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Want a pizza with more protein? With no gluten or other allergens? With zero carbs? Meet the Chicken Pizza Crust from Z C Lyfe Foods. The Z C stands for zero carbs.
As January 5th is National Keto Day, it’s a perfect choice for our Top Pick Of The Week. But you don’t have to eat a keto diet to adore these pizza crusts (there’s more about the keto diet below).
The crusts don’t taste like chicken. The taste sensation is crispy. They’re as thin as a tortilla (and also able to be used for burritos, chilaquiles [recipe #3 below], nachos, and other creations).
As previously mentioned, the guilt-free Chicken Crust Pizzas are zero-carb. They’re also grain-free, gluten-free, sugar-free, optionally (depending on your toppings) dairy-free, and high-protein.
WHAT INGREDIENTS ARE IN THE CRUSTS?
The pizza crusts are made with just four ingredients: chicken breast, olive oil, salt, and spices.
There are no fillers, binders, nuts, or soy. The crusts are the very definition of all-natural, allergen-free, and diet-friendly.
For people who have been avoiding carbs and grains, they’re way more interesting than cauliflower crusts.
The 8″ diameter personal-size frozen plain crusts are meant for your own toppings (photo #2).
Each plain crust has 220 calories, 41g protein 5g Fat, 0g total carbs, 0g fiber, 0g sugar, 0g sugar alcohol, and 0g net carbs.
Or, you can purchase topped pizzas that are ready-to-bake and eat (photos #8 and #9).
Z C LYFE is the first packaged-food brand to develop a pizza crust using premium chicken breasts as the base ingredient. They are well worth your while to try.
- Here’s a store locator.
- You can also purchase them from the company’s website.
- As a grocery item, the crusts are not inexpensive, about $10 per crust.
- In terms of gustatory enjoyment for people with dietary restrictions, they’re worth it!
HOW DO YOU USE THE CRUSTS?
To make a pizza, simply place the plain crust on a sheet pan and bake it for 6-8 minutes. Then take it out, add your toppings, and bake it again for another 6-8 minutes. A delicious pizza awaits.
Alternatively, the ready-to-bake pizzas (next section) require no pre-baking and are ready in 15 minutes.
READY-TO-BAKE PIZZAS
In addition to plain crusts, there are currently two flavors that are topped and ready to bake:
- Beef and Cheese Pizza: chicken crust topped with tomato sauce, seasoned beef topping, and mozzarella cheese (photo #9).
- Buffalo Chicken Pizza: chicken crust topped with Buffalo sauce, Buffalo chicken breast strips, and mozzarella cheese.
- Two new flavors will be launching soon: Beef Bacon and Jalapeño, and a Cheese pizza to enjoy plain or with a few of your favorite toppings.
Nutrition facts: 480 calories, 38g protein, 33g fat, 4g total carbs, 1g fiber, 2g total sugars, 145 mg cholesterol.
RECIPE #1: BUTTERNUT SQUASH PIZZA
Here’s a perfect seasonal recipe. Pick as many of the ingredients as you like to build your custom pizza.
Ingredients
- Zero Carb Chicken Crust
- Smoked or regular mozzarella, sliced or shredded
- Roasted butternut squash (instructions below)
- Caramelized onions (instructions below)
- Chopped cooked bacon or sausage
- Finely chopped clove of garlic
- Rosemary leaves, main stem removed
- Garnish: a handful of baby arugula, baby spinach, or chopped kale
Preparation
1. ROAST the butternut squash. Peel the squash and remove the seeds. Cut the flesh into cubes and toss with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Bake for 35 minutes at 400°F.
2. CUT a large onion in half and then in half again, and slice. Melt one tablespoon of butter in a pan, add the onions, and stir for about 20 minutes until caramelized.
3. PRE-COOK the Zero Carb Chicken Crust at 450°F for 8 minutes. Top with the caramelized onions and other ingredients of choice, ending with the mozzarella on top. Return to the oven until the mozzarella melts.
4. REMOVE from the oven and top with the green garnish.
RECIPE #2: CARAMELIZED ONION, PROSCIUTTO, & GOAT CHEESE PIZZA
Thanks to @msstephwillis for this recipe.
Ingredients Per Serving
- Zero Carb Chicken Crust
- Minced garlic to taste
- Olive oil
- 2 medium onions, caramelized
- Fresh baby arugula
- Goat cheese log
- Prosciutto
- Balsamic glaze*
Preparation
1. PRE-BAKE the crust for 6-8 minutes at 450°F to ensure a crisper crust.
2. DRIZZLE the baked crust with olive oil and cover it with minced garlic and caramelized onions. Layer the prosciutto and goat cheese and bake for an additional 8-10 minutes
3. TOP with the balsamic drizzle and fresh arugula.
RECIPE #3: CHICKEN CRUST CHILAQUILES
See photo #7.
Ingredients Per Serving
- Zero Carb Chicken Crust
- Red salsa
- Garnishes: crumbled queso fresco, chopped red onion, sliced avocado, cilantro, fried egg
Preparation
1. PRE-BAKE the crust for 6-8 minutes at 450°F and cut it into tortilla chip-type slices. Spoon salsa red over each chip, then warm these chips in the oven for 10-15 minutes.
3. GARNISH AND SERVE.
WHAT IS A KETO DIET?
The ketogenic diet is a high-fat, adequate-protein, low-carbohydrate diet that forces the body to burn fats rather than carbohydrates.
It has become popular as a way to lose weight, but it was originally developed to help manage epilepsy. It also may help people with heart disease, certain brain diseases, and even acne. Here’s more about it.
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[1] A plain crust topped with cheese and cherry tomatoes (all photos © Z C Lyfe Foods.
[2] The plain crust needs to be pre-baked for 8 minutes, and is then ready to top.
[3] Eight minutes later, the pre-baked crust, thin and crispy.
[4] Ready to assemble the goat cheese and prosciutto pizza in Recipe #2, below.
[5] A white pizza with the plain crust topped with mozzarella, barbecue beef, spinach, and tomato.
[6] A plain crust topped with red sauce, broccoli, and red onion.
[7] Chilaquiles (recipe #3).
[8] Ready-to-bake pizzas: Just pop them into the oven.
[9] The ready-to-bake pizza with beef topping, after 15 minutes in the oven.
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