BBQ Chicken Pizza Recipe

Master this homemade BBQ Chicken Pizza recipe for the perfect balance of sweet, tangy, and savory flavors. Easy-to-follow steps for creating restaurant-quality pizza at home with a chewy homemade crust, smoky BBQ sauce, juicy chicken, and melted cheese. The best weekend baking project for pizza lovers!
Difficulty:
Intermediate
Prep Time:
1 hour 30 mins
Cook Time:
12 mins
Serves:
1 pizza (8 slices)
An overhead shot of a rustic, round BBQ chicken pizza with a visible hand-stretched crust that's golden-brown and slightly charred at the edges. The surface showcases glistening chunks of barbecue-glazed chicken, vibrant red onion rings, scattered cilantro leaves, and strands of melted mozzarella stretching as one slice is being pulled away. Captured in warm natural light on a weathered wooden pizza peel, with a small bowl of extra BBQ sauce and a sprinkle of red pepper flakes visible in the corner. Fine wisps of steam suggest the pizza has just emerged from the oven, with the caramelized BBQ sauce creating appetizing dark amber highlights across the surface.

Ingredients

<ul class="ingredients-main-list"><li class="ingredients-single-item">For the dough:</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">300g strong bread flour</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">7g instant yeast (1 sachet)</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">1 tsp salt</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">1 tbsp olive oil</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">200ml warm water</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">For the toppings:</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">150g cooked chicken breast, shredded</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">100g BBQ sauce (plus extra for drizzling)</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">150g mozzarella cheese, grated</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">50g red onion, thinly sliced</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">20g fresh cilantro (coriander), chopped</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">2 tbsp olive oil (for brushing)</li></ul>

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

🍽️ Serving Size:
🔥 Calories:
🥑 Fat:
🧈 Saturated Fat:
🍞 Carbohydrates:
🍭 Sugar:
🍗 Protein:
🫀 Cholesterol:
🧂 Sodium:

Equipment

<ul class="equipment-main-list"><li class="equipment-single-item">Pizza stone or baking sheet</li><li class="equipment-single-item">Rolling pin</li><li class="equipment-single-item">Pizza peel (optional)</li><li class="equipment-single-item">Dough scraper</li></ul>

Directions

<ol class="no-list-style"><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 1</h4>In a large mixing bowl, combine the bread flour, instant yeast, and salt, keeping the salt and yeast on opposite sides of the bowl (salt can inhibit yeast activity if in direct contact). Create a well in the center.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 2</h4>Pour the warm water and olive oil into the well. Using your fingers or a wooden spoon, gradually incorporate the flour into the liquid, working from the center outward until a shaggy dough forms.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 3</h4>Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic. The dough should spring back when lightly pressed and feel soft but not sticky. This kneading develops the gluten structure that gives pizza crust its chewy texture.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 4</h4>Form the dough into a ball and place in an oiled bowl, turning once to coat. Cover with a damp cloth or plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place for about 1 hour or until doubled in size. This slow fermentation develops flavor in your crust.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 5</h4>While the dough rises, preheat your oven to its highest setting (usually 240-250°C/465-480°F). If using a pizza stone, place it in the oven now to heat up thoroughly. The intense heat will help create a crisp bottom crust.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 6</h4>In a small bowl, mix the shredded chicken with 3 tablespoons of BBQ sauce until well coated. The acidity in the sauce helps tenderize the meat further while adding flavor.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 7</h4>Once the dough has doubled, gently punch it down to release air bubbles. Turn onto a lightly floured surface and stretch or roll into a 30cm circle. If the dough keeps springing back, let it rest for 5 minutes to relax the gluten before continuing.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 8</h4>Transfer the dough to a pizza peel or inverted baking sheet dusted with flour. Brush the edge with olive oil to promote browning, then spread the remaining BBQ sauce evenly across the base, leaving a 2cm border for the crust.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 9</h4>Sprinkle half the mozzarella over the sauce, then distribute the BBQ chicken and red onion slices. Add the remaining cheese on top. The double layer of cheese helps prevent the toppings from drying out and creates those beautiful cheese pulls.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 10</h4>Carefully slide the pizza onto the preheated stone or baking sheet. Bake for 10-12 minutes until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is bubbling and beginning to brown in spots.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 11</h4>Remove from the oven and immediately drizzle with a little extra BBQ sauce for visual appeal and an extra punch of flavor. Sprinkle with fresh chopped cilantro.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 12</h4>Let the pizza rest for 1-2 minutes before slicing. This brief rest allows the cheese to set slightly, making slicing easier and preventing toppings from sliding off. Serve hot and enjoy your homemade BBQ chicken pizza!</li></ol>

FAQs

Find answers to your most pressing questions about this delicious recipe right here.

What ingredients are used in BBQ Chicken Pizza?

BBQ Chicken Pizza requires strong bread flour, instant yeast, salt, olive oil, water, cooked chicken breast, BBQ sauce, mozzarella cheese, red onion, and fresh cilantro. These ingredients create the perfect balance of sweet, smoky, and savoury flavours on a homemade pizza crust.

How to cook BBQ Chicken Pizza at home?

Learn how to cook BBQ Chicken Pizza by making a homemade dough, letting it rise for an hour, then rolling it out and topping with BBQ sauce, cooked chicken, red onions, and mozzarella. Bake in a very hot oven (240-250°C) for 10-12 minutes until the crust is golden and the cheese is bubbling. Finish with fresh cilantro and a final BBQ sauce drizzle.

Can I use a ready-made pizza base instead of making dough from scratch?

Yes, you can substitute ready-made pizza bases to save time. While homemade dough offers superior flavour and texture, good-quality shop-bought bases work well for quick weeknight dinners. Just add your BBQ chicken toppings and reduce the baking time by 2-3 minutes as you're only cooking the toppings.

What's the best cheese to use for BBQ style pizzas?

Mozzarella is the gold standard for its superior meltability and mild flavour that complements BBQ sauce. For extra flavour, consider adding a small amount of smoked cheese, cheddar or Monterey Jack. Aim for cheese that melts well and isn't too overpowering to balance with the bold BBQ flavours.

How can I get a restaurant-quality crispy crust without a pizza stone?

Preheat a heavy baking sheet or cast iron pan in your oven at maximum temperature (240-250°C). A preheated surface creates the initial heat shock needed for a crispy bottom. You can also par-bake the crust for 3-4 minutes before adding toppings, and ensure your dough isn't too thick in the centre.

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My whole family requested this as our new Friday night tradition.", "name": "Sweet and Savory Perfection", "reviewRating": { "@type": "Rating", "ratingValue": "5" } }, { "@type": "Review", "author": "Liam O'Connor", "datePublished": "2024-06-30", "reviewBody": "Better than delivery, worth every minute of effort! The dough recipe is foolproof - I've never had success with homemade pizza until now. The combination of chicken and BBQ sauce is absolutely divine.", "name": "Restaurant Quality at Home", "reviewRating": { "@type": "Rating", "ratingValue": "5" } }, { "@type": "Review", "author": "Aisha Patel", "datePublished": "2024-06-22", "reviewBody": "My picky eaters requested seconds! I was shocked when they devoured the whole pizza in minutes. The cilantro adds that perfect fresh note to balance the rich BBQ sauce. Will definitely make again!", "name": "Kid-Approved Winner", "reviewRating": { "@type": "Rating", "ratingValue": "5" } }, { "@type": "Review", "author": "Marcus Chen", "datePublished": "2024-07-01", "reviewBody": "Impressed my guests with homemade pizza night! The dough has the perfect chewy texture, and the BBQ chicken topping was a crowd-pleaser. I added a bit of smoked gouda alongside the mozzarella for extra flavor.", "name": "Entertaining Success", "reviewRating": { "@type": "Rating", "ratingValue": "5" } }, { "@type": "Review", "author": "Elena Kuznetsova", "datePublished": "2024-06-25", "reviewBody": "Great way to use leftover grilled chicken! I invested in a pizza stone as recommended and it made the crust perfectly crispy on the bottom. The step-by-step instructions were easy to follow even for a beginner baker like me.", "name": "Crispy Perfection", "reviewRating": { "@type": "Rating", "ratingValue": "5" } } ] }
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