Pizza Rolls Recipe (With Chicken Tikka)

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Have you ever craved pizza with bold, aromatic South Asian flavors? This chicken tikka pizza rolls recipe is the perfect way to take your pizza game to the next level! Imagine biting into a warm, soft roll filled with spicy chicken tikka, gooey cheese, and tangy marinara sauce. It's the perfect fusion dish that combines the best of Pakistani and Italian cuisines.

Chicken tikka pizza rolls with a side of marinara sauce.

Chicken tikka is one of the most popular Pakistani recipes and one of my personal favorites! It's packed with flavor and so simple to make—just like this pizza rolls recipe. While this recipe includes a marinara dipping sauce to serve with your dish, you could dip them in cilantro mint chutney to add a more Pakistani flare!

Growing up in a Pakistani household, we rarely ordered pizza, but it was always a special treat when we did. Now that I have my own family, I've found ways to blend those familiar Western comfort foods with the flavors of my heritage. These pizza rolls have become a Friday night favorite in our home!

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Why you'll love this pizza rolls recipe
Ingredient notes
Substitutions & variations
Step-by-step instructions
Expert Tips
Recipe FAQS
Other snacks recipes you may like
Pizza Rolls Recipe (With Chicken Tikka)

Why you'll love this pizza rolls recipe

It's a fun take on pizza night: This pizza rolls recipe transforms pizza night into something exciting and new. The familiar comfort of pizza meets the bold flavors of chicken tikka for a dish that will have everyone asking for seconds.
Easy & delicious: Don't let the fusion element intimidate you! This recipe uses straightforward techniques and ingredients you likely already have.
There are so many serving options: Serve these as an appetizer at your next dinner party, pack them in lunch boxes, enjoy them as a main course with a side salad, or make them for Iftar during Ramadan.

Ingredient notes

Pizza dough: While I love making my own dough, sometimes you want a quick recipe that requires little to no prep work! I used the pre-made Pillsbury pizza dough for this recipe, but any pre-made dough should work fine here.
Marinara: Since we're aiming for easy in this recipe, I used jarred marinara sauce. Rao's is my preferred brand, but feel free to use any jarred or homemade sauce for this recipe.
Chicken tikka: The star of this fusion dish! I use boneless chicken pieces marinated in traditional tikka spices and then air-fried. If you have leftover chicken tikka from another meal, this is the perfect way to repurpose it.
Mozarella: Pre-shredded cheese works well in this recipe, but if you want your cheese to be extra melty and flavorful, you can use fresh mozzarella!
Garlic paste: Using garlic paste adds depth to both the dough and the chicken tikka marinade.
Butter: Mixing the butter with the garlic paste leaves you with a delicious garlic butter to finish the rolls off with.
Black pepper: Black pepper adds a little kick to this pizza roll recipe. Adjust the amount of pepper according to your spice preference.
Spices: I make my own spice blend using salt, red chili powder, Kashmiri chili powder, cumin powder, coriander powder, turmeric powder, amchur powder, and beetroot powder.
Onions & garlic cloves: Adding onion and garlic to the marinara sauce helps enhance the flavors.
Vinegar: Adding vinegar to the marinara sauce also adds more depth to the flavor and gives it a slightly acidic taste in the best way!

Please see the recipe card at the bottom of this post for the complete list of ingredients, measurements, and recipe instructions.

Substitutions & variations

Use a different protein: If you're not a fan of chicken, you can use the same marinade but substitute the chicken for ground beef or mutton.
Make it vegetarian: Substitute the chicken for chickpeas or potatoes as your filling to make the meal vegetarian.
Add to the filling: This recipe is so customizable—add whatever veggies you have lying around in the fridge to the filling to make it a more hearty meal!
Use a different dough: Pillsbury is my preferred choice of pizza dough, but if your brand loyalty lies elsewhere, feel free to use any dough you'd like.
Sprinkle with parmesan: Adding parmesan to this pizza rolls recipe will create a nice, crunchy layer of cheese on top!
Add herbs to the butter: Elevate the flavors in your garlic butter by adding some herbs; parsley, basil, and oregano would all be great additions!

Step-by-step instructions

Pizza dough is basted with marinara sauce, topped with cheese and chicken tikka and rolled for a recipe.

Step 1: Roll out your pizza dough and spread your prepared marinara sauce on it.
Step 2: Spread your shredded chicken tikka on top of the marinara sauce.
Step 3: Sprinkle mozzarella cheese all over the chicken.
Step 4: Roll your dough lengthwise away from you, pinching at the ends to seal the filling.

Pizza rolls are being prepped, basted with garlic butter and baked.

Step 5: Using a sharp knife or dough scraper, cut your dough into 10 even pieces (about 1-11/2 inches in width).
Step 6: Place each roll on a baking sheet lined with parchment and glaze with the garlic butter you prepared earlier.
Step 7: Bake the pizza rolls at 400℉ for 15 minutes.
Step 8: Let cool for 5 minutes, then serve!

Step 9: Blend your marinara sauce with onion, garlic cloves, vinegar, and black pepper until you have a thick puree.
Step 10: Heat the sauce on the stove at medium heat for 5 minutes.
Step 11: Heat the cooking oil and temper the mustard seeds and red chili flakes for about 30 seconds to 1 minute.
Step 12: Pour the tempering over the heated marinara sauce, cover, and let it sit for 5 minutes. Stir to mix, plate, and serve with the pizza rolls!

Expert Tips

Sprinkle cornmeal on the baking sheet: This prevents sticking and adds a crunchy texture to the bottom of the rolls.
Don't overfill the rolls: It's tempting to pack in as much filling as possible, but overfilling can cause the rolls to burst during baking.
Chill before slicing: It'll be hard to resist, but let your rolls cool for 5-10 minutes to ensure they keep their shape when you cut them.
Use cheese to seal any cracks: If your rolled dough cracks a bit, don't worry! Shredded cheese can help seal those spots as it melts during baking.
Don't brush marinara to the edges: Leave about a 1-inch border around the edges of your dough without sauce. This helps create a better seal when rolling.

Recipe FAQS

Can I make these ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can prepare this pizza rolls recipe up to the point of baking, then refrigerate the rolls for up to 24 hours. When ready to serve, bake as directed!

How do I store the leftovers?

Cooled pizza rolls can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. For longer storage, freeze them in a single layer, then transfer them to a freezer bag once frozen. They'll keep for up to 2 months.

How do I reheat the pizza rolls?

For the best texture, reheat in a 350°F (175°C) oven for 10-12 minutes until warmed. Microwaving works in a pinch, but the dough may become slightly chewy. If reheating from frozen, add about 5 minutes to the oven time.