I’ve tried almond flour crusts, cauliflower crusts, fathead dough… but this one is totally different. A chicken crust pizza made with canned chicken. It might sound unusual, but it’s quick, filling, and one of my favorite weeknight keto dinners.
In This Post
Why You’ll Love It
Ingredients & Substitutions
Here’s a closer look at the key ingredients that make this chicken crust pizza work, plus some easy swaps:
Chicken options – My go-to is canned chicken for speed. I use two 12.5 oz cans, drained and pressed dry with paper towels. This step is important — otherwise, the crust will be soggy. Shredded chicken also works: shred a rotisserie bird or cook chicken breasts ahead of time. Ground chicken is another option if you prefer a softer crust, but you’ll need to bake it a little longer (closer to 15–20 minutes).
Cheese – Parmesan gives the crust structure and a salty, nutty flavour. Freshly grated works best, but pre-grated parmesan is fine too. Mozzarella melts beautifully and adds that gooey pizza texture. I use a mix of both — parmesan in the crust, mozzarella on top.
Egg – One large egg binds the mixture together. An egg substitute can work in a pinch, but the crust will be more fragile.
Seasonings – Garlic powder and Italian seasoning make the crust taste more like pizza dough. You can also add paprika or red pepper flakes for a little kick.
Toppings – Keep it classic with low-sugar pizza sauce and mozzarella, or switch it up with Alfredo, BBQ, or buffalo sauce. My go-tos are bacon, spinach, mushrooms, and pepperoni. For extra flavour, sprinkle a little smoked cheddar on top before the second bake.
Finishing touch – Brushing the edges with melted butter and garlic powder at the end makes it irresistible. A silicone basting brush helps you coat it evenly without tearing the crust.
How to Make It
This recipe comes together in under 30 minutes. Here’s exactly how to do it:
Preheat & Prepare
Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper sheet or a silicone baking mat. For a crispier crust, place a pizza stone in the oven while it preheats.
Mix the Crust
In a mixing bowl, combine the drained canned chicken, parmesan, mozzarella, egg, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Stir until fully blended.
Shape & Par-Bake
Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking sheet. Press into a 9–10 inch round, about ¼ inch thick. You can place another piece of parchment on top and press with your hands or a rolling pin to flatten evenly.
Tip: The thinner you spread it, the crispier the crust will be.
Bake for 12–14 minutes, until the crust is golden and set. This step is called par-baking — it means baking the crust partway to firm it up before adding sauce and toppings. Doing this keeps the base sturdy and prevents it from turning soggy.
Add Sauce & Toppings
For an extra crispy crust, carefully flip the par-baked base over before topping. Then spread on pizza sauce (or Alfredo/BBQ), followed by mozzarella and your favourite toppings like bacon, spinach, mushrooms, or pepperoni.
Finish Baking
Return the pizza to the oven and bake for 7–10 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly. For extra browning, place under the broiler for 1–2 minutes.
Garlic Butter Glaze
In a small bowl, mix melted butter with garlic powder. Brush along the crust edges with a silicone basting brush for extra flavour.
Rest & Slice
Let the pizza rest for 3–5 minutes to firm up. Slice with a pizza cutter and serve hot.
Reheating & Storage
This chicken crust pizza works really well for meal prep:
Recipe Tips
- Drain chicken well – Whether you’re using canned or shredded, pressing it dry with paper towels prevents a soggy crust.
- Par-bake first – Don’t skip this step. It sets the crust so it holds toppings without falling apart.
- Flip for crispiness – For the crispiest base, carefully flip the par-baked crust before adding sauce and cheese.
- Use parchment – Shaping and transferring is much easier on parchment, and it keeps the crust from sticking.
Recipe Card
Easy Keto Chicken Crust Pizza
Description
Juicy chicken breast forms the base of this keto-friendly pizza crust, creating a delicious low-carb alternative to traditional dough. It’s baked until golden, then topped with homemade tomato sauce, mozzarella, parmesan, smoky bacon, and fresh basil. Finished with a drizzle of garlic butter for irresistible flavor, this chicken crust pizza is cheesy, satisfying, and perfect for weeknight dinners.
Ingredient List
For the Chicken Crust:
For the Toppings:
Instructions
How to Make Keto Chicken Crust Pizza
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Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper sheets or a silicone baking mat. For a crispier crust, place a pizza stone in the oven while it preheats.
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Drain the canned chicken thoroughly. Place on paper towels and press firmly to remove excess moisture.
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Mix the crust. In a mixing bowl, combine chicken, mozzarella, parmesan, egg, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Stir until fully blended.
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Shape the crust. Transfer mixture to the prepared baking sheet. Press into a 9–10 inch round, about 1/4 inch thick. You can place another piece of parchment on top and press with your hands or a rolling pin to flatten evenly.
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Bake the crust. Bake for 12–14 minutes, or until golden and set. If using a pizza stone, slide the parchment onto it for extra crispiness.
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Cool slightly. Remove crust from oven and let rest for 3–5 minutes to firm up.
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Add toppings. Spread pizza sauce or Alfredo sauce over the crust. Top with mozzarella, parmesan, and your favorite extras (bacon, spinach, red onion, or pepperoni).
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Finish baking. Return to oven for 7–10 minutes, until cheese is melted and bubbly. For extra browning, place under the broiler for 1–2 minutes.
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Garlic butter glaze. In a small bowl, mix melted butter with garlic powder. Brush glaze along the edges of the crust using a silicone basting brush.
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Slice & serve. Garnish with fresh basil, slice with a pizza cutter, and serve hot.
Nutrition Facts
Servings 4
Serving Size ~1 pizza round
- Amount Per Serving
- Calories 429kcal
- % Daily Value *
- Total Fat 22g34%
- Saturated Fat 11g56%
- Cholesterol 199mg67%
- Sodium 1220mg51%
- Total Carbohydrate 3g1%
- Dietary Fiber 0.2g1%
- Sugars 1.2g
- Protein 54.5g110%
- Net Carbs 2.8g
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
Note
Want to switch things up? Try these easy variations:
- Buffalo chicken pizza – Use buffalo sauce instead of marinara and top with mozzarella, blue cheese crumbles, and green onions.
- BBQ chicken pizza – Swap in sugar-free BBQ sauce, smoked cheddar, and bacon.
- White pizza – Skip the red sauce and use Alfredo, spinach, and mushrooms for a creamy twist.
