**Wylie Dufresne’s Chicken Parmesan Pizza: A Time-Saving Take on a Classic Dish**
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Wylie Dufresne, a renowned chef and co-owner of Stretch Pizza in New York City, has shared a creative approach for those who wish to enjoy restaurant-quality pizza at home, all while cutting down on preparation time. His handy tip involves the use of store-bought chicken tenders, making a homemade pizza a feasible option for even the busiest of kitchen novices.
Dufresne emphasises the importance of enjoyment when crafting pizzas at home. “The key to making pizza is to have fun. Set up all your toppings in advance, and then simply bring it all together,” he advises. This straightforward philosophy makes the process less intimidating, encouraging aspiring pizza makers to dive right in.
His special Chicken Parmesan Pizza takes a playful spin on the traditional chicken Parmesan sandwich, incorporating breaded and fried chicken, rich red sauce, and gooey mozzarella cheese. Instead of spending countless hours preparing all the components—such as breading and frying chicken, making dough from scratch, or simmering a tomato sauce for ages—Dufresne’s recipe streamlines the process, allowing for a delicious result in a fraction of the time.
For those eager to try their hand at this dish, here’s a simple recipe that yields mouth-watering results. To make Dufresne’s Chicken Parmesan Pizza, start with the following ingredients:
– 1 lb. fresh pizza dough, divided into two balls
– ¼ cup all-purpose flour
– 1½ tablespoons semolina flour (optional)
– 12 oz. low-moisture mozzarella cheese, shredded
– 1 cup marinara sauce, divided
– ¾ lb. fried chicken tenders, cut into ½-inch pieces
– Hot sauce, to taste
– 2 oz. grated Parmesan cheese
– Fresh basil leaves and olive oil, for serving
Preparation begins by preheating the oven to its highest setting (either 500º or 550º), placing a baking stone or steel in the centre. It is recommended to allow at least an hour and a half for the stone to heat thoroughly. Meanwhile, leave the pizza dough to come to room temperature.
Next, whisk together the all-purpose and semolina flours to create a dusting mixture. Lightly sprinkle this on a pizza peel and toss each dough ball in the mixture to ensure an even coat. Then, stretch one of the dough balls into a 10- to 12-inch round shape with a slightly raised edge.
Once shaped, transfer the dough to the pizza peel, ensuring it doesn’t stick by giving it a gentle shake. Top the base by sprinkling one cup of the shredded mozzarella over the dough, taking care to avoid the raised edges. Follow this with a drizzle of half a cup of marinara sauce, then arrange half of the fried chicken tenders on top. Add another half cup of mozzarella, and finish the pizza off with hot sauce to taste and a sprinkle of around ¼ cup of grated Parmesan.
With everything assembled, slide the pizza onto the preheated baking stone and let it bake for about four minutes. After that time, carefully rotate the pizza from front to back using the peel, continuing to bake until the edges are golden brown and the base is crisp, which should take an additional two to four minutes.
Once done, allow the pizza to cool slightly on a wire rack before transferring it to a cutting board. You can add some torn basil leaves and a drizzle of olive oil for a fresh finish. Repeat the process using the remaining dough and toppings to create more delicious pizzas.
This recipe serves four and takes approximately 55 minutes of active time, with a total duration of around two hours and ten minutes, including preheating the oven and cooling.
Dufresne’s Chicken Parmesan Pizza not only demonstrates how to simplify cooking at home but also highlights the joy of experimentation in the kitchen. With this recipe, even those with little culinary experience can create an impressive dish that brings the flavours of a classic restaurant pizza right into their own homes.