Super Spicy Pizza Picnic

Pizza super yummy and with marinaded spicy chicken toppings, this pizza wins a prize for most yummy picnic pizza. Here is the super delicious recipe.

Shawarma Chicken & Marinade

• 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs (sliced into thin strips)
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp ground coriander
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• ½ tsp ground turmeric
• ½ tsp ground cardamom
• ½ tsp ground cinnamon
• 1 tsp kosher salt & ½ tsp freshly cracked black pepper

Garlic Drizzle Sauce

• ½ cup Greek yogurt or mayonnaise
• 2 tbsp tahini
• 2 cloves garlic, finely grated or pasted
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 1–2 tbsp warm water (to thin for drizzling)
• Pinch of salt

Pizza Base & Assembly

• 1 ball pizza dough (about 12–14 inches, store-bought or homemade)
• ½ cup crushed San Marzano or pizza tomato sauce (seasoned with a pinch of oregano and cumin)
• 1½ cups shredded low-moisture whole-milk mozzarella
• ½ small red onion, thinly sliced
• Optional fresh toppings: pickled turnip spears or dill pickles (diced), chopped flat-leaf parsley, pinch of sumac

1. Marinate & Sear the Chicken
   • Whisk the olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, spices, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Toss the sliced chicken thighs until evenly coated. Let sit for at least 20 minutes (or overnight in the fridge).
   • Heat a cast-iron skillet over high heat. Sear the chicken pieces in a single layer until deep golden-brown with slightly charred edges, about 5–6 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.
2. Prep the Sauce & Oven
   • Preheat your oven to 500°F (260°C), or as high as it will go. If using a pizza stone or baking steel, place it on the upper-middle rack for at least 45 minutes to heat through.
   • Whisk together the garlic sauce ingredients (yogurt/mayo, tahini, grated garlic, lemon juice, salt), adding warm water 1 tsp at a time until smooth and drizzle-ready.
3. Assemble the Pizza
   • Stretch the pizza dough onto parchment paper or a cornmeal-dusted pizza peel into a 12- to 14-inch round.
   • Spread the spiced tomato sauce evenly across the dough, leaving a ½-inch border.
   • Scatter the shredded mozzarella across the sauce.
   • Distribute the seared shawarma chicken and sliced red onions evenly over the cheese.
4. Bake to Crisp
   • Slide the pizza onto the hot stone/steel (or onto a preheated baking sheet).
   • Bake for 10–12 minutes until the crust is blistered, browned, and the cheese is bubbling.
5. Garnish
   • Transfer to a cutting board. Drizzle liberally with the prepared garlic sauce.
   • Finish with fresh parsley, a dusting of tangy ground sumac, and diced pickles if desired. Slice immediately and serve hot

Super yummy spicy pizza