Ever tried making bbq chicken pizza at home and ended up with soggy crust or dry chicken? Yeah, me too. After tons of trial and error (and a few pizza disasters I’d rather forget), I finally nailed a bbq chicken pizza recipe that hits all the right notes – crispy crust, juicy chicken, tangy sauce, and that perfect cheese pull we all crave. The secret? It’s all about layering flavors and getting the right cooking technique. Trust me, this isn’t just another chicken pizza recipe – it’s a game-changer that’ll have everyone asking for seconds.
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Why You’ll Love This BBQ Chicken Pizza Recipe
Let’s be real – homemade pizza can be intimidating. But this bbq chicken pizza recipe takes the stress out of the equation. No fancy equipment needed (though if you’ve got a pizza stone, awesome).
I first made this for my brother’s birthday party last summer. He’s a total pizza snob who usually orders from that fancy brick oven place downtown. When he went back for a third slice, I knew I’d created something special. The best part? You can switch things up based on what you’ve got in the fridge. Extra veggies? Throw ’em on. Different cheese? Go for it. This bbq chicken bacon pizza variation has become our Friday night tradition, and I bet it’ll become yours too.
Ingredients You’ll Need
For the Crust:
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (bread flour works too for extra chewiness)
- 1 tsp instant yeast (quick-rise works in a pinch)
- 1 tsp sugar (helps with browning)
- 1 tsp salt (don’t skip this – it’s crucial for flavor)
- 1 cup warm water
- 2 tbsp olive oil (plus extra for coating)
The flour is the foundation here. If you want a healthier option, you can sub in up to 1/3 whole wheat flour, but more than that and you’ll end up with a denser crust.
For the Toppings:
- 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded (rotisserie chicken saves time)
- 1 cup BBQ sauce (divided – I like Sweet Baby Ray’s, but use your fave)
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1/2 cup red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup bacon, cooked and crumbled (optional but amazing)
- 1/3 cup cilantro, chopped
- 1/4 cup green onions, sliced
For the chicken, thighs give more flavor than breast, but either works. If you’re gluten-free, just swap in your favorite GF crust recipe or pre-made option. Vegetarian? Skip the chicken and bacon, and add some roasted chickpeas for protein.
How to Make the Best BBQ Chicken Pizza
Step 1: Prepare the Dough
- In a large bowl, mix flour, yeast, sugar, and salt.
- Add warm water and olive oil, stirring until a shaggy dough forms.
- Knead on a floured surface for 5-7 minutes until smooth and elastic. The dough should spring back when poked.
- Place in an oiled bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and let rise in a warm spot for 1 hour or until doubled in size.
Don’t rush this part! A slow rise = better flavor. No time? You can use store-bought dough, but homemade really takes this bbq chicken pizza recipe to the next level.
Step 2: Prep While Waiting
- Preheat oven to 475°F (as hot as possible). If using a pizza stone, put it in while preheating.
- Mix 1/2 cup BBQ sauce with the shredded chicken, ensuring it’s well coated but not drowning.
- Cook bacon if using, and slice veggies.
The key here is having everything ready to go. Once you start assembling, you want to work fast so the dough doesn’t get soggy.
Step 3: Assemble and Bake
- Punch down the risen dough and roll out on a floured surface to about 14 inches round. Don’t stress if it’s not perfectly circular!
- Transfer to a cornmeal-dusted pizza peel or parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Spread remaining 1/2 cup BBQ sauce evenly over the dough, leaving a 1-inch border.
- Sprinkle half the cheese over the sauce.
- Add BBQ chicken and distribute remaining toppings (red onion, bacon) evenly.
- Top with remaining cheese.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes, until crust is golden and cheese is bubbly and starting to brown in spots.
- Sprinkle with cilantro and green onions after removing from oven.
The pizza is done when the bottom is crispy and you can lift an edge to see it’s golden brown. Let it rest for 2-3 minutes before slicing – I know it’s hard to wait but this lets the cheese set up a bit.
Tasty Variations to Try
1. Hawaiian BBQ Chicken
Add pineapple chunks and swap the BBQ sauce for a pineapple BBQ blend. Controversial, I know, but don’t knock it till you try it.
2. Spicy Southwest
Add jalapeños, corn kernels, and black beans. Finish with a drizzle of lime crema after baking.
3. White BBQ Chicken Pizza
Use Alabama white BBQ sauce instead of traditional red, and add some pickled jalapeños for tang.
4. BBQ Chicken Bacon Ranch
Mix ranch seasoning into the dough, use ranch dressing as the base instead of BBQ sauce, then add the BBQ chicken and extra bacon on top.
5. Mediterranean BBQ
Add feta cheese, kalamata olives, and roasted red peppers to the standard bbq chicken pizza recipe for a Mediterranean twist.
6. Buffalo BBQ Mashup
Mix buffalo sauce with BBQ sauce for the chicken coating, then add blue cheese crumbles on top after baking.
BBQ Chicken Pizza
Equipment
- Mixing bowl
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Pizza stone or baking sheet
- Rolling Pin
- Pizza Cutter
Ingredients
For the Crust:
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour or bread flour
- 1 tsp instant yeast
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 cup warm water
- 2 tbsp olive oil plus extra for coating
For the Toppings:
- 2 cups cooked chicken shredded (rotisserie chicken recommended)
- 1 cup BBQ sauce divided
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese shredded
- 1/2 cup red onion thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup bacon cooked and crumbled (optional)
- 1/3 cup cilantro chopped
- 1/4 cup green onions sliced
Instructions
Prepare the Dough:
- In a large bowl, combine flour, yeast, sugar, and salt.
- Add warm water and olive oil, stirring until a rough dough forms.
- Knead for 5-7 minutes until smooth and elastic.
- Place dough in oiled bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm place for 1 hour until doubled in size.
Prep Toppings:
- Preheat oven to 475°F (245°C).
- Toss shredded chicken with 1/2 cup BBQ sauce.
- Slice onions and cook bacon if using.
Assemble the Pizza:
- Roll dough out to a 14-inch round.
- Transfer to a cornmeal-dusted pizza peel or parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Spread remaining BBQ sauce over the dough.
- Sprinkle half the cheese over the sauce.
- Add BBQ chicken, red onion, and bacon.
- Top with the remaining cheese.
Bake:
- Bake for 12-15 minutes until crust is golden and cheese is bubbly.
- Sprinkle with cilantro and green onions.
Notes
Store-bought dough works if you’re short on time.
Vegetarian option: skip chicken and bacon, add roasted chickpeas.
For gluten-free, use GF pizza dough.
Optional cheese blend: mozzarella + smoked gouda.
Can be grilled for extra smoky flavor.
Nutrition
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Absolutely! Make it up to 3 days ahead and keep it in the fridge. The slow fermentation actually improves flavor. Just bring to room temp about 30 minutes before using.
How do I prevent a soggy crust?
Two tricks: 1) Don’t overload with sauce, and 2) If you’re not using a pizza stone, prebake the crust for 3-4 minutes before adding toppings.
Can I freeze this pizza?
Yep! Either freeze the fully baked and cooled pizza (wrap slices individually), or freeze the assembled unbaked pizza. If cooking from frozen, add 3-4 minutes to the bake time.
What’s the best cheese to use?
Mozzarella is classic, but a mix is even better. Try 1 1/2 cups mozz with 1/2 cup of smoked gouda or monterey jack for extra flavor. Smoked cheeses work amazing with bbq chicken pizza!
Can I grill this pizza?
100% yes! Grilled bbq chicken pizza is amazing. Heat grill to medium-high, oil grates well, stretch dough and place directly on grates for 2-3 minutes until grill marks form, flip, add toppings to grilled side, close lid and cook 5-7 minutes until cheese melts.
What sides go well with BBQ chicken pizza?
A simple green salad with vinaigrette balances the richness perfectly. For a crowd, I like serving it with some garlic knots and a veggie platter.
The Perfect Bite Every Time
My family has a tradition of Sunday pizza nights that goes back years. When I first introduced this bbq chicken pizza, there was skepticism (especially from my dad, who’s a pepperoni purist). But after that first bite – silent appreciation, then demands for the recipe.
What makes this pizza special isn’t just the combo of sweet, tangy BBQ sauce with smoky chicken and creamy cheese – it’s how it brings people together. Something magical happens when you pull a homemade pizza from the oven and the room fills with that irresistible aroma.
So don’t just follow the recipe – make it your own. Add the toppings your family loves, adjust the sauce to your taste, and create your own pizza night tradition. Because the best bbq chicken pizza isn’t just about perfect ingredients – it’s about the memories you make while sharing it.