There’s something undeniably fun about edible bowls—especially when they’re loaded with all the creamy, cheesy goodness of chicken Alfredo. This Chicken Alfredo Pizza Bowls Recipe takes your favorite comfort flavors and turns them into a handheld, crowd-pleasing treat you'll want to make again and again.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
Honestly, this Chicken Alfredo Pizza Bowls Recipe quickly became a staple in my house because it’s just so versatile and fun. Plus, the warm, garlicky chicken with creamy Alfredo inside a crisp pizza dough bowl? It’s like all your dinner favorites had a delicious baby.
- All-in-One Bowl: You get the combo of savory chicken, creamy sauce, melted cheese, and crispy crust all in a perfect portion-sized bowl.
- Hands-On Fun: Eating your meal inside an edible pizza dough bowl adds a playful twist that’s great for family dinners and parties.
- Customizable Comfort: You can tweak the seasonings, cheese, or even use different proteins based on what you’ve got on hand.
- Impressive Yet Simple: This recipe looks fancy but is straightforward enough to make on a weeknight without stress.
Ingredients & Why They Work
The ingredients here create a deliciously creamy, garlicky filling that pairs perfectly with a golden, herb-seasoned pizza dough bowl. Each component adds its unique touch, helping balance the flavors and textures.
- Garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasonings: These spices infuse the chicken and dough with that classic Italian flair and savory background notes.
- Kosher salt & black pepper: Essential for seasoning, bringing out all the flavors without overpowering the creamy sauce.
- Boneless skinless chicken breasts: Tender protein that soaks up the seasoning well and is easy to shred or dice for the filling.
- Olive oil: Used for cooking the chicken and brushing the dough for a golden, crispy finish.
- Pizza dough: The real MVP here — forms the edible bowl that crisps up just right to hold the rich filling.
- Shredded mozzarella cheese: Melts beautifully and adds gooey cheese pull magic to each bite.
- Fresh basil: Bright, herbal note to cut through the richness and add freshness.
- Unsalted butter & minced garlic: Make the Alfredo sauce luxuriously creamy and aromatic.
- Cream cheese: Adds richness and thickness to the Alfredo sauce without heaviness.
- Milk & grated Parmesan cheese: Milk lightens the sauce, while Parmesan adds that sharp umami depth.
Make It Your Way
One of my favorite things about the Chicken Alfredo Pizza Bowls Recipe is how easy it is to make it your own. I sometimes add mushrooms or spinach to the filling for extra veggies, and you can swap chicken for shrimp or even a plant-based protein.
- Variation: Adding roasted red peppers or sun-dried tomatoes amps up the flavor with a sweet tangy punch — trust me, it’s a crowd-pleaser!
Step-by-Step: How I Make Chicken Alfredo Pizza Bowls Recipe
Step 1: Season and Cook the Chicken
First, I mix together garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasonings, kosher salt, and black pepper, then rub this flavorful blend onto both sides of my chicken breasts. I heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat and cook the chicken about 6–7 minutes per side, until golden and cooked through. Pro tip: Let the chicken rest a few minutes before chopping—it keeps the juices locked in and the meat tender.
Step 2: Shape and Season the Dough Bowls
While the chicken cools, I roll out the pizza dough into circles big enough for bowls, about 6–7 inches in diameter. I brush them with olive oil mixed with Italian seasoning, kosher salt, and a little garlic powder. Then, I gently press the dough circles into a muffin tin, creating little bowls that will hold all that creamy chicken Alfredo goodness.
Step 3: Prepare the Alfredo Sauce
Next up is the Alfredo sauce — melt butter in a small saucepan, add minced garlic, and cook until fragrant. I stir in softened cream cheese until smooth, then slowly whisk in milk and grated Parmesan until the sauce thickens slightly. Add salt and pepper to taste. This creamy sauce is the magic that brings everything together.
Step 4: Assemble and Bake
With everything ready, I dice or shred the cooked chicken and toss it with the Alfredo sauce and shredded mozzarella. Spoon the mixture into each dough bowl, then bake at 375°F (190°C) for about 20 minutes until the dough is golden and the cheese is bubbly and lightly browned.
Step 5: Garnish and Enjoy!
Right after they come out of the oven, I sprinkle fresh chopped basil on top for brightness and a pop of color. Then, it’s hands-on—grab a bowl and dig in!
Top Tip
I’ve made Chicken Alfredo Pizza Bowls enough times to know a few little tricks make all the difference—these helped me get perfect bowls every time and keep the filling creamy without sogginess.
- Let Chicken Rest: After cooking, resting the chicken keeps it juicy and easier to chop, balancing the dish’s texture.
- Don’t Overstuff: Too much filling makes the dough soggy and harder to handle — I stick to about 3-4 tablespoons per bowl.
- Use Fresh Basil Last-Minute: Adding fresh basil right after baking keeps its color vibrant and flavor bright.
- Brush Dough with Olive Oil: Seasoned oil on the dough helps it brown evenly and adds subtle herb flavor your guests will notice.
How to Serve Chicken Alfredo Pizza Bowls Recipe
Garnishes
I like to top my pizzas with freshly chopped basil and maybe a sprinkle of extra Parmesan. Sometimes I drizzle a little garlic-infused olive oil over the top right before serving — it’s a game-changer!
Side Dishes
These pizza bowls pair wonderfully with a crisp green salad or simple roasted veggies like asparagus or broccoli. A tangy Caesar salad also cuts through the richness, balancing the meal perfectly.
Creative Ways to Present
For game days or parties, I’ve arranged smaller pizza bowls on a big serving platter with fresh basil and cherry tomatoes scattered around for color. Turning it into a shareable appetizer spread always gets compliments and smiles.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Let any leftovers cool completely, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. The dough crispness will soften a little but reheating brings back much of the original texture.
Freezing
I’ve frozen both assembled, unbaked pizza bowls and baked ones. For unbaked, flash freeze on a tray, then wrap tightly. Bake from frozen, adding a few extra minutes. For baked leftovers, reheat directly from frozen in the oven for best texture.
Reheating
To keep the crust crisp and the cheese melty, I reheat Chicken Alfredo Pizza Bowls Recipe in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10-15 minutes. Avoid the microwave if you want to prevent sogginess.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Absolutely! Using store-bought Alfredo sauce is a convenient shortcut. Just heat it gently with some cream cheese or Parmesan for extra creaminess before filling your pizza bowls.
I recommend rolling the dough out to circles about 6-7 inches in diameter so they fit nicely into a muffin tin and hold plenty of filling without spilling over.
Yes! You can assemble the pizza bowls a day ahead, keep them refrigerated, and bake them fresh before serving. This makes entertaining much easier and impresses your guests!
Definitely. Use a gluten-free pizza dough in place of regular dough. Just be mindful that gluten-free doughs can behave differently, so watch your baking time closely to avoid burning.
Final Thoughts
I always look for recipes that bring a little fun and comfort to the table, and this Chicken Alfredo Pizza Bowls Recipe hits the mark every time. It’s a reminder that sometimes, the best meals are the ones you get to hold in your hand and savor every bite of creamy, cheesy goodness. Give it a try—you’ll be amazed how easy it is to wow your family or friends with this creative twist on classic flavors!
Print
Chicken Alfredo Pizza Bowls Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 12 bowls
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Description
Chicken Alfredo Pizza Bowls combine the creamy richness of Chicken Alfredo pasta with the fun of edible pizza crust bowls. This recipe features tender seasoned chicken, a homemade creamy Alfredo sauce, and melted mozzarella cheese all baked inside crispy pizza dough bowls, perfect for a game day appetizer or a comforting meal.
Ingredients
Seasoned Chicken
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasonings
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Pizza Dough Bowls
- 16 oz. pizza dough (homemade or store-bought)
- 2 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 2 tablespoon chopped fresh basil
Alfredo Sauce
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- ½ teaspoon minced garlic
- 2 oz. cream cheese (softened)
- ½ cup milk
- ⅓ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Prep the Chicken: Mix garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Rub on chicken breasts. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Cook chicken 5-7 minutes per side until fully cooked. Remove, slice into bite-sized pieces.
- Prepare Pizza Dough Bowls: Preheat oven to 400°F. Roll out pizza dough and cut into rounds to fit muffin tin cups. Brush dough rounds with olive oil and sprinkle with Italian seasoning, kosher salt, and garlic powder. Press dough into muffin cups to form bowls.
- Bake Dough Bowls: Bake dough in preheated oven for 10-12 minutes until lightly golden and crisp.
- Make Alfredo Sauce: In a small saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and cook until fragrant. Whisk in cream cheese until smooth. Gradually add milk while whisking. Stir in Parmesan cheese, salt, and black pepper. Heat until sauce thickens slightly.
- Assemble Bowls: Spoon Alfredo sauce into each dough bowl. Top with sliced chicken pieces and shredded mozzarella cheese.
- Bake Pizza Bowls: Return bowls to oven and bake for an additional 8-10 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove pizza bowls from muffin tin and sprinkle with fresh chopped basil. Serve warm and enjoy the edible bowl experience.
Notes
- Use store-bought pizza dough for a time-saving option or homemade dough for fresher flavor.
- Feel free to swap chicken breasts for thigh meat for more juiciness.
- Add sautéed mushrooms or spinach in the Alfredo sauce for extra veggies.
- To make it spicier, add red pepper flakes to the Alfredo sauce.
- These bowls are perfect for game day and individual servings make for fun presentation.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 274 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 719 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0.05 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 21 g
- Cholesterol: 61 mg
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