Are you tired of the same old pizza options? Look no further than the delicious combination of chicken, bacon, ranch, and Detroit-style crust. This unique pizza blend offers the perfect balance of savory and creamy flavors, all on top of a crispy, deep-dish crust. In this blog post, we’ll share the recipe for this mouth-watering pizza creation and some tips for making the perfect crust. Trust us, this pizza will be a game changer for your next pizza night.

This chicken bacon Ranch pizza is Detroit style! We use our traditional pizza dough or our sourdough pizza dough to make this. We layer on Italian seasoning, fresh mozzarella, and copious amounts of Ranch dressing smothered chicken! You can use leftover or smoked chicken, or grab a rotisserie chicken at the store.

What is Detroit-Style Pizza?

Detroit-style pizza is a thick, square or rectangular cut pizza with a crunchy, fried bottom layer of crust overflowing with delicious melted cheese. The corners are the most coveted pieces, as they are super crunchy!

Who invented Detroit-Style Pizza?

Detroit-style pizza is a unique and beloved variety of pizza that originated in Detroit, Michigan, in the mid-20th century. The history of this pizza style is closely tied to the city’s industrial roots and Italian-American community.

Origins:

Detroit-style pizza was first created in 1946 at Buddy’s Rendezvous, a neighborhood bar owned by Gus Guerra and his wife, Anna, on Detroit’s east side. The Guerra family, of Sicilian descent, initially served traditional Italian dishes but eventually sought to create a new pizza that stood out from the rest.

The Pan:

One of the key innovations behind Detroit-style pizza was the use of a rectangular steel pan, which was originally intended for automotive parts—specifically, oil pans or drip trays used in Detroit’s automobile factories. These blue-steel pans were ideal for baking pizza because they conducted heat evenly, creating a crispy, caramelized crust while keeping the interior light and airy.

The Pizza:

Detroit-style pizza is characterized by its thick, chewy crust that is crispy on the edges and soft in the middle. The dough is similar to focaccia, and the pizza is typically rectangular, a shape defined by the pan. Cheese, traditionally Wisconsin brick cheese, is spread to the edges of the dough, which leads to the signature crispy, cheesy crust.

Another distinctive feature is the way the toppings are applied. The cheese goes directly on the dough, followed by the toppings, and then the sauce is ladled on top in thick stripes or dollops, rather than being spread under the cheese. This “sauce on top” method prevents the crust from becoming soggy and allows the toppings to bake in, contributing to the pizza’s unique texture.

Popularity and Spread:

Initially, Detroit-style pizza was a local phenomenon, enjoyed mostly by Detroiters who frequented Buddy’s Rendezvous and a few other pizzerias. However, in recent decades, its popularity has spread beyond Detroit. As food enthusiasts and chefs across the country discovered the appeal of this style, Detroit-style pizza began appearing on menus nationwide.

Modern Day:

Today, Detroit-style pizza has become a culinary trend, with many pizzerias and restaurants offering their take on this distinctive style. It is celebrated for its crispy edges, pillowy interior, and bold flavors, making it a favorite for pizza lovers who appreciate a unique take on the classic dish.

The combination of industrial innovation, Italian-American culinary traditions, and Detroit’s hardworking spirit has made Detroit-style pizza a lasting and iconic part of America’s food landscape.

What you will need to make this Chicken Bacon Ranch Detroit Style Pizza:

To make Chicken Bacon Ranch Detroit Style Pizza, you’ll need the following ingredients, each playing a crucial role in the recipe:

1. Pizza Dough: The foundation of the pizza, Detroit-style pizza dough is typically thicker and fluffier, with a crispy bottom and soft, airy interior. It’s essential for achieving that classic deep-dish texture.
2. Garlic Olive Oil: This is brushed onto the dough before baking to infuse the crust with a rich, savory garlic flavor and help crisp it up during baking.
3. Pizza Seasoning: A blend of herbs like oregano, basil, and thyme, this seasoning enhances the overall flavor of the pizza by adding a burst of traditional Italian flavors.
4. Mozzarella Cheese: The main cheese used for the pizza, mozzarella provides the signature gooey, melty texture. It’s spread generously across the dough for a rich and creamy base.
5. Fresh Mozzarella: Used in combination with regular mozzarella, fresh mozzarella adds a luxurious, soft texture and a richer, milkier flavor, creating a more complex cheese layer.
6. Bacon: Adds a smoky, salty crunch to the pizza. The bacon’s richness complements the creaminess of the cheese and the tang of the ranch dressing.
7. Chicken: The primary protein of the pizza, chicken adds a hearty, savory component. Grilled or roasted chicken works best for a juicy and flavorful topping.
8. Ranch Dressing: Drizzled on top, ranch dressing adds a tangy, creamy finish that ties the whole pizza together. Its herbs and spices also enhance the overall flavor profile, balancing out the richness of the cheese and bacon.

Each ingredient in this Chicken Bacon Ranch Detroit Style Pizza recipe contributes to the delicious contrast of textures and flavors that make this pizza so satisfying.

Instructions:

1. Preheat the Oven: Start by preheating your oven to 475°F. While it heats, prepare a 13×9-inch pan by spraying it with oil. Then, brush the entire pan with garlic oil, making sure to coat the corners for extra flavor.
2. Prepare the Dough: Roll out your pizza dough into a rectangular shape that fits the pan. Place the dough in the pan and gently press it into the corners. Sprinkle Italian seasoning evenly over the dough for an extra burst of flavor.
3. Add the Cheese: Grate your mozzarella cheese and spread it generously over the dough, making sure to push the cheese right into the corners. This step ensures the edges get that deliciously crispy, caramelized cheese crust.
4. Prepare Fresh Mozzarella: If your fresh mozzarella is moist, slice it into thick pieces and press them with a tea towel or paper towel to remove excess moisture. Then, layer these slices on top of the grated mozzarella. Trust us—this layering order is key for perfect texture!
5. Add the Bacon: Now, it’s bacon time! Fry up a full pound of bacon, then crumble it evenly over the mozzarella layer. The ratio of bacon to crust and cheese is essential, so don’t skimp!
6. Prepare the Chicken: In a bowl, mix cooked chicken with ranch dressing. Use your hands to ensure the chicken is well-coated, aiming for a mixture that’s moist but not too wet. Adjust the amount of ranch dressing based on the quantity of chicken. Once mixed, spread the chicken evenly over the bacon. This helps protect the bacon from overcooking while allowing everything to meld together perfectly.
7. Bake the Pizza: Place the pan in the oven and bake for 15 minutes. After 15 minutes, cover the pizza with foil to prevent over-browning and rotate the pan for even baking. Continue baking until the pizza is golden and the cheese is bubbly.
8. Cool and Slice: Once baked, remove the pizza from the oven and let it sit for 5 minutes to set up. Run a butter knife along the edges to loosen the pizza from the pan. Using a thin metal spatula, carefully transfer the pizza to a cutting board or butcher block. Slice it into squares and enjoy your delicious Chicken Bacon Ranch Detroit-style pizza!

Chicken Bacon Ranch Pizza Detroit Style

https://youtu.be/JXtjZUe36l0

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Prep Time: 25 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes minutes

Total Time: 55 minutes minutes

Course: dinner

Cuisine: Italian

Keyword: bacon, chicken, Detroit style pizza, Pizza

Servings: 15 pieces of pizza

Calories: 312kcal

Author: Bruce and Dina Miller

Equipment

• 13 x 9 pan
• Spatula
• Pastry Brush
• Butter knife

Ingredients

• Spray oil
• 1 lb Homemade or store bought pizza dough
• 2 tablespoons garlic olive oil
• 1 teaspoon Pizza seasoning or Italian seasoning
• 1 cup freshly grated mozzarella cheese
• 15 thick slices of fresh mozzarella
• 1 lb. bacon cut up and cooked
• 3 cups cooked chicken cubed or shredded
• 1/3 cup Ranch Dressing can use more if you want

Instructions

• Pre-heat oven to 475 F. Spray 13x9 pan with spray oil. Then brush the entire pan with garlic oil, make sure to get the corners.
  Spray oil, 2 tablespoons garlic olive oil
• Roll out pizza dough into a rectangle shape. Place the dough into pan, and press into corners. Sprinkle with Pizza seasoning. Add the freshly grated mozzarella over the top, again, make sure to get cheese into the corners of the pan.
  1 lb Homemade or store bought pizza dough, 1 teaspoon Pizza seasoning, 1 cup freshly grated mozzarella cheese
• If your fresh mozzarella is on the moist side, after slicing the thick pieces, press them with a tea towel or paper towel to get the moisture out. Then layer the slices over the grated mozzarella. Trust us, this is the order you want to go in!
  15 thick slices of fresh mozzarella
• Now it is time for the bacon! Sprinkle the bacon evenly over the mozzarella. Yes, we use a full pound of bacon fried up for this. This is how much you will want for the ration of pizza crust, to cheese, to chicken!
  1 lb. bacon
• In a bowl, mix the cooked chicken with the ranch dressing. We use our hands to mix this. You are looking for a mixture that is on the wetter side, just not too wet. Adjust the Ranch dressing amount based on your chicken amount. Now put that chicken over the top of the bacon. The chicken protects the bacon from getting over cooked, and everything will melt together, we promise!
  3 cups cooked chicken, 1/3 cup Ranch Dressing
• Bake for 15 minutes, then cover with foil, and turn for even baking. Remove pizza from oven and allow to sit for 5 minutes, to set up. Run a butter knife along the outside of the pizza to loosen it up from the pan. Using a thin metal spatula, remove the pizza onto a butcher block. Slice pizza into squares.

Video

Nutrition

Serving: 1piece | Calories: 312kcal | Carbohydrates: 15g | Protein: 15g | Fat: 21g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 8g | Trans Fat: 0.04g | Cholesterol: 49mg | Sodium: 541mg | Potassium: 136mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 84IU | Vitamin C: 0.003mg | Calcium: 51mg | Iron: 1mg

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Try one of our pizza dough recipes!

Trader Joe’s Overnight Pizza Dough

Sourdough Pizza Dough