BBQ Chicken Pizza
This homemade BBQ Chicken Pizza will give your favorite restaurant version a run for its money. It’s smothered in sweet, tangy, smoky BBQ sauce, juicy seasoned chicken, tangy red onions, buttery mozzarella and the secret ingredient – precious smoky, Gouda cheese. The BBQ Chicken Pizza bakes and bubbles to gooey glory then is crowned with fresh, zesty cilantro. You simply can’t beat the intoxicating layers of flavor. You can go super simple and use store-bought BBQ sauce and store-bought pizza dough for a dinner that comes together in minutes or do a little prep ahead and use homemade BBQ Sauce and homemade pizza dough for an unbeatable thick-style pizza crust that also comes together in minutes – with just a little more prep 😉. No matter which culinary adventure you choose, you are going to love this BBQ Chicken Pizza made in the comfort of your own home!
Servings 8 slices (1 12-inch pizza)
Ingredients
CHICKEN
- 1 1/2 cups (12 oz.) UNCOOKED chicken breast chopped into bite size pieces
- 1 tsp EACH smoked paprika, chili powder
- 1/2 tsp EACH onion, powder, garlic powder, salt
- 1/4 teaspoon chipotle chili powder
PIZZA
- 1/2 recipe homemade pizza dough or store-bought
- 1/3 cup + 3 tablespoons homemade BBQ Sauce or your favorite store-bought BBQ sauce, divided
- 1 cup freshly shredded mozzarella cheese (low moisture)
- 1 cup shredded smoked Gouda cheese
- 1/4 small red onion thinly sliced
Garnish
- chopped fresh cilantro
Instructions
- DOUGH: Prepare homemade pizza dough according to directions. For both homemade and store-bought dough, brush the shaped dough lightly with olive oil (prevents it from becoming soggy), sprinkle lightly with garlic salt (don’t forget the edges) and poke several times with a fork.
- CHICKEN: Whisk together the chicken seasonings in a small bowl. While the chicken is still on the cutting board, pat it dry and sprinkle with seasonings, toss to evenly coat; set aside.
- Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a heavy bottom skillet over medium-high heat until hot and rippling. Add chicken and cook through. Remove from heat and stir in 3 tablespoons barbecue sauce.
- ASSEMBLE: Evenly spread 1/3 cup BBQ sauce over the top of the uncooked dough. Top evenly with cooked chicken followed by cheeses and red onions.
- BAKE: Bake at 475 degrees F for 12-15 minutes. Remove from the oven and garnish with cilantro, if desired. Slice with a pizza cutter and serve immediately.
Notes
HOW TO PREP AHEAD
The components of this BBQ Chicken Pizza can be completely made ahead so all that’s left to do at dinner time is assemble the pizza.- THE DOUGH: Let dough rise through the second rise, then tightly wrap each dough ball in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for up to 2 days or freeze for longer storage. When ready to use, unwrap the refrigerated dough and place it on floured surface, parchment paper or nonslip mat. Let the dough come to room temperature before rolling out, about 30-60 minutes while you preheat the pizza stone.
- THE BBQ SAUCE: Can be made ahead, cooled and stored for up to two weeks in the refrigerator or frozen for up to 3 months.
- THE CHICKEN: Can be cooked and coated in BBQ sauce then stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two days before assembling the pizza.
- RED ONIONS: Can be sliced and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 7 days.
HOW DO YOU REHEAT BBQ CHICKEN PIZZA?
To reheat pizza in the oven:
- Line a baking sheet with foil and preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
- Transfer pizza (slices) to the baking sheet and bake for 10 minutes or until heated through.
To reheat pizza on the stove:
- Add slices of pizza to skillet and cover partially with the lid.
- Heat over medium heat for 2-3 minutes until heated through.
To reheat pizza in the microwave:
- Microwave at 20 seconds intervals until heated through. Be aware that the crust will lose crunch in the microwave.