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.
Ingredients
Scale
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)
Instructions
- Prepare the pizza foundation by ensuring homemade or store-bought dough is fully thawed and at room temperature.
- Position oven rack in the middle and preheat to 475°F for 20 minutes, creating optimal heat distribution for crispy crust.
- Lightly coat baking sheet with olive oil and dust with cornmeal to prevent sticking and enhance bottom crispness.
- 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.
- Dock the dough surface with fingertips to prevent excessive air bubble formation during baking.
- Generously brush dough surface with olive oil, ensuring complete coverage for enhanced flavor and golden browning.
- Spread BBQ sauce evenly across the dough, leaving a small border around the edges for a classic pizza presentation.
- Distribute pre-cooked chicken pieces that have been tossed in additional BBQ sauce across the pizza surface.
- Sprinkle cheese blend and thinly sliced red onions uniformly to guarantee balanced flavor in every bite.
- Transfer pizza to preheated oven and bake for 14-15 minutes until crust turns golden brown and cheese melts completely.
- Remove from oven and garnish with fresh chopped cilantro for a vibrant, aromatic finish.
- 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