Caribbean Jerk Chicken Pizza

One of JJ's challenges to me last week was to create a new pizza. We have our old standbys that I make often (Hawaiian, Surpeme) but he said he wanted me to use my creativity and come up with something new. So I decided to make a jerk chicken pizza. I was at the grocery store and saw Kashi's Caribbean Pizza, and figured I could use some of their ideas on my pizza. So I didn't totally create this pizza on my own, but it was a new pizza to our home. JJ told me that he absolutely loved it, so I think I suceeded in my task. I think part of the reason is because he loves chicken on pizza, but I'm not a fan. I picked off the chicken and ate it seperately, then ate the pizza and loved it.

Caribbean Jerk Chicken Pizza

1 whole wheat pizza dough crust (recipe below)

8 oz. chicken breast, pounded thin

2 tbsp. Jerk spice rub (I use Penzeys)

1 6 oz. can Italian style tomato paste

1/4 cup guava juice

2 cups shredded part skim mozzarella

1 mango, finely diced

1/2 yellow bell pepper, finely diced

1/4 red onion, finely diced

1/2 plantain, sliced thin (about 1/8")

1 15 oz. can diced tomatoes with green chiles, drained well

Crushed red pepper flakes

2 tbsp. minced cilantro

Whole wheat pizza crust:

1 packet fast acting yeast

1 tbsp. honey

3/4 cup warm water

1 cup whole wheat pastry flour

1/2-3/4 cup unbleached all purpose flour

1 tsp. salt

1 tbsp. EVOO

Preheat oven to 425 degrees.

Heat a grill pan over medium heat.

In a standing mixer with the dough hook on, add water, honey and yeast, stir to combine, set aside for 10 minutes.

Liberally coat chicken with jerk seasoning, place on the grill and cook for 4-5 minutes per side, until just cooked through.

Add whole wheat flour, salt, EVOO and 1/2 cup AP flour to mixer. Turn on low and begin to mix. Add more AP flour as necessary if dough is too sticky. Knead for 5 minutes, set aside to proof.

In a small bowl, whisk together tomato paste and guava juice.

Slice and prepare all vegetables, slice cooked chicken.

After dough has doubled in size, roll out onto a pizza pan.

Spread tomato paste mixture over, top with cheese.

Arrange chicken slices, plantains, mango, red pepper, diced tomatoes and onion on top.

Place in the oven and bake for 20-24 minutes, until crisp and bubbly.

Top with crushed red pepper and cilantro, slice and serve.