Chicken Pizza

This is one of those recipes that when I see similar ones posted/printed elsewhere I admittedly think, "now that's not really a recipe." You know, the ones that are for things like a grilled cheese sandwich (2 slices of bread, cheese, got it). Or like the one in my one of mother-in-law's cookbooks that's for "busy day salad" and whose instructions are literally "put pre-washed bag of salad greens into a bowl and mix with bottle of store-bought dressing." Seriously?! That one always gets a laugh out of us.

But seriously, I'm including this one more for the sentimental value that anything. I first made this in college, and it definitely is a recipe with training wheels, it's great for the starter cook or the busy, single college girl wanting to cook for her friends. I hosted my friends often with this one, and my favorite memory is when I made it for 16 of my sorority sisters for before our "pink party" (which sounds so sorority, doesn't it?...). The point is, even beginners can pull of cheap and easy entertaining on a tight budget in an ill-equipped kitchen.

Ingredients
1 package refrigerated pizza dough
1 lb. boneless, skinless chicken (approximately 3-4 breasts), cut into bite-size pieces or strips
3 roma or plum tomatoes, sliced thin
1 packet pesto sauce, prepared (or approximately 1 cup pesto sauce)
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1 tbsp. olive oil
Blackening or Cajun seasoning, to taste
Salt and pepper to taste

Pre-cook pizza dough according to instructions, if needed. Heat oil over medium heat in saute pan. Season chicken with blackening or Cajun seasoning, salt and pepper to taste. Add to pan and saute until cooked thoroughly. (Alternately, you can bake them in the oven at 450 for about 20-25 minutes, or until cooked thoroughly). Remove and let cool, then slice into thin strips.

Once dough is pre-cooked and has been removed from oven, spread pesto sauce evenly on top. Add cooked chicken, then sliced tomatoes. Top with mozzarella cheese. Return pizza to oven and continue cooking to dough instructions, or until cheese is melted and begins to brown.

Let stand a few minutes then slice and serve.