My nearby natural foods supermarket stocks bags of stir-fry vegetables that include baby corn, mushrooms, bamboo shoots, and green soybeans called edamame (eh-dah-ma-meh). The mixture is delicious cooked with shrimp and your favorite bottled stir-fry sauce. If you don’t know which sauce to choose, select one that includes soy sauce and honey, for a sweet and smoky taste.
Frozen mixed vegetables and chicken are as close as you’ll get to almost instant “crustless” chicken potpie. If you’re feeding a family or last-minute company, double the recipe.
If you have leftover turkey from a holiday feast, blend it into this savory turkey and gravy brunch entree. Otherwise, pick up 2 packages (6 ounces each) of cooked, diced oven-roasted chicken breast and substitute for the turkey.
My teenage daughter wants to live on ramen noodles, so I have to find ways to make the dish more healthful and filling. Using the seasoning packet from only one package of ramen noodles and the water for one package of noodles, I can create a luscious stewlike dish instead of ramen noodle soup.
Heat the oil over high heat in a large wok or Dutch oven.
Add the snow peas and stir-fry for 1 minute.
Add the pork strips and stir-fry for 1 minute.
Add the ramen noodles.
Add the seasoning packet from one of the two noodle packages.
Add the hot water.
Cook the noodles over medium heat for 2 to 5 minutes or until the noodles are tender and the liquid is mostly absorbed.
Notes & Wine Advice
Vary It!
Use 2 packages (6-ounces each) of cooked, diced oven-roasted chicken breast and 2 packages ramen chicken noodles. For a shrimp stir-fry, substitute 1 package (12-ounces) cooked salad shrimp and shrimp-flavor noodles.
1carton or tub20 ounces taco sauce with seasoned ground beef, fully cooked
1package9 ounces frozen corn
1can14 1/2 ounces diced tomatoes with chiles, undrained
1can15 1/2 ounces red kidney beans, undrained
2tablespoonsminced cilantro
2tablespoonsminced scallions
Instructions
Place the sauce and seasoned ground beef, corn, tomatoes, and beans in a large pan.
Cook over medium heat 5 minutes, stirring occasionally or until the mixture is hot.
Sprinkle in the cilantro and scallions and simmer 1 minute.
Vary It!
Pass a bowl of grated taco cheese and let everyone help themselves to a cheese topping.
Notes & Wine Advice
Speed It Up!
For a healthy vegetarian alternative, cut out the taco sauce with seasoned ground beef. Add a second can of red kidney beans and a can of stewed zucchini in tomato sauce. Trim the cooking time by a minute or two. Season with a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes.
The pork strips and teriyaki rice mix are so well seasoned that you don’t have to add any condiments to get the sweet-smoky flavor of a Chinese teriyaki dinner. And don’t worry about thawing the pork in advance; you can skip that step.
12ounceshalf a 24-ounce bag frozen, cooked teriyaki-seasoned pork strips
1packageabout 5 ounces teriyaki rice
Instructions
Heat the oil over high heat in a large wok or sauté pan.
Add the bell pepper, onion, and pork strips and stir-fry 5 minutes or until the vegetables are limp.
Add the rice mix and the amount of water that the package recommends.
Bring the liquid to a boil.
Reduce the heat to low, cover the pan, and simmer 5 minutes.
Stir the rice and set aside 1 or 2 minutes for the mixture to thicken.
Vary It!
Substitute 2 packages (6 ounces each) of cooked, diced oven-roasted chicken breast for the pork.
Add a dash of bottled teriyaki sauce to the dish along with the chicken.
Notes & Wine Advice
Speed It Up!
Skip the fresh vegetables. Combine the pork strips, rice, and water and bring to a boil. Cook as the recipe directs. When the rice is tender, stir in 2 tablespoons minced scallions and 2 tablespoons minced cilantro. If desired, stir in a tablespoon of stir-fry sauce.
This barbecued chicken pizza is the perfect solution when you want something fast, filling, and seriously satisfying. Instead of settling for a basic frozen pizza, this recipe transforms it into a hearty, flavor-packed meal with minimal effort. The smoky barbecue sauce combined with tender shredded chicken creates a rich, savory base that instantly upgrades the crust into something restaurant-worthy. Add juicy tomato slices and a generous layer of melted cheese, and you’ve got a pizza that feels indulgent but still incredibly easy to make at home.
What makes this barbecued chicken pizza especially appealing is its balance between convenience and flavor. You’re starting with a ready-made base, but finishing with fresh ingredients that bring texture and depth. It’s ideal for busy weeknights, casual dinners, or even a laid-back weekend meal when you don’t feel like ordering takeout. Pair it with a crisp green salad and you’ve got a complete dinner that satisfies without the fuss.
If you enjoy creative pizza variations, you might also like this BBQ Chicken Flatbread, which offers a similar smoky flavor in a lighter format. And for safe food handling and preparation tips, always refer to guidelines from the FDA to ensure your meals are both delicious and safe.
Why Barbecued Chicken Pizza Works So Well
The magic of barbecued chicken pizza lies in its contrast of flavors and textures. The slightly sweet and tangy barbecue sauce complements the savory chicken perfectly, while the melted cheese adds richness and a satisfying bite. The thin crust keeps everything light enough so the toppings remain the star of the show.
Another advantage of this recipe is its flexibility. You can easily adapt it based on what you have at home. Swap chicken for pulled pork for a deeper, smokier flavor, or experiment with different cheeses like cheddar or mozzarella blends. The tomatoes add freshness, but you could also include red onions or peppers for extra crunch and color.
Because the base is pre-made, this recipe dramatically reduces prep time without sacrificing taste. It’s a practical option for families, quick dinners, or anyone looking to build a reliable recipe rotation. Once you try it, this upgraded pizza might just replace your standard freezer option entirely.
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Barbecued Chicken Pizza
A quick and hearty pizza topped with barbecue chicken, fresh tomatoes, and melted cheese.
Spread the barbecue sauce with shredded chicken evenly over the pizza.
Arrange the tomato slices on top of the chicken.
Sprinkle the shredded cheese evenly over the pizza.
Bake for 15 minutes or until the cheese is melted and lightly browned.
Remove from the oven and let stand for 1 minute.
Slice into wedges and serve.
Notes & Wine Advice
Notes
This recipe is highly adaptable depending on your preferences. You can substitute the shredded chicken with pulled pork for a richer flavor or use a blend of cheeses such as cheddar and mozzarella for extra depth. For added texture, consider topping with thinly sliced red onion or fresh cilantro after baking.
Wine Advice
A slightly fruity red wine like Zinfandel pairs beautifully with the smoky barbecue flavors and melted cheese. If you prefer white wine, a chilled Chardonnay works well to balance the richness and cleanse the palate between bites.
Winter is when you crave foods that not only cook fast but also thaw you right through to your toes. This rich, one-pan dinner does both marvelously well.
Look for precooked bacon strips in the deli meat case of your supermarket. Choose plain bacon for this recipe. (Maple-flavored bacon is too sweet.) Serve this risotto with a salad of bagged exotic greens and the vinaigrette dressing
Place the bacon strips in a hot skillet and heat 1 minute to crisp.
Remove from skillet, cut into 1-inch squares, and set aside.
Prepare the risotto according to package directions, adding the peas with the risotto seasonings.
Cook the risotto as the package directs, stirring occasionally.
When the rice is tender, stir in the bacon and cilantro.
Notes & Wine Advice
Vary It!
Sprinkle 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese into the dish along with the bacon and cilantro. Also, replace the bacon with a cup of leftover cooked, diced chicken breast meat or a 6-ounce package of cooked, diced chicken breast if you prefer. A cup of cooked, diced chicken breast meat is the equivalent of 1 small, raw chicken breast half.
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The technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network.
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