Chicken Pesto Pizza Rollups
If you’re looking for a fun twist on pizza night, then roll up a batch of these Chicken Pesto Pizza Rollups. They’re packed with flavor, and they’re sure to be a crowd favorite!
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When you think one-pot meals, what comes to mind? I’d venture to guess soups and stews are on that list. And perhaps some pasta bakes. And many slow cooker recipes are one-pot meals. But I’m adding a new one to the list – these Chicken Pesto Pizza Rollups. Yup, they’re a one-pot meal!
I’ve talked many times before about the versatility of a good cast iron skillet, and this recipe is just another example. I used a medium (8″ or 9″) cast iron skillet to cook the chicken and onions for this recipe. Then I turned around and used that same cast iron skillet to bake these pizza rollups. (And I didn’t even wash the skillet in-between!)
Chicken Pesto Pizza Rollups
Pizza rollups have been a popular recipe in our house ever since we made these Pepperoni Pizza Rolls, aka Chrusties. Those rolls are dipped in ranch dressing, and they’re fantastic! I know ranch dressing isn’t the most common of partners for pepperoni pizza…but trust me. Leftovers won’t be a problem. And leftovers won’t be a problem with these Chicken Pesto Pizza Rollups either!
For this version of pizza rollups, I went with pesto and chicken. I also used shredded Cabot Monterey Jack cheese for a fun twist. The pizza sauce still worked it’s way into the recipe…in the form of a dip. (Although I would argue that ranch dressing would be a good choice here, too. After all, you can dip pretty much anything in ranch dressing, right?)
These pizza rollups are actually a pretty simple recipe. While the chicken and onions are cooking on the stovetop, I rolled out the pizza dough and prepped it with cheese, pesto and roasted red peppers. From there, the onions and cooked chicken get added and the entire thing gets rolled up into a log. Slice it up, put the slices back in the skillet and send the whole thing off to the oven to bake. Done and done!
These pizza rollups would be an excellent choice for watching sports with friends or just a movie night with the family. (Of course, use caution when serving these pizza rollups as that cast iron skillet will be super hot.)
If you’re looking for a fun twist on pizza night, then roll up a batch of these Chicken Pesto Pizza Rollups! They’re packed with flavor, and they’re sure to be a crowd favorite. Cheers!
Did you make a batch of these Chicken Pesto Pizza Rollups? Leave a comment, or snap a photo and tag me on Instagram (@Spicedblog) – I’d love to see your version! (Did you go with pizza sauce or ranch dressing?)
Chicken Pesto Pizza Rollups
Ingredients
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp pepper
- ¼ tsp garlic powder
- ¼ tsp onion powder
- 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1 medium yellow onion sliced
- 16 oz. pizza dough homemade or store-bought
- ½ cup prepared pesto homemade or store-bought
- ¼ cup chopped roasted red peppers
- 2 cups shredded Cabot Monterey Jack cheese
- pizza sauce for dipping
- fresh basil for garnishing
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F.
- Using an 8” or 9” cast iron skillet, add olive oil and place over medium heat.
- Using a small bowl, combine the salt, pepper, garlic powder and onion powder. Sprinkle this mixture evenly on both sides of the chicken breasts.
- Once skillet is hot, add the chicken and onions; cook the chicken for 5-8 minutes per side, or until fully cooked. Transfer chicken and onions to a cutting board and let rest for 5 minutes.
- Working on a lightly-floured surface, roll pizza dough into a 12”x16” rectangle. Brush pesto evenly on top of dough.
- Chop the cooked chicken and onions and sprinkle evenly on top of the pesto. Sprinkle roasted red peppers and shredded cheese on top of the chicken.
- Starting with a long side, roll dough up tightly and pinch seams to seal. Using a sharp knife (a serrated knife works great here!), slice dough into 10-12 equal pieces.
- Place a small oven-safe crock upside down in the center of the cast iron skillet. Place pizza rolls on their sides around the crock.
- Bake for 25-28 minutes, or until dough is golden brown.
- Using an oven mitt, invert the crock and fill it with pizza sauce.
- Before serving, garnish top of pizza rolls with fresh basil.
Looking for more fun pizza recipes? Check out these other favorites, too:
Cant wait to make this soon can i use mushrooms and vegan cheese i never had chicken pesto pizza rollups before i love pesto and pizza sooooooooo much perfect for my after office meals love your recipes as always brightens up my day everyday after work
I’ve never had pesto + mushrooms before, but I say it’s worth a shot, Ramya! The flavors do sound like a tasty combination…and everything is better in pizza form! 🙂
Talk about some flavor!!! What a delicious combination, and there definitely wouldn’t be any leftovers in my house. I really like how this is cooked right in the cast iron skillet.
I’m all about cast iron, Kathy! I love the extra flavor that comes with cast iron cooking – it’s like winter’s answer to the summer grill! 🙂 And these pizza rollups? We didn’t have a leftover issue either! Haha.
I love those recipes where you don’t need to wash the skillet in-between (Because I usually end up with lots of dirty dishes after cooking anyway, so even one skillet less helps) LOL.
These pizza rollups look ridiculously hearty and comforting. I know it’s March, and we should be having more salads and other light dishes now, but I won’t be able to refuse this any time of the year!
I hear ya, Ben – I feel like half of my day is typically spent at the sink doing dishes. So if I can double up on pans? Done! Plus, the extra flavor that is left in the cast iron skillet after cooking the chicken really “soaks” into the pizza dough if that makes sense. So good!
Yum. What a fantastic idea! I like that you chose pizza dough. Great filling.
Thanks so much, Mimi! I really love chicken + pesto, and we make a pasta version that is a household favorite. Almost everything is better in pizza form, so it was fun to play around with those flavors in this format. Thanks so much!!
Love your definition of one-pot meal…. this is something that my kids would love to make and eat! Yum, will have to give this one a try soon!
Haha – I agree that this is a different kind of one pot meal…but there’s still only one pot (err…skillet) to clean! 🙂
I can certainly see why the rollups would be a popular treat in your house, they sound terrific!
Thanks so much, Karen! These pizza rollups were quite tasty – and the chicken + pesto was a fun way to mix things up a bit. 🙂
i love the look of this david. chicken and pesto and pizza? Yes righto. i’ll be there soon … tee hee – well if i could stand a 24 hour flight over wearing a mask all the way …
Oh my gosh, wearing a mask for 24 hours!? No, thanks! We’ve flown a couple times, and the 6-7 total hours is enough to make my ears hurt for days. (The little straps seem so small…until you have to wear them all day long!) I think it’ll be a lot easier to just make this at home instead. Haha! Thanks, Sherry!