Sizzling Homemade BBQ Chicken Pizza Recipe for Tasty Nights

Crispy, golden crusts meet smoky flavors in this irresistible homemade BBQ chicken pizza that will make your taste buds dance.

Tender chicken pieces glazed with tangy barbecue sauce create a mouthwatering melody of savory goodness.

Each slice promises a perfect balance of melted cheese, caramelized onions, and succulent chicken.

The homemade pizza breaks free from boring takeout options with its vibrant, fresh ingredients.

Drizzled with extra BBQ sauce and sprinkled with fresh cilantro, this pizza transforms an ordinary dinner into a delectable feast.

Prepare to elevate your pizza night with this simple yet spectacular dish that comes together in less than 30 minutes.

Your dinner table awaits this delicious culinary adventure.

Homemade BBQ Chicken Pizza Major Hits

• Swap ingredients to match your taste preferences, making this pizza a versatile canvas for culinary creativity.
• Minimal prep and straightforward steps transform this recipe into a speedy meal solution for busy families.
• Combines classic BBQ flavors with pizza's universal appeal, guaranteeing smiles around the dinner table.
• Requires basic cooking skills, allowing home cooks of all levels to craft a restaurant-quality pizza without stress.

Ingredients for BBQ Chicken Pizza

• Pizza Dough: A foundational element that provides the perfect canvas for delicious toppings.
• Cornmeal: Helps create a crispy texture and prevents sticking to the baking sheet.
• Olive Oil: Adds flavor and helps achieve a golden, crispy crust.

• Chicken: The main protein that adds substantial flavor and texture to the pizza.
• BBQ Sauce: Provides a tangy, sweet, and smoky flavor profile that defines the pizza's character.

• Mozzarella Cheese, Cheddar Cheese: Melts beautifully to create a creamy and flavorful cheese layer.
• Red Onion: Adds a sharp, slightly pungent flavor and crisp texture to the pizza.
• Fresh Cilantro: Offers a bright, fresh garnish that complements the rich BBQ flavors.

BBQ Chicken Pizza Tools and Essentials

• Pizza Stone or Baking Sheet: Essential for creating a crispy, evenly baked crust.
• Rolling Pin: Perfect for shaping and flattening pizza dough to the right thickness.
• Pastry Brush: Great for spreading olive oil evenly across the dough surface.
• Large Mixing Bowl: Helpful for preparing and tossing chicken in BBQ sauce.
• Cutting Board: Useful for preparing ingredients and chopping cilantro.
• Sharp Knife: Needed for slicing red onions and cutting the finished pizza.
• Measuring Spoons: Precise for portioning olive oil and cornmeal.

Crafting BBQ Chicken Pizza at Home

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Crank up your oven to a blazing 475F (246C).

Let it heat up for about 15-20 minutes to create the perfect crispy pizza environment.

Grab a large baking sheet and give it a light coating of olive oil, then sprinkle some cornmeal for that extra crunch.

Step 2: Unleash the Dough

Whether you’ve made your own dough or grabbed a store-bought one, make sure it’s ready to rock.

If it’s frozen, let it thaw completely.

Dust your work surface with flour and get ready to transform that dough into pizza magic.

Gently punch down the dough to release any air bubbles, then stretch and shape it into a beautiful 12-inch circle.

Don’t forget to create a slightly raised edge to hold in all those delicious toppings.

Step 3: Create Your Flavor Masterpiece

Time to dress up your pizza!

Start by giving the dough a gentle massage with olive oil.

Then comes the star of the show – BBQ sauce.

Spread it generously across the surface.

• Shredded chicken
• Extra BBQ sauce
• Red onion slices

• Mozzarella
• Cheddar

Step 4: Bake to Perfection

Slide your pizza into the hot oven and let the magic happen.

Bake for 14-15 minutes until the crust turns a gorgeous golden brown and the cheese starts to bubble and dance.

For a final touch of freshness, scatter some chopped cilantro on top if you’re feeling fancy.

Step 5: Serve and Devour

Pull that beautiful creation out of the oven and get ready to enjoy.

Cut into slices and serve immediately while it’s hot and crispy.

Each bite promises a explosion of tangy BBQ, melted cheese, and perfectly cooked chicken.

BBQ Chicken Pizza Tips from the Pros

• Let homemade pizza dough rise in a warm, draft-free spot to ensure perfect texture and maximum flavor development.
• Precook chicken and pat dry to remove excess moisture, keeping the pizza base crisp and preventing unwanted sogginess.
• Mix mozzarella and cheddar for a more complex, gooey cheese layer that browns beautifully and adds rich flavor.
• Choose a balanced BBQ sauce – not too sweet or tangy – to complement the chicken without overpowering other ingredients.
• Preheat baking sheet or pizza stone to create instant heat transfer, resulting in a perfectly crispy bottom crust.

Creative Pizza Topping Combos

• Gluten-Free Pizza: Replace regular flour with a gluten-free blend, using cauliflower or almond flour crust for a low-carb alternative.
• Vegetarian BBQ Option: Swap chicken with grilled portobello mushrooms or barbecue-roasted tofu, maintaining the smoky flavor profile.
• Dairy-Free Version: Use vegan cheese alternatives like cashew or almond-based cheese, and replace regular cheese with plant-based mozzarella substitutes.
• Spicy Southwestern Remix: Add jalapeños, swap red onions for green onions, and incorporate pepper jack cheese for an extra kick of heat.

Pizza Served Up Hot and Fresh

• Pizza Party Platter: Create a fun pizza night spread by serving slices alongside crisp garden salad and tangy coleslaw for a complete meal.
• Dipping Delights: Prepare quick side sauces like ranch, garlic aioli, or extra BBQ sauce for guests who love dunking pizza slices.
• Beverage Pairing: Complement the pizza's smoky flavors with cold craft beer, zesty white wine, or refreshing iced tea for a perfect flavor match.
• Garnish Glow-Up: Sprinkle fresh chopped cilantro, green onions, or add a light drizzle of additional BBQ sauce right before serving to enhance visual appeal and taste.

Pizza Storage

• Wrap leftover pizza slices tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil. Store in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
• Place individual slices on a baking sheet, freeze until solid, then transfer to freezer-safe bags. Keeps well for 1-2 months with minimal flavor loss.
• Preheat oven to 375F. Place pizza slices on a baking sheet, cover loosely with foil to prevent drying. Warm for 10-12 minutes until cheese melts and crust crisps.

FAQs

• Can I use different types of BBQ sauce?

Yes, you can experiment with various BBQ sauce flavors like honey, spicy, or smoky to customize your pizza’s taste.

• What kind of chicken works best for this recipe?

Grilled, roasted, or rotisserie chicken are excellent choices. Shred or dice the chicken into bite-sized pieces for even distribution.

• Is it possible to make this pizza vegetarian?

Replace chicken with plant-based alternatives like grilled tofu, jackfruit, or roasted vegetables to create a vegetarian version.

• How do I prevent the pizza dough from becoming soggy?

Pre-bake the crust for 3-4 minutes before adding toppings, and avoid overloading with sauce or wet ingredients to maintain a crispy base.

Homemade BBQ Chicken Pizza Recipe

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4.6 from 38 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

BBQ chicken pizza blends smoky, sweet flavors for a delightful homemade meal. Crisp crust, tender chicken, and caramelized onions create a memorable dining experience you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

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Pizza Base:

• 1/2 recipe homemade pizza dough (or 1 pound / 454 grams store-bought pizza dough)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 tablespoon cornmeal

Cheese Toppings:

• 2/3 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 2/3 cup shredded smoked gouda cheese

Protein and Sauce Toppings:

• 1 cup chopped or shredded cooked chicken (about 8 ounces / 227 grams)
• 1/3 cup + 2 tablespoons barbecue sauce
• 1/2 small red onion, thinly sliced
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro (or basil)

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Instructions

1. Prepare the pizza foundation by ensuring homemade or store-bought dough is fully thawed and at room temperature.
2. Position oven rack in the middle and preheat to 475°F for 20 minutes, creating optimal heat distribution for crispy crust.
3. Lightly coat baking sheet with olive oil and dust with cornmeal to prevent sticking and enhance bottom crispness.
4. On a generously floured surface, gently stretch dough into a circular shape approximately 12 inches wide, maintaining an even thickness and creating a slightly raised outer rim.
5. Dock the dough surface with fingertips to prevent excessive air bubble formation during baking.
6. Generously brush dough surface with olive oil, ensuring complete coverage for enhanced flavor and golden browning.
7. Spread BBQ sauce evenly across the dough, leaving a small border around the edges for a classic pizza presentation.
8. Distribute pre-cooked chicken pieces that have been tossed in additional BBQ sauce across the pizza surface.
9. Sprinkle cheese blend and thinly sliced red onions uniformly to guarantee balanced flavor in every bite.
10. Transfer pizza to preheated oven and bake for 14-15 minutes until crust turns golden brown and cheese melts completely.
11. Remove from oven and garnish with fresh chopped cilantro for a vibrant, aromatic finish.
12. Slice immediately and serve hot for maximum flavor and texture enjoyment.

Notes

• Dough Flexibility: Experiment with whole wheat or gluten-free pizza dough for healthier alternatives without compromising taste.
• Temperature Precision: A preheated pizza stone ensures an extra crispy crust with perfect browning and even heat distribution.
• Moisture Management: Pat chicken dry before adding to prevent soggy pizza and ensure a crisp, well-textured base.
• Flavor Enhancement: Marinate chicken in BBQ sauce for 30 minutes before cooking to intensify the smoky, tangy profile of the pizza.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 400
• Sugar: 10g
• Sodium: 800mg
• Fat: 18g
• Saturated Fat: 7g
• Unsaturated Fat: 9g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 40g
• Fiber: 2g
• Protein: 25g
• Cholesterol: 70mg