There’s just something magical about sitting down with the family to a hot, bubbling pizza fresh from your own oven, especially when it’s BBQ Chicken Pizza: A Quick Family Favorite. This pie delivers everything—juicy chicken, smoky-sweet BBQ sauce, melty cheese, and a hint of freshness from cilantro. It’s perfect for busy weeknights, casual game days, or when you simply want to treat everyone to a delicious, satisfying meal with minimal effort. If you love craveable combinations and hands-on cooking without stress, you’ll adore this hit!
Ingredients You’ll Need
Each ingredient in BBQ Chicken Pizza: A Quick Family Favorite plays a starring role. From the comforting dough to tangy sauce and gooey cheese, every element is essential for creating that irresistible flavor and perfect bite. Don’t skip on any of these—they truly work together to elevate your homemade pizza game!
- Pizza dough (1 pound): Choose your favorite ready-made dough or homemade for a classic crisp and chewy base that holds all the delicious toppings.
- BBQ sauce (1/2 cup, plus extra): This is the flavor backbone; use a smoky, sweet, or spicy variety to suit your mood, and keep a little extra for drizzling on top.
- Cooked chicken breast (1 cup, shredded or chopped): Rotisserie chicken saves loads of prep time, but any cooked chicken works for a hearty, protein-rich topping.
- Shredded mozzarella cheese (1 cup): Brings the wonderful stretch and mild flavor that we all crave in pizza.
- Shredded smoked gouda or cheddar cheese (1/2 cup): Adds a punch of smoky richness for depth and extra gooeyness.
- Red onion (1/4, thinly sliced): Provides sweet, mild crunch and a gorgeous color contrast after baking.
- Olive oil (1 tablespoon): Prevents the dough from drying and helps the crust bake up beautifully golden.
- Chopped fresh cilantro (2 tablespoons, for garnish): The bold, herbal finish brightens up all the savory and smoky flavors.
- Cornmeal or flour (for dusting): A quick dusting keeps your pizza from sticking, making it easy to transfer and bake with confidence.
How to Make BBQ Chicken Pizza: A Quick Family Favorite
Step 1: Preheat and Prep Your Pizza Stone or Sheet
Start by cranking up your oven to 475°F (245°C) and letting your pizza stone or baking sheet get nice and hot inside. This step is crucial—preheating ensures a seriously crisp, restaurant-style crust that holds up to all the toppings. If you’re using a stone, it takes a few extra minutes to get sizzling, but it’s absolutely worth it!
Step 2: Shape the Dough
Sprinkle a clean surface (or parchment if you’re using it) with flour or cornmeal. Place your dough down and gently roll or stretch it to your preferred thickness, whether you love a fluffy edge or a thinner, crispier pie. Remember, it doesn’t have to be perfectly round—every shape is welcome here!
Step 3: Add Olive Oil and Sauce
Brush a little olive oil across the stretched dough—that’s your secret weapon for golden color and flavor. Next, spread on a generous layer of BBQ sauce, all the way to the edge for maximum flavor in each bite. The sweet, tangy notes start building the signature taste of BBQ Chicken Pizza: A Quick Family Favorite right here.
Step 4: Lay Down the Toppings
Distribute your shredded or chopped chicken evenly, and then scatter the mozzarella and smoked gouda or cheddar over the top. Drop on the thin red onion slices for a gorgeous pop of color and crunch. Layering like this helps every topping shine through—no skimping allowed!
Step 5: Bake to Melty Perfection
Carefully transfer your loaded pizza onto the blazing hot baking stone or sheet. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, keeping an eye on it—when the cheese is bubbling and just starting to brown, and the crust looks golden, you’re good to go. The whole kitchen will smell absolutely incredible by this point!
Step 6: Finish with Freshness and Serve
Give your creation just a moment to rest (about two minutes), then add a generous sprinkle of chopped cilantro and, if you like, another quick drizzle of BBQ sauce. That final touch takes all the flavors over the top. Slice it up and get ready for a moment of ooey-gooey, smoky bliss!
How to Serve BBQ Chicken Pizza: A Quick Family Favorite
Garnishes
Fresh cilantro is classic, but don’t be afraid to get playful! A scatter of sliced jalapeños for heat, or even a handful of thinly sliced scallions, can give your BBQ Chicken Pizza: A Quick Family Favorite a new twist. That extra drizzle of BBQ sauce is a must for more boldness, and a touch of cracked black pepper never hurts.
Side Dishes
This pizza loves some crisp sides—a bright green salad makes for a refreshing contrast, or set out a bowl of crunchy carrot and celery sticks. For a heartier meal, serve with roasted potatoes or a homemade slaw. Everyone will rave about how well the flavors pair together!
Creative Ways to Present
Hosting a group? Cut your BBQ Chicken Pizza: A Quick Family Favorite into small squares for an appetizer platter, or make individual minis on naan for a build-your-own pizza night. Add colorful napkins and let everyone garnish their own slice—kids especially love this hands-on approach!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have extra pizza, let it cool completely before storing slices in an airtight container or wrapping tightly in foil. It keeps well in the refrigerator for up to three days, and the flavors meld beautifully overnight—even for breakfast!
Freezing
You can freeze slices or whole pies after baking; just let them cool, then wrap well and freeze for up to two months. For best results, thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating so the crust stays crisp and the cheese melty.
Reheating
To restore that fresh-from-the-oven taste, reheat slices in a 375°F oven directly on the rack or on a hot baking sheet for 8 to 10 minutes. Avoid the microwave, if you can—though it works in a pinch—since the oven keeps the crust from turning soggy.
FAQs
Can I use store-bought rotisserie chicken?
Absolutely! Store-bought rotisserie chicken is a timesaving hero for BBQ Chicken Pizza: A Quick Family Favorite. Just shred or chop and you’re ready to go—delicious results every time.
What kind of BBQ sauce is best?
You really can’t go wrong—sweet, smoky, spicy, or a blend all work beautifully. Pick a BBQ sauce your family loves, or mix up your own for a personal touch. The sauce will define the pizza’s flavor, so have fun exploring different options!
Can I make this recipe gluten-free?
Yes, simply substitute your favorite store-bought or homemade gluten-free pizza dough. All the other ingredients for BBQ Chicken Pizza: A Quick Family Favorite are naturally gluten-free, so everyone can dig in.
Is it possible to make this pizza ahead?
Definitely! You can prep all your toppings in advance and store them separately. Assemble the pizza right before baking for the freshest results, but you can also parbake the crust and freeze it if you want to get a head start for busy evenings.
What’s the best cheese substitute if I don’t have gouda or cheddar?
If you don’t have gouda or cheddar, try Monterey Jack, fontina, or even provolone for a melty texture and robust flavor. Don’t be afraid to experiment with cheese blends to make your BBQ Chicken Pizza: A Quick Family Favorite your own!
Final Thoughts
Life’s better when pizza night is simple, fast, and utterly delicious, and this BBQ Chicken Pizza: A Quick Family Favorite never disappoints. Gather your favorite people, let everyone get involved, and watch smiles grow around the table. Don’t wait—try this recipe soon and savor a guaranteed crowd-pleaser you’ll make again and again!
Print
BBQ Chicken Pizza: A Quick Family Favorite Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 22 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
BBQ Chicken Pizza is a delicious twist on traditional pizza, featuring tangy BBQ sauce, tender chicken, and a blend of cheeses, all baked to perfection. This quick and easy recipe is sure to become a family favorite!
Ingredients
- 1 pound pizza dough (store-bought or homemade)
- 1/2 cup BBQ sauce (plus extra for drizzling)
- 1 cup cooked chicken breast (shredded or chopped)
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded smoked gouda or cheddar cheese
- 1/4 red onion, thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro (for garnish)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Cornmeal or flour (for dusting)
Pizza Dough:
BBQ Sauce:
Chicken:
Cheeses:
Additional Toppings:
Others:
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 475°F (245°C) and place a pizza stone or baking sheet inside to heat.
- Prepare the dough: Roll out the pizza dough on a lightly floured surface to your desired thickness. If using a pizza stone, dust a pizza peel or parchment with cornmeal to prevent sticking.
- Assemble the pizza: Brush the dough with olive oil, spread BBQ sauce, add chicken, cheeses, and red onion.
- Bake: Transfer the pizza to the preheated stone or baking sheet and bake for 10 to 12 minutes until golden and bubbly.
- Finish and serve: Let the pizza rest, drizzle with more BBQ sauce, sprinkle with cilantro, slice, and serve.
Notes
- Rotisserie chicken works great in this recipe.
- For a spicier kick, add jalapeños or red pepper flakes.
- Naan or flatbread can be used for individual pizzas.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/4 of pizza)
- Calories: 410
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 680mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 65mg
