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BBQ Chicken Pizza
BBQ Chicken Pizza brings together the smoky sweetness of barbecue sauce with tender chicken and melted cheese on a perfectly crispy crust. This crowd-pleasing recipe transforms your kitchen into a pizzeria, delivering restaurant-quality results that will have everyone asking for seconds. The combination of tangy barbecue sauce, juicy chicken, and gooey cheese creates an irresistible flavor profile that’s both familiar and exciting.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Quick and easy preparation that takes less than 30 minutes from start to finish
- Perfect balance of sweet barbecue sauce with savory chicken and cheese
- Customizable toppings that let you adjust flavors to your family’s preferences
- Great way to use leftover cooked chicken for a delicious weeknight dinner
- Kid-friendly recipe that brings the whole family together around the dinner table
Why This BBQ Chicken Pizza Recipe Works
This BBQ Chicken Pizza recipe succeeds because it balances flavors and textures perfectly. The homemade or store-bought dough provides a sturdy foundation that crisps beautifully in a hot oven. Pre-cooking the chicken ensures it stays tender while developing those essential barbecue flavors.
The combination of mozzarella and smoked gouda creates the ideal cheese blend. Mozzarella provides that classic pizza stretch, while smoked gouda adds depth and complexity. The red onion cuts through the richness with its sharp bite, and fresh cilantro brightens the entire dish.
What You’ll Need for Perfect BBQ Chicken Pizza
Success starts with having the right ingredients and tools ready. Quality ingredients make a noticeable difference in the final result, so choose your barbecue sauce and cheese thoughtfully. Fresh ingredients will always deliver better flavor than their processed counterparts.
Ingredients
- 1/2 recipe homemade pizza dough (or 1 lb. store-bought pizza dough)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil, divided
- 1 tablespoon cornmeal
- 1/3 cup + 2 tablespoons barbecue sauce
- 1 cup chopped or shredded cooked chicken (about one 8-ounce breast)
- 2/3 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 2/3 cup shredded smoked gouda cheese
- 1/2 small red onion, thinly sliced
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro for topping
Tools
- Large baking sheet or pizza pan
- Rolling pin (optional)
- Pizza stone (optional but recommended)
- Baker’s peel (if using pizza stone)
- Clean kitchen towels
- Sharp knife for slicing
How to Make BBQ Chicken Pizza
Creating the perfect BBQ Chicken Pizza requires attention to timing and technique. Start by preparing your workspace and gathering all ingredients before beginning the assembly process.
| Step 1: Prepare Dough | Prepare pizza dough through step 3, or ensure store-bought frozen dough is completely thawed before use. |
| Step 2: Preheat Oven | Preheat oven to 475°F (246°C) for 15-20 minutes. If using pizza stone, place it in oven during preheating. Grease baking sheet with 1/2 tablespoon olive oil and sprinkle with cornmeal. |
| Step 3: Shape Dough | Punch down dough to release air bubbles. Divide in half, freezing one portion for later. On floured surface, flatten dough into disc, then stretch into 12-inch circle. Create raised edges by pinching up the rim. |
| Step 4: Add Toppings | Push dents into dough surface to prevent bubbling. Brush with remaining olive oil. Spread 1/3 cup barbecue sauce evenly. Toss chicken with remaining sauce, then distribute over pizza. Top with cheeses and red onion. |
| Step 5: Bake | Bake for 14-15 minutes until crust turns golden brown. Remove from oven and sprinkle with fresh cilantro. |
| Step 6: Serve | Slice hot pizza and serve immediately. Store leftovers covered in refrigerator for up to 5 days. |
Chef's Helpful Tips
- Let dough come to room temperature before shaping for easier handling and better texture
- Don’t overload with toppings as this can make the crust soggy and difficult to cook evenly
- Brush olive oil on the crust edges for extra golden color and flavor development
- Use a pizza stone preheated in the oven for the crispiest possible crust results
- Let the finished pizza rest for 2-3 minutes before slicing to prevent cheese from sliding off
Serving and Storage Tips for BBQ Chicken Pizza
Proper serving and storage ensure your BBQ Chicken Pizza tastes amazing every time. Temperature and timing play crucial roles in maintaining the perfect texture and flavor balance.
Serving Tips
Serve your BBQ Chicken Pizza immediately while the cheese is still melty and the crust maintains its crispiness. Cut into 8 slices for individual portions, or smaller squares for appetizer-style serving. Pair with a fresh green salad or coleslaw to balance the rich flavors.
For entertaining, consider making multiple pizzas with different topping combinations. This Ultimate Chicken Casserole makes an excellent side dish for pizza nights.
Store leftover pizza in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Reheat in a 350°F oven for 5-7 minutes to restore crispiness, or use a skillet over medium heat for 2-3 minutes per side.
Mistakes to Avoid while making BBQ Chicken Pizza
Avoiding common pitfalls ensures your BBQ Chicken Pizza turns out perfectly every time. These mistakes can affect both texture and flavor, so pay attention to these key points.
Don’t skip preheating your oven thoroughly. A properly heated oven creates the initial blast of heat needed for a crispy crust. Rushing this step results in soggy, undercooked pizza bottoms.
Avoid using too much sauce, which makes the crust soggy and overwhelms other flavors. The sauce should complement, not dominate, the other ingredients. Similarly, overloading with toppings prevents proper cooking and creates a messy eating experience.
Never place cold toppings directly from the refrigerator onto your pizza. Let ingredients come closer to room temperature for even cooking. This technique also works well in other recipes like this Creamy Garlic Shrimp Pasta.
You Must Know
- Always preheat your oven for at least 15-20 minutes to ensure proper crust development and even cooking
- Use cooked chicken only, as raw chicken won’t cook through properly in the short pizza baking time
- Don’t roll the dough too thin or it will tear and won’t support the toppings adequately
- Let the pizza rest briefly after baking to allow cheese to set and prevent topping slide-off when slicing
Suggestions for BBQ Chicken Pizza
Customize your BBQ Chicken Pizza with creative variations that suit different tastes and dietary preferences. These suggestions help you explore new flavor combinations while maintaining the classic appeal.
Try different barbecue sauce varieties like honey barbecue, spicy chipotle, or tangy Carolina-style sauce. Each brings unique flavor profiles that transform the entire pizza experience. For heat lovers, add sliced jalapeños or red pepper flakes.
Experiment with cheese combinations beyond mozzarella and gouda. Sharp cheddar, pepper jack, or even cream cheese create different flavor profiles. Vegetable additions like bell peppers, mushrooms, or pineapple add color and nutrition.
Consider protein alternatives like pulled pork, turkey, or even plant-based chicken substitutes. These options cater to different dietary needs while maintaining the essential barbecue pizza concept. Check out AllRecipes’ BBQ Chicken Pizza for additional inspiration.
For special occasions, try NYT Cooking’s BBQ Chicken Pizza variation with gourmet touches. You might also enjoy this Keto Cloud Cake for a light dessert afterward.
FAQs:
Yes, rotisserie chicken works perfectly for this recipe. Remove the skin and shred or chop the meat into bite-sized pieces. The pre-cooked nature and seasoning of rotisserie chicken actually enhances the overall flavor of your pizza.
Prevent soggy crust by not over-saucing, preheating your oven properly, and using a pizza stone if possible. Also, make sure your chicken isn’t too wet when adding it to the pizza, and avoid overloading with toppings.
You can prepare the dough and toppings ahead of time, but assemble and bake the pizza fresh for best results. Pre-assembled pizzas can become soggy. However, you can par-bake the crust for 5 minutes, then add toppings and finish baking later.
Reheat pizza in a 350°F oven for 5-7 minutes to restore crispiness. Alternatively, use a skillet over medium heat for 2-3 minutes per side. Avoid microwaving as it makes the crust chewy and soggy.
Yes, you can freeze both unbaked and baked pizza. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil. Frozen baked pizza keeps for up to 3 months. Bake frozen pizza directly from freezer, adding 5-10 minutes to cooking time.
Conclusion
BBQ Chicken Pizza combines the best of comfort food flavors in one delicious package. This recipe delivers restaurant-quality results with simple techniques and readily available ingredients. The smoky barbecue sauce, tender chicken, and melted cheese create a satisfying meal that pleases both kids and adults.
Whether you’re hosting a casual dinner party or looking for a fun family meal, this BBQ Chicken Pizza recipe provides the perfect solution. The customizable nature means you can adapt it to different tastes and dietary preferences while maintaining the core appeal that makes this pizza so beloved.
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- 30-Minute Low Carb Pizza Bowls Without the Crust
- Strawberry Jello Cake with Mousse Glaze
- Old-Fashioned Rhubarb Pie
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📖 Recipe Card
Easy BBQ Chicken Pizza Recipe
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 8 slices 1x
Description
Homemade BBQ Chicken Pizza with smoky barbecue sauce, tender chicken, and melted cheese on a perfectly crispy crust.
Ingredients
- 1/2 recipe homemade pizza dough (or 1 lb. store-bought pizza dough)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil, divided
- 1 tablespoon cornmeal
- 1/3 cup + 2 tablespoons barbecue sauce
- 1 cup chopped or shredded cooked chicken (about one 8-ounce breast)
- 2/3 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 2/3 cup shredded smoked gouda cheese
- 1/2 small red onion, thinly sliced
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro for topping
Instructions
- Prepare pizza dough through step 3, or ensure store-bought frozen dough is completely thawed before use.
- Preheat oven to 475°F (246°C) for 15-20 minutes. If using pizza stone, place it in oven during preheating. Grease baking sheet with 1/2 tablespoon olive oil and sprinkle with cornmeal.
- Punch down dough to release air bubbles. Divide in half, freezing one portion for later. On floured surface, flatten dough into disc, then stretch into 12-inch circle. Create raised edges by pinching up the rim.
- Push dents into dough surface to prevent bubbling. Brush with remaining olive oil. Spread 1/3 cup barbecue sauce evenly. Toss chicken with remaining sauce, then distribute over pizza. Top with cheeses and red onion.
- Bake for 14-15 minutes until crust turns golden brown. Remove from oven and sprinkle with fresh cilantro.
- Slice hot pizza and serve immediately. Store leftovers covered in refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Notes
- Let dough come to room temperature before shaping for easier handling and better texture
- Don’t overload with toppings as this can make the crust soggy and difficult to cook evenly
- Brush olive oil on the crust edges for extra golden color and flavor development
- Use a pizza stone preheated in the oven for the crispiest possible crust results
- Let the finished pizza rest for 2-3 minutes before slicing to prevent cheese from sliding off
- Always preheat your oven for at least 15-20 minutes to ensure proper crust development and even cooking
- Use cooked chicken only, as raw chicken won’t cook through properly in the short pizza baking time
- Don’t roll the dough too thin or it will tear and won’t support the toppings adequately
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
Keywords: homemade pizza recipe, barbecue chicken pizza, easy dinner ideas, chicken pizza toppings, pizza dough recipe, weeknight meals, family dinner recipes, comfort food pizza
