BBQ Chicken Pizza Delight – Homemade Pizza Recipe

Get ready to fall in love with this BBQ Chicken Pizza Delight, a perfect fusion of smoky barbecue flavors and classic pizza comfort that’s guaranteed to become your new Friday night favorite. This incredible pizza features tender, seasoned chicken pieces smothered in tangy barbecue sauce, melted mozzarella and sharp cheddar cheeses, sweet red onions, and fresh cilantro all piled high on a golden, crispy crust. The combination of sweet, smoky, and savory flavors creates an irresistible taste experience that rivals any pizzeria. Whether you’re hosting a casual dinner party, looking for a fun family meal, or simply craving something more exciting than plain pepperoni, this BBQ chicken pizza delivers restaurant-quality results right from your own kitchen with ingredients you can easily find at the grocery store.

BBQ Chicken Pizza Delight

Ingredients:

• 1 lb (450g) pizza dough, room temperature
• 1 tablespoon olive oil for brushing

For the BBQ Chicken:

• 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1 lb/450g)
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 tablespoons olive oil

For the Pizza Toppings:

• 1/3 cup (80ml) barbecue sauce, divided
• 1 1/2 cups (150g) shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup (50g) sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
• 1/2 medium red onion, thinly sliced
• 1/4 cup fresh cilantro leaves
• 2 tablespoons additional barbecue sauce for drizzling

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Chicken Season chicken breasts with garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook chicken for 6-7 minutes per side until internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Let cool, then dice into bite-sized pieces.

Step 2: Preheat and Prep Preheat your oven to 475°F (245°C). If using a pizza stone, place it in the oven while preheating. Lightly flour your work surface and roll out the pizza dough to fit a 12-inch pizza pan or baking sheet.

Step 3: Assemble the Base Transfer dough to your prepared pan. Brush the edges with olive oil for extra golden color. Spread 1/3 cup barbecue sauce evenly over the dough, leaving a 1-inch border for the crust.

Step 4: Add Toppings Sprinkle half the mozzarella cheese over the sauce, then distribute the diced BBQ chicken evenly. Add the sliced red onions, then top with remaining mozzarella and all the cheddar cheese.

Step 5: Bake to Perfection Bake for 12-15 minutes until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is bubbly and lightly browned in spots. Remove from oven and immediately top with fresh cilantro leaves and drizzle with the remaining barbecue sauce.

Cooking Notes

For the juiciest chicken, don’t overcook it since it will continue cooking in the oven. You can also use rotisserie chicken for convenience—just shred about 2 cups and toss with a little barbecue sauce. Sweet Baby Ray’s or your favorite tangy barbecue sauce works perfectly here. If you prefer a smokier flavor, add a pinch of smoked paprika to the chicken seasoning. For a crispier crust, pre-bake the dough for 5 minutes before adding toppings. Store leftover pizza in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheat in a 350°F oven for best results. The pizza can also be assembled ahead of time and frozen before baking—just add 5-7 extra minutes to the cooking time.

FAQs

Q: Can I use store-bought rotisserie chicken instead? A: Absolutely! Use about 2 cups of shredded rotisserie chicken and toss it with 2-3 tablespoons of barbecue sauce before adding to the pizza. This saves time and adds great flavor.

Q: What’s the best barbecue sauce to use? A: Any barbecue sauce you enjoy will work, but slightly sweeter sauces like Sweet Baby Ray’s or honey barbecue complement the other flavors beautifully. Avoid overly spicy sauces that might overpower the other ingredients.

Q: Can I make the dough from scratch? A: Definitely! A basic pizza dough takes about 2 hours total (including rise time), but store-bought dough works perfectly and saves significant time. Look for dough in the refrigerated section or ask your local pizzeria if they sell dough.

Keto/Low-Carb Version

For a keto-friendly BBQ chicken pizza, replace the traditional dough with a cauliflower crust or fathead dough made from mozzarella and almond flour. Use a sugar-free barbecue sauce (there are several good options available) and keep all other toppings the same. You might want to add some diced bell peppers for extra crunch and nutrition. The chicken and cheese provide plenty of protein and fat to keep you satisfied.

Final Thoughts

This BBQ Chicken Pizza Delight proves that homemade pizza night doesn’t have to be complicated to be absolutely delicious. The combination of smoky barbecue flavors with gooey melted cheese and fresh cilantro creates a pizza that’s both familiar and exciting. It’s the kind of recipe that makes weeknight dinners feel special and turns you into the hero of family pizza night. Once you try this crowd-pleasing combination, you might find yourself making it on repeat—and trust me, no one will complain about that!