You will love this simple BBQ chicken pizza recipe: soft, pillowy dough topped with a delicious blend of BBQ sauce, chicken, cheeses, red onion and optional cilantro. It’s an upgrade from plain cheese pizza.
This recipe originally appeared on August 3, 2017.
Pizza is my favorite food — is it yours? This BBQ chicken pizza combines a layer of your favorite BBQ sauce with shredded mozzarella and sharp cheddar, bite-sized cooked chicken, thinly sliced red onion and a sprinkle of cilantro if you like it. The cilantro is optional but adds a bright finish.
My partner and I have made homemade pizza for years, so pulling together a pie is second nature. You can use store-bought dough for convenience or make your own homemade dough for the best results.
What Toppings Are on Homemade BBQ Chicken Pizza?
The toppings are straightforward and easy to customize:
- Chicken – cooked and chopped. Chicken breast works well, or use leftover rotisserie chicken.
- Pizza dough – homemade or store-bought.
- Mozzarella cheese – shredded.
- Cheddar cheese – shredded; a mix of mozzarella and cheddar gives the best flavor and texture.
- BBQ sauce – use your favorite variety; it replaces tomato sauce as the base.
- Red onion – thinly sliced for flavor and color.
- Cilantro – optional; add after baking if you enjoy the fresh herb note.
How to Make Pizza Dough for BBQ Chicken Pizza
A basic homemade pizza dough takes about one hour from start to finish:
- Combine warm water with a pinch of sugar and active dry yeast and let it proof until foamy.
- Mix in flour, salt and olive oil and knead until a smooth dough forms.
- Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover with a towel and let rise until doubled. A slightly warm oven (turned off) helps speed the rise.
- This dough recipe yields two dough balls; use one and freeze the other for later if you like.
The result is a soft, puffy crust that holds the toppings beautifully.
Over the years we’ve tried many topping combinations, and BBQ chicken remains one of our family’s favorites. I usually sprinkle cilantro on the pizza after it comes out of the oven for a bright, fresh contrast to the rich BBQ flavors.
BBQ Chicken Pizza FAQ
A homemade BBQ chicken pizza can be healthier than many store-bought or chain options because you control the ingredients and portions.
Use BBQ sauce as the base instead of tomato sauce. Adjust the amount to taste.
Typical toppings are BBQ sauce, chopped cooked chicken, shredded mozzarella and cheddar, thinly sliced red onion and optional cilantro.
Basic Recipe Details
The Best Ever Homemade BBQ Chicken Pizza
Soft, pillowy dough topped with a flavorful mix of BBQ sauce, chicken, cheeses, red onion and cilantro.
Ingredients
- 1 chicken breast, seasoned, cooked and chopped into small cubes
- 1 ball of pizza dough (see notes for homemade dough)
- ½ cup shredded mozzarella
- ½ cup shredded extra-sharp cheddar
- 1 cup BBQ sauce
- ¼ red onion, thinly sliced
- Handful of chopped cilantro (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the chicken breast if not using precooked. Roast at 400°F (200°C) for about 20–25 minutes until cooked through, then chop into small pieces.
- Toss the chopped chicken with BBQ sauce to coat.
- Preheat the oven to 475°F (245°C) and place a pizza stone or baking sheet inside to heat.
- Stretch the dough into a round on a floured surface or pizza peel, then spread a layer of BBQ sauce over the base. Season lightly with salt and pepper.
- Sprinkle mozzarella and cheddar evenly over the sauce. Top with the BBQ-coated chicken and sliced red onion. Add a final pinch of salt and pepper if desired.
- Transfer the pizza to the hot stone or baking sheet and bake for about 10–12 minutes, until the crust is golden and the cheese is melted and bubbling.
- Remove from the oven and let rest a few minutes. Sprinkle chopped cilantro on top, if using, then slice and serve.
Notes
For the best crust, use a simple homemade pizza dough recipe or a high-quality store-bought dough. This dough yields two balls — freeze one for later if you like.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 8
Serving Size: 1 slice
Amount Per Serving:
Calories: 175
Total Fat: 7g
Saturated Fat: 4g
Cholesterol: 32mg
Sodium: 555mg
Carbohydrates: 17g
Protein: 10g
Nutritional values are estimates from online calculators.
If you enjoyed this recipe, try variations like adding bacon, swapping cheeses, or mixing a touch of ranch into the BBQ sauce for a different flavor profile.