If you’re looking for the ultimate fusion comfort food, Butter Chicken Pizza is about to become your new obsession. This mashup marries the creamy richness of classic butter chicken with the irresistible chew and char of freshly baked pizza—a total game changer for homemade pizza night!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Next-Level Fusion: Butter Chicken Pizza harmoniously blends the aromatic spices of Indian cuisine with the beloved comfort of cheesy, golden pizza.
Creamy, Robust Sauce: The homemade butter chicken sauce is velvety, vibrant, and packed with deep flavor—real restaurant quality, made fresh at home.
Crowd-Pleasing & Customizable: This recipe is guaranteed to impress at gatherings, and you can play with toppings or heat level to make it your own.
Ideal for Make-Ahead: Both the sauce and chicken tikka can be prepped in advance, making weeknight Butter Chicken Pizza totally doable!

Butter Chicken Pizza Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

Butter Chicken Pizza comes together with a handful of bold, thoughtfully chosen ingredients that are the secret to its vibrant flavor and creamy-crisp texture. Each element adds a unique layer—don’t skip or substitute lightly if you want that authentic taste!

28 oz can of tomatoes: Choose a good brand with just tomatoes and salt—no basil or herbs. This forms the base of your luscious sauce.
Green chilies (jwala or jalapeño): They add gentle heat and brightness; jalapeños are a great stand-in if you don’t have Indian green chilies.
Garlic ginger paste: A quintessential Indian flavor booster. Buy it fresh or blitz your own for extra punch.
Kashmiri chili powder: This mild, vibrant-red chili powder brings gorgeous color and subtle warmth—find it at an Indian grocer.
Kasoori methi (dried fenugreek leaves): Just a pinch adds amazing depth and that signature butter chicken aroma.
Tandoori masala: A mix of warming spices that gives your chicken tikka its unmistakable flavor.
Kosher salt: For seasoning throughout—if using table salt, scale it down slightly.
Neutral oil: Vegetable or canola oil is best for blooming the spices and getting a silky texture in your sauce and marinade.
Chicken thighs: Boneless, skinless thighs stay juicy during roasting and make the best chicken tikka.
Naga pickle (optional): For those who crave serious heat and complexity—just a dab in the marinade.
Pizza dough (for two pizzas): Homemade or store-bought—use your favorite, and if you have a pizza oven, even better!
Fior di latte (fresh mozzarella): Torn into rustic pieces for milky, melty pools of cheese on your pizza.
Thinly sliced red onion & green chilies: Scatter these over the top for crunch, color, and a little spark.
Finely chopped cilantro: For a fresh, herbal finish just before serving.

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

The beauty of Butter Chicken Pizza is how flexible it is! You can personalize this pizza to suit your spice preference, dietary needs, or whatever ingredients you have handy in the fridge or pantry.

Paneer Butter Pizza: Swap the chicken tikka for cubes of pan-seared paneer for a fabulous vegetarian version that’s just as rich and hearty.
Gluten-Free: Use your favorite gluten-free pizza crust or naan for a wheat-free twist.
Spicy Butter Chicken Pizza: Add a bit more naga pickle or extra fresh chilies to bring the heat front and center.
Lighter Cheese: Try buffalo mozzarella or even a sharp cheddar-mozzarella combo for a fun, tangy departure.

How to Make Butter Chicken Pizza

Step 1: Make the Butter Chicken Sauce

Start by crushing your canned tomatoes by hand (removing the stems as you go) or run them through a food mill if you own one. Heat a generous amount of oil in your pan, then sizzle the garlic ginger paste until it stops sputtering. Lower the heat and add kashmiri chili powder, kasoori methi, tandoori masala, and salt—blooming the spices in oil lets their flavors blossom. Stir in your tomatoes and green chilies, simmer gently for 30 minutes, then let cool and puree until silky smooth.

Step 2: Marinate and Cook the Chicken Tikka

For quick chicken tikka, whisk together tandoori masala, garlic ginger paste, kasoori methi, oil, and salt (go easy if your masala already has salt). Add chicken thighs and coat thoroughly in the marinade—tongs are your friend here! Marinate for at least an hour if you can, but don’t stress if you’re short on time. Roast or grill at 400°F until the chicken reaches 165°F inside; let cool slightly, then slice or chop into bite-sized pieces.

Step 3: Assemble the Butter Chicken Pizza

Shape your pizza dough with your hands—skip the rolling pin for a fluffy, airy crust and keep the outer edge nice and prominent. Spoon a generous layer of butter chicken sauce onto the center and spread it evenly, followed by plenty of juicy chicken tikka, torn mozzarella, and a scattering of red onions and green chilies. Each topping adds its own craveable bite and color pop.

Step 4: Bake and Finish

Cook your pizzas as you normally do—extra-hot pizza oven, backyard grill, or oven at its highest setting. Watch for the cheese to bubble and the crust to turn golden and blistered, then pull from the oven. For a cheffy touch, drizzle with a bit more butter chicken sauce and shower with fresh cilantro before slicing and serving with a big smile.

Pro Tips for Making Butter Chicken Pizza

Dough Mastery: Always stretch your dough by hand and leave a puffy border—the classic pizzeria approach gives Butter Chicken Pizza a gorgeously airy, chewy crust.
Sauce Consistency: After pureeing, simmer your butter chicken sauce a little more if it seems thin—thicker sauce clings beautifully to the crust.
Layer Wisely: Scatter cheese after the chicken tikka so it bubbles around, not over, the meat—this creates gooey pockets and avoids soggy bottoms.
High Heat Magic: The hotter your oven (or pizza stone) the better—aim for at least 500°F in a home oven for the best char and oven-spring.

How to Serve Butter Chicken Pizza

Garnishes

I love finishing my Butter Chicken Pizza with a shower of finely chopped cilantro right after it comes out of the oven—it cuts through the creamy richness and adds a fresh, green sparkle. A drizzle of extra butter chicken sauce (or even a squirt of plain yogurt for contrast) makes every slice pop both visually and flavor-wise.

Side Dishes

Keep your sides simple and fresh to balance out the richness of the pizza! A crisp cucumber and red onion salad, spiced potato wedges, or even a classic tangy coleslaw all make fantastic partners for Butter Chicken Pizza. If you’re a fan of a cooling element, a little raita on the side is heaven.

Creative Ways to Present

For a fun twist, slice your Butter Chicken Pizza into small wedges and serve them as appetizers at your next dinner party—splashy, unexpected, and totally delicious. Or, if you’re hosting a pizza night, set out a “build-your-own” Butter Chicken Pizza bar with bowls of toppings, sauces, and fresh herbs for guests to make their masterpieces!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover Butter Chicken Pizza keeps surprisingly well! Cool any slices completely, then tuck them into an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days. Stack slices with a little parchment in between to keep toppings neat and crusts from sticking together.

Freezing

If you want to save some for later, freeze individual slices on a baking sheet, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag once solid. The sauce and chicken tikka also freeze beautifully on their own—just defrost and build your pizza whenever the craving strikes.

Reheating

For that just-baked taste, reheat Butter Chicken Pizza in a 375°F oven straight from the fridge (or thawed from the freezer) until hot and crispy—about 8-10 minutes. A quick pan-sear in a skillet over medium heat also revives the crust and keeps it crunchy!

FAQs

Can I use store-bought naan as the base for Butter Chicken Pizza?

Absolutely! Naan makes a fantastic quick base for Butter Chicken Pizza. Just top with sauce, chicken tikka, and cheese, then bake until bubbly and golden—perfect for a speedy weeknight version.
What if I can’t find kasoori methi or kashmiri chili powder?

For kasoori methi, you can skip it or try a small pinch of celery leaves for some herbal notes. If you can’t find kashmiri chili powder, use a blend of 1/2 teaspoon cayenne plus 2 1/2 teaspoons paprika to mimic the heat and color.
Is Butter Chicken Pizza very spicy?

The spice level depends on your choice of chilies and tandoori masala. The recipe as written has a gentle warmth, but you can dial up or down the heat with more or less chili, or by omitting naga pickle if you want it milder.
Can I prepare Butter Chicken Pizza sauce and toppings ahead of time?

Yes! The butter chicken sauce and chicken tikka both hold well in the fridge for up to 3 days or can be frozen for longer storage—assembly is a breeze when your components are ready.

Final Thoughts

There’s something undeniably special about sharing a warm, bubbling Butter Chicken Pizza straight from the oven—it’s cozy, bold, and always a hit. I hope you give this recipe a try and make it your own; it’s one of those dishes that sparks smiles and lingers in memory. Go ahead—your next pizza night deserves a little adventure!