Zinger Chicken Pizza from Pizza Hut features spicy, crispy chicken tossed in a zesty sauce, layered over a bed of melted mozzarella and tangy tomato sauce on a golden, thin crust, delivering a fiery and flavorful pizza experience.
Equipments
- Oven (pizza oven or convection oven)
- Pizza stone or baking tray
- Rolling pin
- Mixing bowls
- Knife
- Cutting board
- Spoon or ladle (for sauce spreading)
- Grater (for cheese, if needed)
- Tongs (for handling chicken)
- Brush (for oil or sauce, optional)
- Skillet or deep fryer (for crispy chicken)
- Thermometer (optional, for frying oil)
Ingredients
- For Zinger Chicken Pizza:
- Pizza Dough:
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2¼ teaspoons instant yeast
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 cup warm water
- Crispy Chicken:
- 1 lb (450g) boneless chicken breast or thigh
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ½ cup cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon salt
- Vegetable oil (for frying)
- Zesty Sauce (Zinger Sauce):
- ⅓ cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons hot sauce (such as Sriracha or Tabasco)
- 1 tablespoon ketchup
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- Tomato Pizza Sauce:
- 1 cup tomato sauce or pizza sauce
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Pizza Toppings:
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ small red onion, thinly sliced
- ½ green bell pepper, thinly sliced
- 1-2 green chilies, sliced (optional, for extra heat)
- Fresh coriander or parsley leaves (optional, for garnish)
- Olive oil (for brushing crust)
Using boneless chicken breast or thigh ensures tender meat for the crispy chicken, which needs marinating in buttermilk to achieve the signature zesty flavor and crunch. The combination of paprika, cayenne pepper, and garlic powder in both the crispy chicken coating and zesty sauce delivers the fiery taste unique to Zinger Chicken Pizza. Warm water activates the instant yeast in the pizza dough, making your crust golden and thin yet crispy. You can adjust the level of heat by adding or omitting green chilies in the toppings according to your preference. This Zinger Chicken Pizza copycat recipe from Pizza Hut allows you to recreate that spicy, flavorful experience in your own kitchen.
Instructions
- **INSTRUCTIONS:**
- **Prepare Pizza Dough:**
- In a mixing bowl, combine flour, sugar, salt, and instant yeast.
- Add olive oil and warm water.
- Knead until a smooth dough forms; cover and let rise for 1-2 hours until doubled.
- **Prepare Zinger Sauce:**
- In a bowl, mix mayonnaise, hot sauce, ketchup, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, black pepper, salt, and lemon juice.
- Stir until smooth; set aside.
- **Prepare Crispy Chicken:**
- Cut chicken into strips or small pieces.
- Mix buttermilk with a pinch of salt, soak chicken for at least 30 minutes.
- In a separate bowl, combine flour, cornstarch, paprika, cayenne, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, and salt.
- Dredge marinated chicken pieces in flour mixture.
- Heat oil in skillet/deep fryer (350-375°F/175-190°C).
- Fry chicken until golden and crispy; drain on paper towels.
- **Prepare Tomato Pizza Sauce:**
- In a bowl, mix tomato/pizza sauce with oregano, basil, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
- **Preheat Oven:**
- Preheat oven to 475°F (245°C). Place pizza stone/baking tray if using.
- **Assemble Pizza:**
- Roll out pizza dough on floured surface to desired thickness.
- Transfer to parchment or prepared pan.
- Spread tomato sauce over base.
- Sprinkle mozzarella cheese evenly.
- Distribute sliced onions, bell pepper, and green chilies.
- Toss fried chicken pieces in zinger sauce, then arrange on pizza.
- Brush crust edges with olive oil.
- **Bake Pizza:**
- Transfer pizza to oven; bake 12-15 minutes or until crust is golden, cheese is bubbling.
- **Finish & Serve:**
- Remove from oven. Garnish with fresh coriander or parsley if desired.
- Slice and serve hot.
Substitution
Zinger Chicken Pizza from Pizza Hut copycat menu offers a spicy twist with crispy chicken and a tangy zesty sauce on a thin crust. If you don't have buttermilk for the chicken marinade, you can substitute it with a mix of regular milk and a tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar to achieve similar tenderness. For frying, a deep fryer ensures even crispiness, but a heavy skillet with enough oil to submerge the chicken works well too. When rolling out the dough, if you don't have a rolling pin, pressing it evenly with your hands on a floured surface can suffice. Your choice of hot sauce in the zesty sauce can be adjusted to milder varieties to suit your desired spice level.
Tips
Make sure your oil temperature stays between 350-375degF (175-190degC) when frying chicken to ensure a crispy texture without greasiness. Let your pizza dough rise until doubled in size for a light and airy crust. Spread the tomato sauce evenly but avoid soaking the dough to prevent sogginess. Toss your chicken in the zinger sauce just before placing it on the pizza to keep the flavor vibrant and the coating crisp for your best pizza experience.
Nutritions
Zinger Chicken Pizza delivers a rich source of protein from the crispy chicken breast, supporting muscle maintenance and repair. The mozzarella cheese provides calcium essential for bone health, while the tomato sauce offers antioxidants like lycopene that may aid in reducing inflammation. Your intake of dietary fat and calories comes primarily from the fried chicken and zesty sauce, so moderation is key to balance indulgence with nutrition. Vegetables like bell peppers and onions add fiber and vitamins, enhancing the pizza's nutritional profile.
Storage
To keep your Zinger Chicken Pizza fresh, store any leftovers in an airtight container or wrap tightly with aluminum foil and refrigerate within two hours of baking. Reheat in a preheated oven at 375degF (190degC) on a pizza stone or baking tray for 8-10 minutes to maintain the crispy chicken and melted cheese texture. Avoid microwaving as it can make the crust soggy and decrease the overall flavor experience.
Variation or Alternatives
You can substitute boneless chicken thigh for breast to achieve juicier, more tender crispy chicken. For a healthier option, bake the dredged chicken pieces at 400degF (200degC) on a greased baking sheet for 20-25 minutes instead of frying. Swap out Sriracha with chipotle hot sauce to add a smoky depth to the zinger sauce, enhancing the overall flavor profile. Incorporating smoked paprika in the flour coating will provide a subtle smoky note that complements the spicy chicken.
Allergies
Your Zinger Chicken Pizza contains common allergens such as wheat (gluten) in the pizza dough and flour, dairy in the buttermilk and mozzarella cheese, and eggs potentially in the mayonnaise-based zesty sauce. The chicken breading includes multiple spices, which could trigger sensitivities for some individuals. If you have allergies to any of these ingredients, take care to avoid consumption or seek allergen-free alternatives.
Why this recipe?
Pizza Hut's Zinger Chicken Pizza menu is popular for its bold, spicy flavor that combines crispy Zinger chicken with a perfectly balanced blend of cheese and sauce. The distinctive texture and zesty seasoning deliver a satisfying, crave-worthy experience that stands out among standard pizza options. Trying to make a copycat version allows you to customize the spice level and ingredients to precisely match your taste preferences. Your homemade Zinger Chicken Pizza can replicate that unique, flavorful crunch while offering a cost-effective and rewarding cooking challenge.