Bbq Chicken Pizza Recipe
Savor the bold flavors of our BBQ Chicken Pizza, topped with tender grilled chicken smothered in smoky barbecue sauce. Fresh cilantro adds a bright, herbaceous finish that perfectly balances the rich, melted cheese and crispy crust. Each bite delivers a satisfying combination of tangy, savory, and fresh tastes, making it a standout choice for pizza lovers looking for something deliciously different.
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Ingredients
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Dough & assembly
Chicken & marinade
Sauce & cheese
Finishing
Method
Chicken & marinade
Prep and marinate
Pat the chicken breasts dry and cut into 1/2-inch thick strips or bite-sized pieces. In a bowl combine 3 tablespoons barbecue sauce, 1 teaspoon olive oil, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Toss the chicken in the mixture until evenly coated. Let marinate 15–30 minutes at room temperature (or up to 2 hours refrigerated).
Cook chicken
Heat a large skillet or grill pan over medium-high heat. Add a light coating of oil or nonstick spray. Cook the marinated chicken 3–4 minutes per side (depending on thickness) until cooked through and internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) and the exterior is slightly charred. Remove from heat and toss remaining 1 tablespoon barbecue sauce into the cooked chicken to glaze. Set aside to rest 5 minutes, then shred or chop into bite-sized pieces.
Dough & assembly
Preheat and prepare dough
Position an oven rack in the lower-middle third of the oven and preheat to 500°F (260°C) for at least 30 minutes. If using a pizza stone, place it in the oven to heat. Lightly dust a pizza peel or work surface with 2 tablespoons flour. Stretch or roll the 12" pizza dough into a 12-inch round, leaving a slightly thicker edge for the crust. Transfer to a lightly floured pizza peel or parchment paper for easy transfer.
Sauce and cheese
Spread 3/4 cup barbecue sauce evenly over the stretched dough, leaving a 1/2-inch border for the crust. Sprinkle 2 cups shredded mozzarella evenly over the sauce, then scatter 1/2 cup shredded sharp cheddar on top. Distribute the cooked, chopped BBQ chicken evenly across the cheese and tuck thinly sliced 1/4 cup red onion among the chicken pieces.
Bake
If using a baking sheet, place the assembled pizza on a parchment-lined sheet. If using a pizza stone, slide the pizza (on the peel or parchment) onto the hot stone. Bake at 500°F (260°C) for 8–12 minutes, rotating once halfway through, until the crust is golden and cheese is bubbly and slightly browned.
Finish
Remove the pizza from the oven. Brush the crust lightly with 1 tablespoon olive oil for shine and flavor. Sprinkle 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro evenly over the pizza. If desired, add 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes for heat. Let the pizza rest 2–3 minutes, then slice into 8 slices and serve.