Musakhan Pizza (Palestinian Chicken Pizza with a Twist)

  • Servings 4

  • Prep Time 25 minutes

  • Cook Time 1 hour 5 minutes

Intro

A modern take on the traditional Palestinian dish Musakhan—this version transforms the classic sumac-spiced chicken and caramelized onions into a savory pizza-style tart using puff pastry. Rich, tangy, and layered with flavor, it’s a must-try!

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Ingredients

For the Chicken Topping:

  • 900 g (2 lbs) chicken (thighs, breasts, or whole chicken)
  • 450 g (1 lb) red or yellow onions, thinly sliced
  • 1 cup (240 ml) good-quality olive oil
  • 1 cup (80 g) ground sumac
  • ½ cup (60 g) pine nuts, toasted
  • Salt and black pepper to taste

For Cooking the Chicken:

  • 3 bay leaves
  • 3 cardamom pods
  • 1 tsp salt
  • ½ tsp black pepper
  • 1 tsp ground nutmeg
  • 2 tsp mixed spices (e.g., allspice, cinnamon, paprika)
  • 1 onion, sliced into half-moons

For Assembly:

  • 1 sheet puff pastry
  • 1 egg (for egg wash)

Instructions

  1. Boil the Chicken:
    In a large pot, add the chicken and cover with water. Bring to a boil, skim off any foam, then add the bay leaves, cardamom pods, salt, pepper, nutmeg, mixed spices, and half-mooned onion. Cover and simmer for about 45 minutes until cooked through.
  2. Shred the Chicken:
    Once cooked, remove the chicken from the broth. Discard skin and bones and shred the meat. Set aside.
  3. Prepare the Onion Mixture:
    In a large skillet, heat the olive oil. Add the sliced onions and cook over medium heat until soft and golden. Add the sumac and sauté for 2–3 more minutes. Stir in the shredded chicken and toasted pine nuts, mix well, and remove from heat.
  4. Assemble the Pizza:
    Preheat the oven to 195°C / 380°F. Roll out the puff pastry like a pizza dough. Use a large plate as a guide to cut a round shape.
    Place the chicken-onion mixture in the center, leaving a 2–3 cm (1 inch) border. Fold the edges over slightly to form a rustic crust.
  5. Bake:
    Beat the egg and brush it over the pastry edges. Bake for 20 minutes or until the puff pastry is golden and crisp.
  6. Serve:
    Let cool slightly before serving. Slice and enjoy your Musakhan Pizza warm!

Recipe Video

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