Fire up the oven to make this simple and delicious BBQ chicken pizza, made with grilled chicken thighs and lots of grated cheese.
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What is BBQ Chicken Pizza made of?
BBQ Chicken Pizza starts with a traditional pizza dough, but instead of tomato-based sauce, BBQ sauce is used as the base. Grated cheeses are placed on top along with cooked chicken and red onions.
Pizza became popular after being introduced at California Pizza Kitchen (CPK) in the 1980s. Today, several pizzerias offer barbecue chicken pizza. You can also buy ready-made pizzas in the freezer section.
To add flavor to the barbecue, this recipe is topped with grilled chicken thighs dusted with a sweet barbecue seasoning. If you don't like thighs, use chicken breasts or even store-bought rotisserie chicken.
ingredients
- Chicken thighs: Look for boneless, skinless thighs.
- Oil: To prevent the chicken from sticking to the grill. Use olive oil or canola oil.
- Chicken Rub: Use your favorite blend or the quick recipe I've included below.
- Pizza dough: You should be able to find it in the deli case at your local grocery store. One 16-ounce scoop is enough for two pizzas.
- Barbecue sauce: Use your favorite. I like HNY FYR BBQ Saucebecause it is sweet and spicy.
- Grated Cheeses: The mozzarella and smoked gouda are excellent. Pepper jack and cheddar are also tasty choices.
- Red onions: These add color and crunch to the pizza.
- Coriander: Sprinkle it at the end for a touch of color and brightness.
Substitutions: If you don't like cilantro, use fresh parsley or sliced green onions.
See the full recipe card below for serving sizes and full ingredient list.
How to Make BBQ Chicken Pizza
You will probably need two racks for this recipe. You will use the first grill over medium-high heat (375-400F) with direct heat to grill the chicken.
So, you will need a pizza oven or grill oven accessory to cook pizza. You can also cook pizza in an indoor oven, on a pizza stone.
- FIRST STEP: Season the chicken with oil and chicken rub. Be sure to season both sides.
- STEP TWO: Grill the chicken thighs for about 3 minutes per side or until the internal temperature of the meat reaches 165°F using a meat thermometer.
- STEP THREE: Chop the chicken, dice the onion and grate the cheese.
- STEP FOUR: Divide the ball of dough in half. Roll out the pizza dough on a lightly floured surface. Place the dough on a floured pizza peel. Top with barbecue sauce, cheeses, grilled chicken and red onions.
PRO TIP: Pizza dough will stretch better when it's had the chance to rest at room temperature for a few minutes. Don't use a rolling pin. Instead, stretch and pull it.
- STEP FIVE: Place the pizza in the preheated oven. I use an Ooni set at about 700°F. Rotate pizza every 60-90 seconds for even cooking. Once the crust is golden brown and the cheese is melted, it is ready.
- STEP SIX: Remove the pizza from the oven and garnish with fresh cilantro. Cut and enjoy.
How to Serve BBQ Chicken Pizza
If the pizzas are small enough, you can give each one their own individual pie. Otherwise, cut the pizza into slices and serve it on a platter with more herbs and sauce.
Keep a bottle of warm honey or ranch dressing on hand, in case someone wants to drizzle some over the slice.
Warehousing
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It is best to keep the slices in a single layer. It will keep for 3-5 days.
If you reheat the pizza in the microwave, the dough will be soft. If you reheat it in an air oven, the dough will crisp up around the edges.
Leftover pizza doesn't freeze very well, but you can freeze it for up to a month. Ice crystals will then begin to form, making the pizza soggy.
Tips for the GCG Pro Pitmaster
- For convenience, use ready-made pizza dough and let it rest at room temperature for several minutes
- Make sure the pizza peel is floured so the pizza slides easily into the oven
- Heat your pizza oven before making your pizza
- Don't overdo it with the sauce, otherwise the pizza will be soggy
Frequent questions
I like to bake pizzas in my Ooni Karu 12 pizza oven. It is wood fired, which adds flavor to the barbecue. You can also find pizza oven accessories that fit inside pellet grills or kamado-style grills.
Place a pizza stone on a rack inside the oven. Preheat oven to 475°F degrees. Build your own pizza and slide the pizza onto the stone. Then, bake for 10-15 minutes, until golden brown.
The traditional BBQ chicken pizza recipe doesn't include pineapple, but this is your pizza party. Add your favorite toppings. The key is to start with the barbecue sauce and cheese, then you can go wild.
PRO TIPS: Read these great tips on easy homemade pizza using a pizza oven.
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Heat grills: To grill chicken, heat grill to medium-high heat (375-400F). For pizza, heat the pizza oven or pizza oven grill accessory according to the manufacturer's instructions. (To bake at home, see above)
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Season: Rub the oil and seasoning on both sides of the chicken thighs.
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Grill: Grill the chicken thighs over medium-high heat for about 3 minutes per side or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F. Remove from grill and chop.
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Elastic paste: Cut the dough ball in half. On a lightly floured surface, roll out pizza crust evenly to desired thickness. Sprinkle the pizza peel with flour and place the dough on top.
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Build the pizza: Using the back of a spoon, spread 1/4 cup barbecue sauce over the dough. Add 1/3 cup of each cheese. Top with half of the grilled chicken and sliced red onions.
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Baking: Shake the pizza in the preheated pizza oven. Rotate the pizza every 60-90 seconds. Continue cooking until the crust is golden and the cheese is melted.
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Serve: Remove the pizza from the oven. Garnish with fresh cilantro or parsley. Cut and serve.
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Repeat: Use the remaining ingredients to bake a second pizza.
Rub the sweet chicken
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon white sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon granulated garlic
- 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
Instead of chicken thighs, you can use store-bought chicken breasts or rotisserie chicken.
Calories: 696kcalCarbohydrates: 72GProtein: 45GFat: 25GSaturated fats: 12GPolyunsaturated fats: 3GMonounsaturated fat: 7GTrans fats: 0.02GCholesterol: 167mgSodium: 1729mgPotassium: 444mgFiber: 2GSugar: 20GVitamin A: 495UIC vitamin: 1mgSoccer: 405mgIron: 5mg
Nutrition information is calculated automatically, so should only be used as an approximation.
