Chicken Salad Pizzas

Name: Chicken Salad Pizzas
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 5 servings.
Ingredients: 5 ounces cream cheese, softened; 1/3 cup mayonnaise; 1/2 teaspoon plus 1/8 teaspoon garlic powder, divided; 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts, cubed; 1 medium sweet yellow pepper, chopped; 1 medium green pepper, chopped; 1 medium red onion, halved and sliced; 1/4 teaspoon salt; 2 teaspoons olive oil; 5 whole pita breads, warmed; 1-2/3 cups fresh arugula or baby spinach; 1 can (11 ounces) mandarin oranges, drained; 4 bacon strips, cooked and crumbled; 2/3 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Sometimes it just takes a little creative spin to get the kids to gobble up an otherwise grown-up dish. Add the word “pizza” to this pretty, piled-high salad, and you won’t have to worry about leftovers. —Simple & Delicious Test Kitchen

Ingredients

5 ounces cream cheese, softened
1/3 cup mayonnaise
1/2 teaspoon plus 1/8 teaspoon garlic powder, divided
1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts, cubed
1 medium sweet yellow pepper, chopped
1 medium green pepper, chopped
1 medium red onion, halved and sliced
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons olive oil
5 whole pita breads, warmed
1-2/3 cups fresh arugula or baby spinach
1 can (11 ounces) mandarin oranges, drained
4 bacon strips, cooked and crumbled
2/3 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Directions

Combine the cream cheese, mayonnaise and 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder in a small bowl; set aside.
Cook chicken, peppers, onion, salt and remaining garlic powder in oil in a large skillet over medium heat until chicken is no longer pink. Spread cream cheese mixture over pita breads; top with arugula, chicken mixture and oranges. Sprinkle with bacon and cheddar cheese.

Originally published as Warm Chicken Salad Pita Sandwiches in Simple & Delicious December/January 2013