven and bake for 12–15 minutes, until the crust turns golden and the cheese is bubbly and starting to brown in splotches. You’ll know it’s done when you see that gorgeous, blistered top and can smell the aromas wafting through your kitchen. If you love a buttery crust, brush the outer edges with a little melted butter right when it comes out of the oven.
Step 5: Finish and Serve
Finally, scatter fresh chopped cilantro over the hot pizza just before slicing. This final touch wakes up all those rich flavors, and gives your Butter Chicken Pizza Recipe a beautiful, inviting finish. Cut into wedges and serve immediately, while the cheese is perfectly gooey!
How to Serve Butter Chicken Pizza Recipe
Garnishes
Don’t hold back on garnishes—fresh cilantro is the absolute must, but a swirl of plain yogurt or raita can add a cool, tangy contrast to all that spiced creaminess. You could also try a sprinkle of chili flakes for a little heat, or a squeeze of fresh lime juice for zing.
Side Dishes
This Butter Chicken Pizza Recipe is phenomenal on its own, but it pairs well with light, fresh sides. Think a crisp cucumber salad, thinly sliced carrots tossed in lemon juice, or even a simple green salad dressed with a citrusy vinaigrette. If you want something heartier, try serving it with warm naan or roasted chickpeas.
Creative Ways to Present
For parties, slice the pizza into small squares for easy finger food. Or, use naan bread instead of classic dough to make individual, personal-sized butter chicken pizzas—these are always a hit at get-togethers! If you’re serving kids, get playful and let them decorate their own mini pizzas with the toppings. You can even grill the pizza outdoors for a fun BBQ twist.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have leftover slices (which is rare, honestly!), let them cool completely before stacking and wrapping in foil or placing in an airtight container. The Butter Chicken Pizza Recipe stays fresh in the fridge for up to 3 days, keeping its flavors vibrant and the crust relatively crisp.
Freezing
To freeze, arrange cooled slices between layers of parchment paper in a freezer-safe container or zip-top bag. This prevents sticking and makes it easy to grab just one slice at a time. You can freeze butter chicken pizza for up to 2 months—just be sure to wrap well to maintain maximum freshness.
Reheating
To reheat, pop slices into a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for about 8–10 minutes, or until cheese is melted and bubbly again. For a quick fix, you can also use a skillet on the stovetop (lid on, low heat!) to re-crisp the crust, or zap it in the microwave for about a minute, though the oven really delivers the best texture.
FAQs
Can I use store-bought butter chicken for this pizza?
Absolutely! Leftover or store-bought butter chicken works great for this Butter Chicken Pizza Recipe. Just be sure to drain off any excess liquid so your pizza doesn’t get soggy.
What type Main Course
Any prepared dough works well, from classic Italian style to whole wheat or even naan for a quick, easy base. Gluten-free doughs will also give you a delicious result if you’re avoiding wheat.
Can I make this pizza vegetarian?
Definitely! Substitute paneer, tofu, or even roasted cauliflower for the chicken and prepare the sauce as directed. You’ll still get all the rich flavors characteristic of the Butter Chicken Pizza Recipe.
Is this pizza spicy?
This recipe is flavorful and aromatic rather than hot, but you can add a pinch of cayenne or sliced fresh chilies to turn up the heat as much as you like.
How do I avoid a soggy crust?
The key is to spread only a thin layer of the sauce directly on the pizza base and drain the chicken pieces well. Baking on a preheated stone or heavy baking sheet also really helps crisp the bottom.
Final Thoughts
If you’re craving something extraordinary and crowd-pleasing, this Butter Chicken Pizza Recipe manages to surprise, satisfy, and earn rave reviews every single time. It brings together the best of Indian takeout and pizza night at home—and once you taste that creamy sauce and melty cheese on a golden crust, you’ll be hooked. Give it a try, share with friends or family, and savor every last bite!
Print
Butter Chicken Pizza Recipe
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 8 slices 1x
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in the delicious fusion of Italian and Indian flavors with this Butter Chicken Pizza recipe. A creamy butter chicken sauce tops a golden crust, creating a unique and flavorful pizza experience.
Ingredients
For the Butter Chicken:
- 1 tablespoon oil
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs (cut into bite-sized pieces)
- 1 teaspoon garam masala
- ½ teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ¼ teaspoon turmeric
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 small onion (finely chopped)
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 teaspoon fresh ginger (grated)
- ½ cup tomato sauce or purée
- ¼ cup heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon butter
For the Pizza:
- 1 prepared pizza dough (homemade or store-bought)
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ¼ cup red onion (thinly sliced)
- ½ cup butter chicken (prepared above)
- Chopped fresh cilantro (for garnish)
- 1 tablespoon butter (melted, optional for brushing crust)
Instructions
- Make the Butter Chicken: Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the chicken, garam masala, cumin, paprika, turmeric, and salt. Cook for 4–5 minutes until browned. Add chopped onion, garlic, and ginger, and sauté for another 3–4 minutes until soft. Stir in tomato sauce and simmer for 5 minutes. Add cream and butter, stir to combine, and simmer until thickened. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
- Assemble the Pizza: Preheat oven to 475°F (245°C). Roll out the pizza dough on a lightly floured surface and transfer to a baking sheet or pizza stone. Spread a thin layer of the butter chicken sauce over the dough (use the sauciest part of the mixture). Distribute chicken pieces evenly across the surface. Top with mozzarella and sliced red onion. Bake for 12–15 minutes, or until the crust is golden and cheese is bubbly and browned in spots. Remove from the oven, brush the crust with melted butter if desired, and garnish with chopped cilantro. Slice and serve hot.
Notes
- For a naan-style base, use naan bread instead of traditional dough for individual pizzas.
- Add a drizzle of yogurt or raita on top for extra flavor.
- Leftover butter chicken works great for this recipe.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Fusion, Indian-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 310
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 470mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 26g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 17g
- Cholesterol: 60mg
