Ingredients

  • 1 teaspoon active dry yeast
  • 4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/3 cup olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 cup canola oil, for frying
  • 4 corn tortillas, sliced into thin strips
  • Olive oil, for oiling the baking sheet
  • 1/2 cup good-quality salsa, plus more for serving
  • 1 bag Chicken Taco Meat (partially thawed if frozen), recipe follows
  • 1 cup grated sharp Cheddar
  • 1 cup grated Monterey Jack cheese
  • 1 head green leaf lettuce, sliced or thinly shredded
  • 2 ripe tomatoes, diced
  • 1/2 cup fresh cilantro leaves
  • 1/4 cup sour cream
  • 3 tablespoons hot sauce, or more as needed
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 6 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 large onion, chopped
  • 2 tablespoons chili powder
  • 2 teaspoons paprika
  • 1 tablespoon cumin
  • Salt
  • One 14-ounce can tomato sauce

Method

  • For the pizza dough: Mix the yeast with 1 1/2 cups warm water in a measuring cup or small bowl and set aside for 8 to 10 minutes.
  • Mix together the flour, olive oil and salt in a bowl using an electric mixer.
  • With the speed on low, drizzle in the yeast/water mixture and mix until totally combined.
  • Cover the bowl with a towel and set in a warm, draft-free place.
  • Allow to rise for 1 to 2 hours.
  • For the tortilla strips: In a small skillet, heat the canola oil over medium heat until a test tortilla strip dropped in the oil sizzles immediately.
  • Drop in the remaining tortilla strips in batches, frying them quickly and removing them from the oil with a fork when crisp, 30 to 45 seconds per batch.
  • Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate.
  • Set aside.
  • For the taco pizza: Position an oven rack in the bottom position in the oven.
  • Preheat the oven to 500 degrees F. Oil a baking sheet with some olive oil.
  • Remove half of the pizza dough from the bowl.
  • (Place the remaining half in a large resealable plastic bag and refrigerate, saving it for another use.)
  • With your hands, spread the dough out on the oiled baking sheet, making sure it's relatively thin.
  • Spread a thin layer of the salsa all over the crust, then spread a layer of the Chicken Taco Meat on top of the salsa.
  • Sprinkle the grated Cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese over the top.
  • Place the baking sheet on the bottom rack in the oven and bake for about 25 minutes, watching to make sure the crust doesn't burn.
  • Remove the pizza from the oven and sprinkle on the shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes and cilantro leaves.
  • Mix together the sour cream and hot sauce in a small bowl, adding enough hot sauce to make the mixture pourable.
  • With a spoon (or you can put it in a pastry bag), drizzle the mixture over the finished pizza.
  • Sprinkle with the tortilla strips.
  • Cut into squares and serve immediately with more salsa.
  • In a skillet over medium-high heat, add the olive oil and heat until hot.
  • Add the chicken in batches and cook, browning, a couple minutes per side; remove the chicken to a plate using a slotted spoon.
  • Add the garlic and onions to the skillet and cook briefly.
  • Add the chili powder, paprika, cumin and salt to taste.
  • Pour in the tomato sauce and 2 cups water to create a broth.
  • Add the chicken back to the skillet.
  • Bring to a boil, then simmer until the broth is reduced by half.
  • Let cool, divide among 4 freezer bags and freeze.
  • Yield: 16 to 20 servings.