Recipe
Polenta Chicken Pizza Bites
Prep Time: 30 min
Cook Time: 45 min
Serves: 16
This is an easy, flexible recipe and you can change the toppings to suit your preference and what you have available. It also works well with leftover roast chicken.
Contributed By: Developed for CFC by Nancy Guppy, RD, MHSc
Ingredients
2.2 lb (1 kg)
cornmeal (polenta), firm, tube
1/4 cup (60 mL)
corn flour
1/4 cup (60 mL)
wheat flour
3/4 lb (0.4 kg)
boneless, skinless chicken thighs
5 tbsp (75 mL)
olive oil
2
cloves garlic, minced
1 cup (250 mL)
tomato basil pasta sauce, low-sodium
1 cup (250 mL)
your favourite marinara
2 cups (500 mL)
mozzarella cheese, part skim, 16.5% MF, grated
3 tbsp (45 mL)
thyme, fresh
1 tbsp (15 mL)
thyme, dried
Instructions
1
Make polenta circles by first cutting the tube of polenta in half. Then slice each half into 8 equal width circles (16 total).
2
Spread flour out on a dinner plate. This recipe uses corn flour but white or whole-wheat flour works well too. Push the circles down on the flour coating lightly on both sides. Set aside.
3
Heat 1 Tbsp (15 mL) of olive oil over medium-high heat in a skillet. Lightly brown polenta slices on both sides - about 4-5 minutes per side. Work in batches of 4 to 6 pieces at a time depending on the size of your pan. Add 1 Tbsp (15 mL) more olive oil at start of each batch. Coat a baking pan with vegetable oil spray and spread browned pieces of polenta out on the baking pan.
4
Heat 1 Tbsp (15 mL) of olive oil in non-stick skillet. Sauté minced garlic a few minutes to soften. Add chicken thighs and sauté until cooked through and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Cut chicken thighs across the grain into strips to yield 16 pieces.
5
Top each polenta bite with 1 Tbsp (15 mL) tomato sauce and use a spoon to spread over the base. Top each polenta with a slice of chicken thigh. Sprinkle each with 1 Tbsp (15 mL) grated cheese. Finish with 1/2 tsp (2.5 mL) fresh thyme leaves.
6
Preheat the broiler. Broil for 2-3 minutes or until the cheese is bubbling and lightly browned. Keep an eye on them as they can burn easily.