Mexican Pizzas + A Giveaway!
I think I can say that, by weight, Betsy and I maybe eat more avocados per week than any food. We normally will burn through 5-6 of them per week which is a lot. We put them on sandwiches, Tex-Mex, or I’ll just eat half of one with a spoon as a snack.
We’re addicted to the green stuff.
When I picked up Gaby Dalkin‘s new book, Absolutely Avocados, I would guess I earmarked approximately 70% of the recipes.
I couldn’t pick what I wanted to make first from this book so I tossed it up on a poll last week and let you guys decide. You chose wisely. I decided to reward your wise choice by giving away a few copies of Gaby’s book!
But first, the Chicken Mexican Pizzas.
Mexican Pizzas
Chicken Mexican Pizzas start with slow-roasted shredded chicken, add lots of cheese and a charred corn guacamole and you get this delicious tostada!
Ingredients
Charred Corn Guacamole:
Directions
For the Guac:
1) Rub the corn with some oil and grill it over high heat or roast it in a 450 degree F. oven for 10-15 minutes until it’s lightly charred on all sides.
2) Mix the other guacamole ingredients in a large bowl and mash together well. Stir in charred corn and season with lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Try not to eat it all before you make the pizzas!
For the Pizzas:
1) Stir together chicken thighs, salsa, paprika, chili powder, cumin, and salt. Add chicken to a baking dish and roast in a 350 degree oven for 30-35 minutes, turning a few times, until the thighs are cooked through.
2) Remove chicken and let cool for a few minutes. Then shred chicken with two forks. Remove bones from chicken and mix shredded chicken with salsa and other spices that the chicken cooked in.
3) On a large baking sheet, add a few corn tortillas brushed with oil. Bake in a 450 degree F. oven for 5 minutes until tortillas start to get crispy.
4) Remove tortillas and flip them. Top each tortilla with a smear of refried beans, a few spoonfuls of shredded chicken, and a small sprinkle of both kinds of cheese.
5) Return to oven and bake for another 3-4 minutes until cheese is well melted.
6) Top pizzas with shredded lettuce and a big scoop of charred corn guacamole. Serve immediately!
Chicken Mexican Pizzas
Good Guac
I love a good guacamole recipe, but I normally just keep it standard. Nothing fancy.
But this charred corn guac is really delicious. It has some twists on what I would normally put in guacamole and it starts with some delicious charred corn.
Basically, just rub a few ears of corn with olive oil and season them with a pinch of kosher salt. Then you can either grill them on high heat or roast the corn in a 450 degree F. oven for 10-15 minutes until the corn is lightly charred. I roasted mine this time around and I think the grill would’ve been better just so I could get a bit more char.
It was still great though.
More char would be best.
For the rest of the guacamole, just mash together the ingredients! This guacamole has some really unique flavors in my opinion. It leaves out the cilantro and switches lemon juice instead of lime juice. I loved the switch on the flavor profile.
Good just like this.
Then you chop the corn off the cob and stir it into the guacamole! Done deal.
Try not to eat all of this before you make the Chicken Mexican Pizzas. It’ll be hard.
This is realllly good.
Filling
The original recipe for these pizzas involves cooking the chicken in a slow cooker but I just roasted the chicken thighs for about 35-40 minutes until they were cooked through. You could absolutely stick everything in a slow cooker for a few hours though.
Start the chicken by stirring the spices, salsa, and chicken in a baking dish.
All mixed up.
Then bake the chicken for about 35 minutes until the thighs are cooked through. Give the thighs a stir as they cook to make sure the flavors are together.
Shred-ready.
When the thighs are cooked, let them cool a bit and then shred the chicken into bite-sized pieces. Personally, I like to use bone-in thighs because I think it keeps the meat more moist, but boneless would work also.
Big chunks are cool.
Once the chicken topping is cooked, you’re ready to make some pizzas!
Pizza Making
I love a lot of things about these little pizza tostada things, but I really like using two kinds of cheese as Gaby recommends. I went with a pepper jack cheese which melts well and a queso fresco that has some saltiness and doesn’t melt completely.
One melts one doesn’t.
To start a pizza, brush a few corn tortillas with oil and lay them out on a baking sheet. Bake them at 450 degrees for 5 minutes until they start to get crispy. Then give them a flip and top each tortilla with a smear of refried beans, some of the chicken topping, and both kinds of cheese.
Don’t forget the beans!
Put these back in the oven and bake them until the cheese melts and the chicken is warmed through, another 4-5 minutes.
Once the pizzas come out, top them with some shredded less and a huge dollop of the corn guacamole.
Fancy Tex-mex.
Two of these is a great meal, but I ate three because I just couldn’t stop.
Absolutely Avocados
Absolutely AvocadosThis is easy. I’m giving away three copies of this book because I really love the style of it, Gaby is a great writer, and avocados are one of my favorite things.
To enter to win, just leave a comment saying your favorite way to eat avocados.
I’ll pick three winners at random from the comments below on next Wednesday, July 3rd 8PM Pacific time and update this post with the winners. Unfortunately, I can only ship to US or Canada addresses. Good luck!
Winners!
Congrats to the winners:
176 comments on “Mexican Pizzas + A Giveaway!”
Avocados are amazing in guacamole…but I like cutting thin ribbons and putting them in my fish tacos, too!
I love avocados on toast! Or just tossed into a salad. They’re so good!
Guacamole!
Avocado on a blt, nothing fancy, nothing new, but definitely good!
Yum. Think I’d add a bit of sour cream on top.
If the avocados are good, I love just eating them plain with a pinch of salt and black beans on the side!
Sliced up on tacos, Can’t be beat.
My favorite way? As the outside of a sushi roll with either crab or ahi tuna.
On some tostadas!
on tostadas is the way to go for me :) Or if i’m feeling fancy, i’ll make spaghetti with avocado sauce. yummy
I love avocados! Throw them in a salad, on a California-style burrito. Yum!
Avocados are best smashed up in guacamole! Add in some jalapenos, tomatoes, and onions and you have some great guacamole.
With a spoon!
A little bit of pink Hawaiian salt on half with a spoon. Simply delicious!
I love avocado and will eat it pretty much any way I can get it, but I think my very favorite is avocado ice cream. Soooooo velvety smooth…….
On my morning egg sandwich, with spinach, salt&pepper, a little cheese, and salsa.
I like to eat my avocadoes smashed on a slice of toasted multigrain bread, then topped with lime juice, salt, pepper and a poached egg. :)
My favorite way currently is in a salad with mango and grilled chicken.
That is until I try a new recipe !
I love avocado and would enjoy it used many different ways. Love a good simple caprese salad with avocado, tomato, and mozzarella with a tasty olive oil, balsamic, salt, and pepper.
Sliced over salads, grilled on the BBQ, smashed with maldon salt and gobbled up with veggies, and of course adding them to a BLT or chicken club!
My favorite way to eat avocadoes is thinly sliced, on top of a burger! Or mixed in with your chilaquiles recipe :)
I substitute the mayo in my tuna fish wraps with avocado (with some fresh habaneros and cilantro as well)…yum!
Split the avocado, little EVOO, Salt and pepper, grill for 4-5 minutes! So good.
Thanks my mouth is watering now… I am at work and it’s 11:08am too early for lunch… or not…
Those pizzas look amazing.
My favorite way is to make simple guacamole (avocado, salt, lemon juice), smear it on toast, and then top it with a sliced hard boiled egg and some alfalfa sprouts in a sandwich. Might sound weird, but it’s soooo good.
Yum, those mexican pizzas look amazing!!
My favorite way to eat an avocado is stuffed with egg and bacon and baked in the oven. Its the best breakfast ever!!!
Chips + Guac … or pretty much on everything. Avocados make everything better.
I just posted a recipe for avocado potato salad that we’ve been eating regularly so this was timely! I love replacing the mayo and mustard with avocado and Greek yogurt. The lime juice and cayenne give it a nice kick too.
I enjoy them as Guacamole, slices on a sandwich, mashed as a topping on a burger (this is going to be dinner tonight), a topping on Nachos, etc.
I’ve been making toast with smashed avocados and sliced tomatoes for breakfast lately. With some salt – so good!
While I really like guacamole, the best avocado I’ve had is fresh slices on a salad. Or on a burger… that’s nice too.
Oh my goodness, avocados are my favorite. I love it in breakfast burritos and in salads, but I love to play around with them to make variations of guacamole. The newest kind I’ve tried is crab guacamole – so good! And this recipe book looks amazing!
It’s hard to pick just one favorite, but diced and tossed with grilled & diced shrimp, a little mango, a little habanero and a spritz of lime juice.
Cut avocado in half, deseed. Put grated cheese inside seed hole. Cover the avocado half completely with ground beef to make a thick looking hamburger patty. Season and cook. Serve in a really great hamburger bun or, if you are doing low carb like I am, eat without the bun. Woohoo!
In a veggie sandwich with sprouts, carrots, greens, (roasted) red pepper cream cheese, pumpkin seeds and bbq sauce! But those pizzas look pretty good!
I love avocado in sandwiches and burritos. I like the flavor and texture it adds instead of mayo or sour cream.
Love avocados & gaucamole! I eat about a half a one a day. I call them Green Gold!
In a burrito. In my stomach.
In a burrito. In my stomach
I love them plain, or as a side to pretty much anything. Guac is amaze-balls too.
Guacamole, but I need to find some more ways.
My favorite way to eat avocado would definitely have to be with a soy sauce and a little mayo… big bonus if I have it like an open california roll!!
I love avocado on my BLTs!
I love avacados just cut in half with a litlte balsamic vinagrette and some crumbled goat cheese. yum!
This summer I have been loving avocados (sliced and frozen) in my smoothies and popsicles. I also experimented and made avocado fudge the other night. All time favorite is simply avocado, sea salt, and lemon juice. YUM!
I, too, like to eat them with a spoon! Preferably with a dollop of cottage cheese and some pistachio oil drizzled on top.
I really just like chips and guac
avacado.salt.pepper.limejuice.yum.
I’ll be honest, I eat avocados with everything! Eggs, tacos, soup, any meat, anything! However, my favorite way is in a simple salsa with fresh tomatoes, onions, lime juice, avocados, cilnatro and a little garlic salt. Pair that with whatever you like and it instantly becomes amazing!
Hey Sarah,
Congrats! You won the Absolutely Avocados giveaway! I’ll email you with details! – Nick
mashed with blue cheese, salt and pepper, on toast. yum!
Salt and lemon and I’m in heaven!
I love slicing it and putting in on hamburgers and tacos.
I love having avocados on sandwiches, especially your sardine and avocado sandwich.
Thanks for the giveaway.
Love avocado and peanut butter…whether its sandwiches or in cookies!
My favorite way to eat avocado- any way!!!!
Looks delicious! I will be making these this weekend. I love to eat Avocados in a basic salad of chopped green onion, avocado, chopped cherry tomatoes, feta cheese, and dressing of balsamic vinegar or red wine vinegar and olive oil.
Guacamole. Guacamole. GUACAMOLEEEEE!
One of my absolute favorite breakfast sandwiches: english muffin, fried egg, sliced avocado. So simple but so delicious!
While I love avocados in most all forms, my favorite is still the most simple: mashed with a dash of salt, pepper, and lime juice and spread over 1 -2 pieces of exceptionally hearty toast :)
Right out of the skin with a spoon and kosher salt!
Sliced tomato, sliced avocado and lettuce on grilled chickpea burgers !
Guacamole and in smoothies for creaminess!
Avocado and homemade ricotta on crostini!
Love guacamole, but also love a salad with chunks of avocado, tomatoes, mozzarella cheese drizzled with olive oil, topped with shreds of fresh basil. Yummo!
Absolutely on California Rolls!
Yum! I must make these!
I think my new favorite way is on these pizzas!
Generally just mash with Serrano pepper, garlic, salt, pepper and a little olive oil at the end.
Every way, shape, and form!! I especially like it when it is paired with bacon :)
What’s not to love about avocados? Sandwiches, salads, plain! Guacamole is still my favorite! With chips!
Avocado on lettuce with tomatoes and cucumber, olive oil mixed with a little lime juice and a small pinch of brown sugar. Heaven!
Guacamole Smoothie…a savory smoothie for those times when you just don’t want something sweet!
It’s gotta be guacamole…ole!
I have to say, I’m boring: I like guacamole best.
Just made your Fresh Plum Galette. I must make 80% of what you post! Never a disappointment. Am an avocado fan also. Have made the shopping list for this latest. I appreciate your time and dedication to making my life even better with great, innovative recipes.
Awesome. Thanks for reading Lynne. :)
you mean I have to pick just one favorite way to eat avocadoes?? Can that favorite way be eating them on EVERYTHING? because that’s pretty much what I do…
I did make a pretty killer pizza the other day with roasted eggplant, caramelized onions, sliced avocado, feta cheese, and drizzled with a balsamic reduction. YUM. As weird as it is, I think it would have been even better with a light drizzle of honey to bring it all together.
I had a great sandwich the other day called a california BLT. It had avocado spread, bacon, cheddar, lettuce and tomatoes on a sourdough bread. Awesome.
i knew there was a reason i started following your blog. i’m an avocado addict as well! this recipe looks amazing, now i have to sit at work all day thinking about it.
Mixed into cottage cheese!
On hamburgers!
Guacamole with my homemade salsa is the best! It’s frequently my dinner in the summer when it’s just too hot to cook.
My fav way is avocado, apple, brie pannini. Simple and delish!
Lately with all the tomatoes and cucumbers from my garden, I just toast some whole grain bread, spread some avocado over that, season with a little garlic powder and Himalayan salt and top with fresh tomatoes and cucumbers and a bit more salt. Heavenly yum!
I love avocados in salads.
Avocado on a ham and Swiss sandwich
I love chunky guacamole, avacado in my salads, or just eating with lime and salt. It also makes a great (easy!) baby food!
For me, guacamole is avocado nirvana! Usually, I make a homemade tomatillo salsa and mix that in to lightly mashed avocados but this charred corn guac is motivating me to try something new. It sounds yummy.
on top of tacos!
I love guacamole and must say, I make a mean one…but, I think my favorite way is one of yours…a half (or the whole, guilty…) with some salt and pepper, scoop it out and eat with a spoon… some yummy for my tummy!!
I love avacados on salads. It’s like eating your vegetables and getting cake too!
I like Avocado on sandwiches, salads and in Mexican dishes, Yum Yum . . . .
Love them in salads – and guac of course. I think I might make this, but change it up using the uncooked flour tortillas and wrapping all the stuff inside burrito style.
Is there any better way than plain old guacamole?? I love it with homemade tortilla chips! If there is a close second though, I love avocados on a turkey burger. I make a southwestern turkey burger with roasted chilies in the ground turkey and tomato and avocado…. Yumm! My mouth is watering now! :)
Chopped up with a touch of vinegar and salt and pepper. Yum!
I have one almost every morning on a piece of toast with a soft boiled egg. Six and a half minutes (I learned that from you, too!).
On toast! Seriously, I have avocado on toast for breakfast at least 3 times a week – sometimes mashed, sometimes sliced, usually with a big crunchy gray sea salt, sometimes with a drizzle of olive oil or a squeeze of lime, sometimes with a little chopped tomato. This morning was just sliced and salted with a side of cherries. Yum.
we love making guacamole…. simple answer yet so true! we always make a huge batch!
a lot of people wants a free book about avocados…
fresh slices in tacos or on burgers…
My favorite way to eat avocados is just plain with a little sprinkle of sea salt. Simple and delicious!
I love making avocado ice cream. Thank you for the giveaway!
I don’t think there is one thing about this recipe that I don’t like. Makes my mouth water. As for avocados, I think my favorite way is prepared salsa tucked inside a polenta pancake. It was a recipe in a vegetarian cookbook I found years ago. I should make that again soon.
Hey Daktari,
Congrats! You won the Absolutely Avocados giveaway! I’ll email you with details! – Nick
Woot! Woot! Thanks Nick!
I probably could have eaten four. They look amazing.
I could eat my weight in avocados, as well. I LOVE them any old way, but my favorite is probably on a croissant with a garlicky feta dip that I make. So amazingly delicious.
I think this cookbook could be my soulmate. I LOVE avocados.
I love using guacamole as a salad dressing. I’m also of the opinion that there is nothing better than a bowl of tomato soup with avocado on top.
I love avocados on pretty much anything too. Or just plain with some chili powder. Pretty sure I could eat a gallon of guacamole in one sitting with no shame.
I will try these! Corn in quac…..will have to try it.
Best ways to eat avocados is sliced on a sandwich or with an omelet. Just love the texture and taste of eggs and avocado together.
My favorite preparation of avocados is spread on whole wheat toast with tomato or fried egg on top, open faced.
Hard to beat guac and chips, but our family’s favorite salad is a romaine leaf, topped with diced avocados, topped with a dressing of lemon juice, olive oil, minced fresh garlic, sea salt and cracked pepper, homemade crostini on the side. YUM!
I put avocado on absolutely everything! I probably go through about 5 or 6 as well. I make a guacamole that rivals any others but I am interested to try corn in it. I want this cookbook! :)
I keep them simple. Sliced on a warm corn tortilla with a squeeze of lime juice. Rolled up and a perfect midday/late night snack
You can’t really top a good guacamole. I love the variation with charred corn here! Another favorite way to use avocados is in smoothies – it makes it so creamy, and it’s really filling too!
Last night I got some pesto and sundried tomatoes and roasted garlic from the fancy olive bar at the store, chopped those up, put them in an avocado half and topped it with asiago. It was the best part of dinner.
Favorite way. . . Had a sammich in Austin, Tx. Rosemary focaccia, blackened chicken, roasted red bell pepper and avocado. Oh my god Becky it was good. But avocado’s are good anytime!
In chicken salad! I mix avocado with chicken, a slight bit of mayo, fresh cilantro and lime juice and S&P. Delicious!
I am obsessed with avocados! I love to eat them sliced on a salad or with eggs in the morning!
Avocado and Sardines
Avocados stuffed with crab meat!! Yumm!!
I love avocados!.. that much that I planted one in my tiny- backyard! My favorite is a salad like, choppped avocados with finely chopped tomatoes and scallions with some lime juice (not that much) and finely chopped cilantro. You can serve as a side dish or like a salsa on any dish or dip. Enjoy!
My favorite summer time sandwich – toasted whole grain “bird bread” (with lots of seeds in it). Veganaise, spicy brown mustard, at least 1/2 of an avocado, and fresh tomato slices. <3
It’s a toss up! I love them on a cobb sald, bu they are also equally delicious In my fiance’s twist on a pico de gallo. Mmmmm!
I join the crowd! Love avocados! On burgers, tacos, toast and salads. Got to try avocados and sardines!
Thanks for a chance to win a great cookbook.
Wow, yum, I gotta try this too.
Thanks for a good idea!
I love them straight out of the skin with S&P! I also love them as a condiment in place of mayo- it’s fat, but it’s good fat and much more creamy and flavorful!
Avocados on everything!
I love alvacados and scrambled eggs!
I love to make a pasta “sauce” with avocados, lemon, and garlic. Yum! I also love it in sushi!
love avocados and eggs. and o salad, tacos, and more
I know this is awfully original, but I love avocado in guacamole. I especially love guac on top of poached eggs, on top of bacon, sandwiched between some English Muffins toasted in bacon fat and butter. Yowza!
I love plain avocados! My toddler and I often share one for breakfast or lunch… But he’s starting to eat more and more of it by himself. Pretty soon, we’ll both be having a whole avocado.
guacamole is my fave! also like it with just a little mayo
These look awesome!! YUM!!! I need a cookbook! :-)
Pan seared or grilled Salmon with an avocado remoulade topping.
Simple….slightly mashed avocado, cilantro, diced onion, lime juice and salt. Perfection. Or simply sprinkle sea salt on a halved avocado and grab a spoon.
Lately it is either as guacamole or as 7 layer dip!
In a salad with spinach, quinoa, black olives, red onion, and balsamic. Yum!
A favorite from my mother’s, Australia-dwelling side of the family: avocados mashed on toast, drizzled with lemon or lime juice + salt & pepper to taste. Now a go-to breakfast as I attempt to remain VB6.
I mash them with some feta and salt and pepper and smear on some sourdough or rye toast.
I mash them on some toasted tortillas, sprinkle with some crumbled goat cheese, salt & pepper, then drizzle with fresh lime juice & hot sauce. So good!
Any Mexican recipe. Or pain with some seasoning salt.
Mashed with a pinch of salt and spread out over a salad!
Hey Stephanie,
Congrats! You won the Absolutely Avocados giveaway! I’ll email you with details! – Nick
I mix up some soy sauce, honey, garlic, and ginger and drizzle it over a half an avocado. So good for lunch!
Guacamole is my favorite, but I eat it for lunch quite a bit with canned salmon, lemon juice, pepper and crackers.
My husband used to put slices of avocados in our sushi rolls. It was amazing! :)
As of yet, I have not had an avocado that I like; perhaps I just haven’t found a good recipe.
These look seriously scrumptious! Yum!!
I love avocados too!! I like to eat them on top of a burger yum!!
I realy like avocados
My favorite way is to eat avocados is my recipe for avocado tuna salad.
I love em’ sometimes just dusted with sea salt and garlic powder!!
Halves topped with oil, salt, and cumin then grilled til creamy on the inside and a little charred on the outside. Great eaten as is or scooped out and used as a condiment.
As mousse – fluffed with some cocoa powder and powdered sugar.
Avocado milkshakes (soymilk, avocado, and a touch of honey if you like it sweet) are awesome, but I eat them most often with a spoon.
I love them in guacamole…my favorite!!
I love avocado’s in Guac and shared with family
Any way really, but raw with a spoon is the best!
I like to take Avocado halves and stuff them with
freshly caught and steamed Dungeness crab top
with a dollup of mango salsa.
Acocados are also the world’s easiest baby food. Travels well in a diaper bag, and very soft for kids of all ages.
Not a contest entry – I already have too many books.
But wow, you and I made very similar dishes on the same day again. In retrospect I would have loved having your guaccornmole on my pizzas too.
I love making fresh roasted garlic guacamole and using it with chips, as a spread on a sandwich or topping for tacos, tostadas or enchiladas. We even put it on top of our tamales at breakfast!
3 top choices – in a salad, guacamole, or on a homemade BLT w/ avocado, cheese, onion, etc.
I Love them in Sushi!!! Also, I have been eating a lot of them lately in a simple salad with tomatoes, onions, cukes and an avocado. Its Yummy and so good for you!!! :-)
I love guacamole! My sister in law likes it with condensed milk and sugar – Filipino style.
My favorite way to eat avocado is making an avocado toast. Avocado on top of toast with a olive oil, salt, pepper, red pepper flakes and a squeeze of lemon juice. It’s simple yet very delicious!
mmm… avocados! I like them in salads, but sliced on a burger is great too :)
Guacamole is of course an irreplaceable standby, but I love mashing up avocados with a little bit of salt and tossing fresh pasta in it to make a unbelievably simple and delicious sauce! Throw in some roasted grape tomatoes to perfectly round out the taste of the dish! (and add a little pasta cooking water if you want a thinner sauce. So easy!)
Can’t go wrong with avocado mashed up in a corn tortilla with some cheddar jack cheese and grilled, or just scooped out onto a plate with a squeeze of lemon and a pinch of salt. :) Its my favorite food!
I LOVE avocados. They are SO good on salads, and paired with bacon on a chicken sandwich!
On crackers instead of cheese!
Yum-I adore avocados!! right now, my fav way to eat them is with a southwestern-themed quinoa salad!! The salad keeps for 5 days in the fridge & I just add the avocados before serving!! A complete meal!
Besides guacamole, my favorite way to eat avocados is in an omelet!
Guac of course!
I love avocados almost any way, but mixed in tuna salad with mustard as a substitute for mayo is a quick and easy favorite.