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    Home » Recipes » High Protein Recipes

    Published: Jan 10, 2023 · Modified: Apr 29, 2026 by Jennifer Banz· 61 Comments

    Easy Chicken Crust Pizza (High Protein, Low Carb Dinner)

    Servings: 3
    |
    Cals: 297
    |
    Fat: 19
    |
    Carbs: 1
    |
    Fiber: 0
    |
    Protein: 31
    |
    Time: 35 minutes mins
    Jump to Recipe Pin for Later

    Chicken crust pizza is one of the easiest ways to make a high-protein, low carb pizza that actually fills you up. The crust is made with just ground chicken, cheese, and seasoning, then baked until golden and sturdy enough for your favorite toppings.

    sliced chicken pizza crust on a tray

    Why You’ll Love This Chicken Crust Pizza

    Jennifer standing in her kitchen

    This chicken crust pizza is one of the easiest ways to get a high-protein dinner that actually feels satisfying. The crust is made with just a few simple ingredients, but it bakes up sturdy enough to hold all your favorite toppings without falling apart.

    I like this recipe because it keeps things simple and easy to repeat. You’re not dealing with complicated doughs or hard-to-find ingredients, and it comes together quickly on a sheet pan. It’s the kind of meal you can make on a busy night when you want something good but don’t want to overthink it.

    It’s also really flexible. You can keep it classic with sauce and cheese, or add toppings like pepperoni, sausage, or veggies depending on what you have on hand. Once you make it once, it’s easy to repeat without needing to look at the recipe again.

    • Made with just a few simple ingredients
    • High protein and naturally low carb
    • No dough, no kneading, no waiting
    • Bakes on a sheet pan for easy cleanup
    • Easy to customize with your favorite toppings

    Ingredients for the Chicken Crust

    This crust is really simple and only uses a few ingredients, but they work together to give you something sturdy enough to hold toppings and still feel like pizza.

    • Ground chicken – I use regular ground chicken here, not extra lean. A little fat helps keep the crust from drying out and makes it more flavorful.
    • Shredded mozzarella cheese – This is what helps bind everything together and gives the crust that slightly chewy, pizza-like texture.
    • Italian seasoning – Adds flavor without needing a bunch of extra ingredients. You can swap for whatever you like, but this keeps it easy.
    • Kosher salt – Just enough to bring everything together and enhance the flavor. If your toppings are salty (like pepperoni), you can go a little lighter here.

    For the toppings

    This is where you can make it your own. I usually keep it simple, but use whatever you like on pizza.

    • Pizza sauce
    • Shredded cheese
    • Pepperoni, sausage, or cooked veggies

    How to make chicken crust pizza

    mixing chicken and cheese in a bowl

    Mix everything together

    spreading ground chicken on a baking sheet to make pizza

    Press into a thin crust

    finished chicken crust pizza

    Bake until golden

    chicken pizza with mozzarella and Basil

    Add toppings, bake again, slice and serve.

    Step 1 – Preheat your oven to 400F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat.

    In a large bowl, mix together the ground chicken, mozzarella, Italian seasoning, and salt until well combined.

    Step 2 – Transfer the mixture to your prepared pan and press it into a thin, even circle or rectangle, about ¼ inch thick. The thinner you spread it, the crispier the crust will be.

    Step 3 – Bake for 20 minutes, until the crust is set and lightly golden.

    Remove from the oven, add your toppings, then return to the oven and bake for another 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

    Tips from Jennifer's kitchen

    This recipe is simple, but a few small things make a big difference in how the crust turns out.

    • Spread the crust thin
      The thinner you press the chicken mixture, the crispier the edges will get. If it’s too thick, it can stay soft in the center.
    • Don’t skip the first bake
      Baking the crust before adding toppings is what makes it hold together like a real pizza. If you try to top it too soon, it will be too soft.
    • Use regular ground chicken
      Extra lean chicken can turn out dry. A little fat helps the crust stay juicy and gives it better flavor.
    • Let it rest before slicing
      Once it comes out of the oven, give it a few minutes to sit. This helps it firm up and makes it easier to cut clean slices.
    • Blot excess moisture if needed
      The crust will release some liquid as it bakes. If you want a firmer crust, you can gently blot it with paper towels before adding toppings.
    • Broil at the end for more browning
      If you like that bubbly, slightly browned cheese on top, pop it under the broiler for a minute or two at the end.

    How I make this a meal

    When I make this chicken crust pizza, I don’t overcomplicate it. I treat it like a regular pizza night, just with a little more protein.

    Most of the time, I’ll have a couple slices with something simple on the side. If I want something fresh, I’ll throw together a quick salad or use a bagged one to keep it easy. If I’m really hungry, I’ll just eat more slices and call it a meal.

    If I’m in more of a meal prep mode, I’ll rotate this with things like my crustless pizza or pizza bowls so I’m not getting bored but still keeping things simple. And when I want a more traditional pizza feel, I’ll make my fathead dough pizza instead.

    For something a little lighter, my zucchini boats are another option I’ll mix in during the week.

    If I’m focusing on getting more protein in, I’ll round out my day with meals like my protein pancakes, egg bakes, or simple chicken dinners so I don’t have to think about it.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Can I use ground turkey instead?

    Yes, you can swap in ground turkey, but it will be a little leaner. If you go that route, just keep an eye on it so it doesn’t dry out.

    How thin should I spread the crust?

    About ¼ inch thick is ideal. Thinner will give you crispier edges, while thicker will be softer and more like a flatbread.

    How do I keep the crust from getting soggy?

    Make sure you bake the crust before adding toppings. If there’s excess moisture, you can blot it with paper towels before adding sauce and cheese.

    Can I make this ahead of time?

    Yes. You can bake the crust ahead, then add toppings and reheat when you’re ready to eat. It’s also good leftover for a quick lunch.

    How do I store leftovers?

    Store slices in an airtight container in the fridge for a few days. Reheat in the oven or air fryer to help the crust crisp back up.

    Can I freeze chicken crust pizza?

    Yes, you can freeze the baked crust or fully assembled pizza. Let it cool completely, then wrap tightly and freeze. Reheat in the oven until hot and crispy.

    Chicken crust pizza cut on a cookie sheet

    Easy Chicken Crust Pizza (High Protein, Low Carb Dinner)

    Author: Jennifer Banz
    4.9 from 33 votes
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    Prep 5 minutes mins
    Cook 30 minutes mins
    Total 35 minutes mins
    This chicken crust pizza is an easy, high protein dinner made with simple ingredients. The crust bakes up sturdy enough for your favorite toppings and is perfect when you want pizza that actually fills you up.
    Servings 3
    Course dinner, lunch
    Cuisine American, Italian

    Ingredients

    • 1 Pound Ground Chicken
    • ½ Cup Shredded Mozzarella Cheese
    • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
    • ¼ teaspoon Kosher salt
    • Your favorite pizza toppings

    Method

    1. Pre-heat the oven to 400F (200C). Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. You can also use a pizza pan.
    2. Add the ground chicken, cheese, italian seasoning and salt to a bowl.  Mix thoroughly with your hands.  
    3. Dump the mixture on the prepared pan and spread into a pizza shape about ¼ inch thick. Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes. If any liquid bakes out of the crust, you can carefully absorb it with paper towels.
    4. Remove from the oven and add your favorite pizza toppings.  I added pizza sauce and more cheese.  Bake for an additional 10 minutes.
    5. Remove from the oven and cool slightly.  Slice and serve.

    Notes

    • Use ground chicken that isn’t extra lean (around 90–93%) so the crust doesn’t dry out. If your chicken is very lean, you can add a little extra cheese to help keep the crust from drying out.
    • Spread the mixture thin for the best texture. Thicker crusts will be softer in the center.
    • The crust will release some liquid as it bakes. You can blot it before adding toppings if you want it firmer.
    • Let the pizza rest for a few minutes before slicing so it holds together better.
    • This recipe makes about 1 pizza, which I usually cut into 3 servings.
    Nutrition is for the crust only. Toppings will change the final calories and protein depending on what you use.
     

    Nutrition

    Calories297Carbohydrates1gProtein31gFat19gFiber0g

    Did you make this recipe?

    Leave a comment or rating below!

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      Recipe Reviews




    1. Gigi says

      January 11, 2026 at 4:46 pm

      5 stars
      This is now on our weekly keto dinner rotation. Delicious and so easy!! Win!!!

      Reply
    2. Jennifer says

      December 11, 2025 at 6:44 pm

      5 stars
      I was looking for a new chicken crust recipe because my daughter decided to use all of our parm earlier in the day, that I needed formy dinner tonight! And here it is! Turned out better than my original recipe I had! Thank you Jennifer!! Merry Christmas, Jennifer in snowy SD

      Reply
    3. Linda says

      September 18, 2025 at 8:31 am

      5 stars
      I made this and topped it with peppers, mushrooms and onions. The ground chicken crust release a lot of water. After I changed the parchment paper and put the crust back in the oven, it was fine. Definitely worth a try if looking for less carbs and more protein. Thanks for sharing.

      Reply
    4. Sarah Schear says

      July 10, 2025 at 4:52 pm

      5 stars
      My favorite way to make pizza now! I swap the mozzarella in the crust for grated Parmesan then use mozzarella for the topping.

      Reply
    5. michele haber says

      April 06, 2025 at 6:42 pm

      5 stars
      Excellent , used ground turkey had it defrosted already . Added some garlic powder to mixture . Drained and air fryer it 8 minutes longer before adding toppings. Shredded some jarlsberg cheese , mozzarella, Parmesan on top . Cut up some grape tomatoes too. Then additional pizza spice . Tastes just as good as our local restaurant
      Makes!!!

      Reply
    6. Susan says

      February 02, 2025 at 8:23 am

      5 stars
      I never post comments but this recipe was so good. After the initial baking I put the chicken crust on a wire pizza tray with a solid tray underneath. This got rid of any of the juices. My husband and I really enjoyed it with a side salad. We are trying to stay away from gluten. This gave me back pizza night.

      Reply
    7. Lauren Hinsman says

      December 29, 2024 at 11:41 am

      5 stars
      We have made this recipe several times lately! It makes great leftovers.

      Reply
    8. Nora Pawlik says

      June 14, 2024 at 6:32 pm

      5 stars
      Great recipe! My pizza turned out delicious. If I didn't know the crust was made out of ground chicken, I would have thought it was regular flour dough. I put tomato sauce, cheese and pepperoni on the pizza I made, so it was kinda loaded with more calories. Next time I'll slim it down a bit. It is very filling, so a little goes a long way. I'm not running back for seconds.

      Reply
    9. Lisa says

      May 16, 2024 at 6:14 pm

      5 stars
      I made this for the first time tonight for dinner. It was very easy and it tasted absolutely delious!! My husband and I have recently been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and our doctor wanted us to go with a low carb diet for 3 months to determine if we would be prescribed meds. My husband said that the only thing he would change would be to make more! Recipes like this will help us maintain a low carb lifestyle! Thank you!!

      Reply
    10. Gayle Nykerk-Jones says

      March 18, 2024 at 4:53 pm

      5 stars
      I used 7% fat minced turkey breast. This is a great recipe

      Reply
    11. Anshirley Corathers says

      March 07, 2024 at 8:38 pm

      Can I skip the cheese as I am dairy intolerant?

      Reply
      • Jennifer Banz says

        March 08, 2024 at 8:31 am

        Yes, that should work.

        Reply
      • Michael D says

        January 28, 2025 at 12:58 pm

        5 stars
        You could also get a dairy free cheese substitute. You can find this at many stores. I found it at Walmart and Aldi. The flavor is a little off but still really good.

        Reply
    12. Margie Hall says

      March 07, 2024 at 12:14 pm

      Wow, pleasantly surprised! This is delicious , I made the crust crispier by cooking about 8 minutes longer .
      It turned out delicious !

      Reply
    13. Sherry says

      March 02, 2024 at 9:26 am

      5 stars
      This is quite good! And it is certainly better and less expensive than a frozen gluten free pizza crust. It was very easy to make. I took it off the parchment paper once I added the ingredients, hoping to make it crispier. FYI, I was referred to your recipe by the YouTube channel Keto Twins. Thank you!

      Reply
    14. Jennifer G says

      April 26, 2022 at 9:07 am

      I was just reminded how much I like chicken/bacon/ranch pizza...and I realize how well that would go with a chicken crust pizza! I'm so excited to try it out now. Thanks for this recipe.

      Reply
    15. Ellen Bornstein says

      February 23, 2022 at 7:34 pm

      5 stars
      I have tried with both ground and canned and they are both wonderful but canned is much easier.

      Reply
    16. Stephanie says

      February 20, 2021 at 6:08 pm

      5 stars
      oohh! I just submitted a review but forgot to rate it 5 stars! ????

      Reply
      • Laura says

        April 09, 2021 at 1:20 pm

        5 stars
        This was so simple & so good! Thanks for the great idea/recipe!

        Reply
    17. Stephanie says

      February 20, 2021 at 5:00 pm

      5 stars
      I make this EVERY TIME I crave pizza!!!! I am diabetic, and have tried EVERY type of KETO crust out there....even cauliflower pizza.... This chicken crust pizza is, by far, the absolute best....no question about it! I press mine really thin, and bake for 30 minutes....until the chicken crust kind-of browns... just my preference with chicken. The topping possibilities are endless! Tonight I am having turkey pepperoni, pineapple, jalapeno, and spinach. I am so endlessly grateful to you for posting this wonderful recipe and giving me pizza back! I have shared this with any and everyone... *hug*

      Reply
    18. Ryan Clancy says

      February 13, 2021 at 6:25 pm

      How the heck do you say the pizza crust alone is 400 calories? A pound of ground chicken ALONE is double that!

      Reply
      • jenniferbanz says

        February 16, 2021 at 12:44 pm

        Correct. The nutrition is for 1 serving and the recipe makes 2 servings. 1 pound of ground chicken is around 600 calories. Half of that would be 300.

        Reply
    19. Sumer Coile says

      July 20, 2020 at 9:47 am

      5 stars
      Thank you for sharing this recipe! By far the BEST pizza crust option I've found for Keto pizza.

      Reply
    20. Marcia Cunningham says

      July 15, 2020 at 7:15 pm

      5 stars
      My family loves this chicken crust pizza! Sometimes I use Alfredo sauce instead of a pizza sauce. I add thinly sliced onions and mushrooms before I add the cheese topping. We like a little cheddar cheese also.

      Reply
    21. Cindy says

      June 12, 2020 at 3:07 pm

      5 stars
      Trying tonight! Looks amazing!

      Reply
    22. gerly gonzales latimore says

      May 09, 2020 at 12:29 pm

      5 stars
      The hubby just made this and we both loooooved it! We put Italian sausage, onions, more mozzarella cheese and peperoncini! ??? this is a keeper indeed, thanks for sharing!

      Reply
    23. Jennifer Rinaldo says

      July 20, 2019 at 7:18 pm

      5 stars
      Delish! I love this recipe! So unique, flavorful and satisfying! Thanks for posting this!!!

      Reply
    24. Ryan says

      June 01, 2019 at 5:54 pm

      4 stars
      Crust only review! I only used this recipe for the crust portion and it had really good flavor. The only suggestion that I would make is that 1/2" is too thick and gives it an odd texture, IMO. Will definitely make again but I'll roll it out thinner to make it a bit crisper. Oh yeah, aluminum foil sprayed with cooking spray will work in place of parchment paper.

      Reply
      • Bob S says

        June 13, 2024 at 12:18 pm

        Recipe says 1/4”

        Reply
    25. terdralynn says

      May 24, 2019 at 1:20 pm

      5 stars
      I've made other keto/low-carb crusts, but none compare to this one. My husband and I like this crust a lot, but my youngest LOVES it! He's always asking when I'm going to fix pizza with this crust again.

      Reply
      • jenniferbanz says

        May 25, 2019 at 7:50 am

        That makes me so happy! Thank you so much for the review!

        Reply
      • Nora Thomas says

        July 15, 2019 at 3:17 pm

        This is from the recipe:

        I put the parchment paper with the crust in the oven directly on the rack.

        Place the pizza crust and the parchment paper on a rimmed baking sheet snd bake for 20 minutes.

        So I’m reading two different references about how to bake the crust in the oven. Could you clarify for me as I may be misunderstanding the directions? This sounds so yummy and I’m looking forward to trying it.

        Thanks so much for your response and for sharing this very interesting recipe.

        Reply
        • jenniferbanz says

          July 17, 2019 at 6:11 pm

          Sorry about that, Nora. I did change the recipe to place the crust on a rimmed baking sheet so the crust doesn't drip in the oven. I will update the post and thank you for bringing that to my attention!

    26. Emily says

      May 20, 2019 at 1:26 pm

      Any reason ground turkey wouldn't work as well? I have ground turkey on hand....

      Reply
      • jenniferbanz says

        May 20, 2019 at 3:07 pm

        It would definitely work!

        Reply
    27. Jessy says

      March 11, 2019 at 11:25 pm

      5 stars
      So delicious and Keto approved! Thank you!

      Reply
    28. Holly says

      February 21, 2019 at 3:06 pm

      Is there a way to smoke this on a Traeger?

      Reply
      • jenniferbanz says

        February 22, 2019 at 3:53 pm

        I am sure there is but I have no idea how, sorry!

        Reply
    29. Carole says

      January 12, 2019 at 11:41 pm

      5 stars
      What a great recipe. I had a problem with the parchment paper though. As it turned out, mine wasn't non- stick. I didn't realize there were differences in papers. I wish I had checked the link in the recipe first! My husband said this is a keeper.

      Reply
      • Sandra says

        July 31, 2019 at 2:33 am

        5 stars
        Sorry if this is a dumb question but is the 408 calories just for the crust or with the toppings too (new to eating healthy lol) I wanna make this exact recipe but I'm currently doing keto so I would like to log my correct info. 🙂

        Reply
        • jenniferbanz says

          August 02, 2019 at 8:39 am

          It's for just the crust. Each serving is half of the pizza

    30. Carole Richardson says

      January 12, 2019 at 9:45 pm

      5 stars
      What a great recipe! The idea is pure genius! My only problem was the fact that the parchment paper I used didn't do well with the oven temp (read crispy) and the crust stuck to the paper. I should have checked your choice of parchment in the recipe. Non-stick parchment, who knew. My husband said if I could figure out the paper, they were a keeper! Thanks.

      Reply
      • Tammy Reimer says

        March 04, 2023 at 10:58 pm

        How do you dry canned chicken in the oven in preparation for this recipe?

        Reply
    31. Amber says

      January 06, 2019 at 4:01 pm

      Do you think canned chicken would work?

      Reply
      • jenniferbanz says

        January 07, 2019 at 3:04 pm

        I am not sure. If you try, let me know how it works out for you!

        Reply
    32. Dori says

      November 04, 2018 at 12:28 pm

      5 stars
      How much is one serving?

      Reply
      • jenniferbanz says

        November 05, 2018 at 2:49 pm

        1/2 of the pizza

        Reply
      • Anna says

        August 13, 2019 at 10:34 pm

        What is the net carb ?

        Reply
        • jenniferbanz says

          August 14, 2019 at 4:59 pm

          1 Net carb for just the crust

    33. Kevin Nickerson says

      September 28, 2018 at 10:22 am

      This looks awsome.
      I'm going to try it topped with 1. BBQ sauce and red onion and bacon.
      Or 2. Buffalo sauce with crumbled blue cheese.
      Looks like a 5 star recipe I'll let you know.

      Reply
      • jenniferbanz says

        September 28, 2018 at 10:48 am

        Both of those sound amazing! Let me know what you think!

        Reply
        • Kevin Nickerson says

          September 28, 2018 at 4:46 pm

          5 stars
          Just devoured the bbq pizza. Buffalo one is in oven. Very good just had to pat off moisture before adding toppings

    34. Tristan says

      August 27, 2018 at 3:49 pm

      What kind of pizza sauce do you use that is ok for keto?

      Reply
      • jenniferbanz says

        August 27, 2018 at 7:13 pm

        I just look for one with the least amount of carbs

        Reply
    35. Lauren says

      July 02, 2018 at 7:48 pm

      5 stars
      Do you put out nutrition information for your recipes?!

      Reply
    36. Momof2under2 says

      June 21, 2018 at 5:31 pm

      4 stars
      I’m looking at my crust 10min into baking and it’s juicing like crazy! Why? ?

      Reply
      • jenniferbanz says

        June 24, 2018 at 9:10 am

        That happens, it's no big deal! Chicken will release moisture as it cooks.

        Reply
    37. Sues says

      May 21, 2018 at 12:28 pm

      5 stars
      omg best idea ever. I love my carbs as much as the next person, but a chicken crust? It's seriously genius and is so, so delicious!

      Reply
      • jenniferbanz says

        May 22, 2018 at 8:37 am

        So glad you liked it!

        Reply
    38. Marjory says

      May 21, 2018 at 10:59 am

      5 stars
      I'm always trying veggie pizza crusts. But, this is genius!!! Great recipe!

      Reply
      • jenniferbanz says

        May 22, 2018 at 8:38 am

        Thank you, Marjory!

        Reply

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    Hi, I'm Jennifer Banz - Creator behind Low Carb with Jennifer and author of Live Life Keto.

    I’ve been developing easy, high-protein, low carb recipes for over 13 years. Everything I share is simple, fast, and made with real ingredients you already have.

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