Monday, September 13, 2021

Healthier Pizza with Outer Aisle Gourmet...Featuring California Chicken Cauliflower Crust Pizza with Chipotle-Ranch Drizzle #healthy2021 #fewercarbsandfat #lighteneduppizza

In the coming weeks, I'
m going to be partnering with Outer Aisle® to feature some healthier, lower-carb Fall and holiday recipes using their versatile and delicious cauliflower pizza crusts and sandwich thinsI love their products so much that I don't even miss high-carb bread, tortillas, pizza crust, etc.! I'm kicking things off today with a personal pizza that's a lighter homemade riff on a flatbread from Schlotzsky's restaurant. My California Chicken Cauliflower Crust Pizza with Chipotle-Ranch Drizzle tastes like a splurge...but it's much lower in fat and carbs! The inspiration for this modern spin on tradition pizza came from my friend Amber, who was looking for a way to enjoy a lighter version of this restaurant favorite at home. This is the end result of my tinkering around in the kitchen. One big reason that I love Outer Aisle pizza crusts is that I can enjoy an entire personal-size pizza. Chicken breast, turkey bacon, roasted red peppers, avocado, and green onion are reminiscent of your favorite club sandwich. Then? The mildly spicy chipotle-ranch drizzle takes every bite over the top!
I baked this pizza in an air fryer, but it can also be baked in a traditional oven. I provide directions for both cooking methods below. One of the biggest complaints I hear about cooking with cauliflower crusts and sandwich thins is that they make your final pizza/sandwich soggy. That's such an easy fix! Simply toast the cauliflower crust/thin in your hot air fryer or oven for about 8 minutes before you assemble for the final bake. The end result will be crispy and perfectly cooked. 

California Chicken Cauliflower Crust Pizza
with Chipotle-Ranch Drizzle
NOTE: Although this pizza is baked in an air fryer, it can also be baked in a 425℉ degree standard oven. For the cauliflower thins' first toast, bake for 7 minutes per side. Baking the assembled pizza will take an additional 10-12 minutes in a standard oven.

Ingredients (makes ONE personal size pizza...but is easily doubled):
  • One Outer Aisle Pizza Crust
  • 1 TBS fat free Ranch dressing [NOTE: I used Walden Farms]
  • 1.75 ounces cooked chicken breast, chopped
  • 1 slice cooked turkey bacon, cut into small pieces
  • 1/3 cup total shredded lowfat mozzarella and cheddar cheeses
  • 1/3 cup chopped roasted red pepper
  • 1/8 cup thinly sliced scallion
  • .75 ounce diced avocado
  • Drizzle: 1 TBS yogurt-based Ranch [NOTE: I used Bolthouse Farms Ranch for the drizzle] + 1/2 tsp. chipotle spice blend 
Directions:
Step 1: Heat air fryer to 400℉ and toast the cauliflower crust for 4 minutes per side, until golden and starting to crisp. Assemble the pizza. Spread the fat free Ranch on top of the cauliflower crust, all the way to the edge. Top with the cheese blend, chopped chicken, turkey bacon, and roasted peppers. 
Step 2: Bake the pizza in the air fryer for 7 minutes, until the cheese is melted and the cauliflower crust is dark brown at the edges. Note that although the ingredients are to make ONE pizza, I actually made two pizzas -- doubling the ingredients -- so I'd have one to freeze for later in the week!
Step 3: Garnish the baked pizza. Add the avocado and green onion evenly on top of the pizza. To make the drizzle, combine the yogurt-based Ranch dressing and chipotle seasoning in a small bowl. Carefully spoon into a snack-size plastic zip bag. Just before serving the pizza, snip the corner off the baggie, and drizzle the mixture on top of the pizza. Use a pizza cutter to quarter the pizza and serve while warm.
This pizza is so good! It's hard to believe that it's lower in fat, carbs, and calories than the original...but it is! The Outer Aisle Pizza Crust baked up crispy...and not the least bit soggy despite the amount of toppings I used. If you think you can't eat healthy and still enjoy pizza, I hope this pizza creation has changed your mind! I hope you try it out in your kitchen for your next at-home Pizza Night.

Disclosure: Outer Aisle has provided with a variety of their cauliflower pizza crusts and sandwich thins to facilitate recipe development for the Fall and holiday season. All opinions provided are solely my own -- including specific product brands I recommend in the ingredient list.

No comments:

Post a Comment

I love hearing your feedback!!!