If you love the perfect combination of tangy barbecue sauce, tender chicken, and melty cheese on a crispy crust, you are going to adore this BBQ Chicken Pizza Recipe. This dish brings together bold flavors and satisfying textures in a way that’s as fun to make as it is to eat. Whether you’re hosting friends or just craving a comforting homemade dinner, this pizza strikes all the right notes with every bite.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These straightforward ingredients form the foundation of a pizza that’s bursting with flavor and texture. Each component plays its part, from the soft, airy crust to the smoky barbecue sauce and the spicy kick of jalapeños, creating a harmony that’s hard to beat.
- Olive oil (1/4 cup): Used to prep the pan and keep the crust perfectly crispy.
- Warm water (1 1/2 cups, 110°F): Helps activate the yeast for that perfect dough rise.
- Active dry yeast (2 packets): Essential for giving your dough that light and airy texture.
- Granulated sugar (2 teaspoons): Feeds the yeast and adds a slight touch of sweetness to the crust.
- Extra virgin olive oil (1/4 cup): Adds richness and moisture to the dough.
- Salt (1 teaspoon): Balances flavors and enhances dough texture.
- All-purpose flour (4 cups): The base for your pizza dough, providing structure and chew.
- Barbecue sauce (1/2 to 3/4 cup): The star of the dish, adding smoky tang and moisture to every slice.
- Shredded pepper jack cheese (1 cup, divided): Brings creamy heat and melts beautifully on top.
- Shredded cheddar jack cheese blend (1/2 cup, divided): Complements the pepper jack with a smooth, rich flavor.
- Cooked shredded chicken breast (1 cup): Tender and protein-packed, the heart of this BBQ chicken pizza.
- Pickled jalapeños (1/4 cup): Adds a sharp, spicy tang for exciting contrast.
- Diced red onion (1/4 cup): Offers a fresh crunch and a hint of sweetness.
- Diced scallion (1 scallion): A bright garnish that lifts the whole pizza with a mild bite.
How to Make BBQ Chicken Pizza Recipe
Step 1: Preparing the Pan and Dough
Begin by brushing your rimmed baking sheet generously with olive oil to prevent sticking and help your crust get golden and crisp. In a large bowl, mix the warm water with active dry yeast, allowing it to foam—a sign your yeast is lively and ready. Then whisk in sugar, olive oil, and salt to balance moisture and flavor before gradually stirring in the flour until a sticky dough forms.
Step 2: Kneading and Letting the Dough Rise
Transfer the dough onto a floured surface and knead until it becomes smooth and elastic, which usually takes about 8 to 10 minutes. The kneading develops gluten, giving your pizza its chew. Place the dough back in the oiled pan, cover with plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm spot until it doubles in size, around one hour.
Step 3: Preheating the Oven and Shaping the Dough
Set your oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit and position a pizza stone or an inverted baking sheet on the lower rack to heat. This will give your pizza a beautiful, evenly cooked crust. Gently press and stretch the dough to fit your pan, then let it rest for 30 minutes so it can relax and stretch without shrinking back—if necessary, shape it once more before moving on.
Step 4: Preparing the Crust
Before adding toppings, pierce the dough all over with a fork. This step prevents bubbling during baking and ensures an even, thin crust that crisps delightfully all around.
Step 5: Adding Toppings
Brush the dough liberally with your barbecue sauce, making sure to keep the edges sauce-free for a nicely browned crust perimeter. Sprinkle half of the cheeses evenly over the sauce, then add the shredded chicken, pickled jalapeños, diced red onion, and scallion. Finally, crown your creation with the remaining cheeses for that ooey-gooey goodness.
Step 6: Baking to Perfection
Slide your pizza onto the hot stone and bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until the crust turns golden and the cheeses are bubbling and slightly browned. This baking time is crucial for developing those irresistible crispy edges combined with a tender middle.
Step 7: Serving Your BBQ Chicken Pizza Recipe
Once baked, allow your pizza to cool for about 10 minutes before slicing. This resting period lets everything set beautifully, making slices easier to serve and enjoy.
How to Serve BBQ Chicken Pizza Recipe
Garnishes
Adding fresh garnishes like chopped cilantro or a drizzle of extra barbecue sauce can elevate your pizza to restaurant-quality status. A sprinkle of crushed red pepper flakes can also add a gentle warmth if you love a bit of spice.
Side Dishes
Complement your BBQ Chicken Pizza Recipe with a simple green salad tossed in a light vinaigrette, or pair it with crunchy coleslaw to balance the smoky richness of the pizza. For a heartier meal, roasted veggies or garlic bread make excellent companions.
Creative Ways to Present
Cut your pizza into smaller, appetizer-sized squares to serve at parties or family gatherings. You can also turn leftovers into a delicious pizza wrap by folding slices inside a warm tortilla with a bit of extra cheese and greens for a quick lunch.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Cover leftover pizza tightly with plastic wrap or store in an airtight container in the fridge. It keeps well for up to 3 days, allowing you to enjoy that BBQ Chicken Pizza Recipe flavor on another day.
Freezing
For longer storage, freeze leftover slices by wrapping each one individually in foil and placing them in a zip-top bag. Frozen pizza slices stay good for up to 2 months and thaw quickly before reheating.
Reheating
To bring your leftover BBQ Chicken Pizza Recipe back to life, reheat slices in a hot oven at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for about 8 to 10 minutes, or until the crust crisps and the cheese bubbles again. Avoid microwaves if you want to keep that fresh-baked texture.
FAQs
Can I use store-bought pizza dough for this BBQ Chicken Pizza Recipe?
Absolutely! Store-bought dough can save time and still yield delicious results. Just be sure to let it come to room temperature before shaping and adjust rising time as needed.
What type of barbecue sauce works best?
Choose a barbecue sauce you love eating on its own, whether smoky, sweet, or spicy. Thicker sauces tend to work better to avoid making the crust soggy.
Can I swap chicken for another protein?
Yes! Pulled pork, cooked sausage, or even a plant-based meat alternative can be fantastic substitutes to customize your BBQ Chicken Pizza Recipe.
How do I make the crust extra crispy?
Using a preheated pizza stone and stretching the dough thin helps produce a crispy crust. Also, avoid heavy toppings that weigh down the dough.
Is this recipe suitable for meal prep?
Definitely. The dough can be made ahead and refrigerated, and you can store assembled but unbaked pizzas in the fridge for up to 24 hours before baking.
Final Thoughts
This BBQ Chicken Pizza Recipe is an absolute crowd-pleaser that combines comfort and bold flavor with homemade charm. I encourage you to give it a try—you’ll love crafting this delicious meal that brings a little bit of barbecue magic to pizza night. Happy cooking and even happier eating!
Print
BBQ Chicken Pizza Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes plus 1.5 hours rising and resting time
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Pizza
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This BBQ Chicken Pizza recipe features a homemade pizza dough topped with tangy barbecue sauce, shredded cooked chicken, a blend of pepper jack and cheddar jack cheeses, pickled jalapeños, red onion, and scallion. Baked on a hot pizza stone, it delivers a perfectly crisp crust with melty, flavorful toppings in just 40 minutes, making it an ideal meal for pizza lovers craving a smoky, savory twist.
Ingredients
For the Dough
- 1 1/2 cups warm water (110 degrees F)
- 2 packets active dry yeast (1/4 ounce each)
- 2 teaspoons granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 4 cups all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled, plus more for work surface
- 1/4 cup olive oil (for prepping pan)
For the Toppings
- 1/2 to 3/4 cup barbecue sauce
- 1 cup shredded pepper jack cheese, divided
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar jack cheese blend, divided
- 1 cup cooked shredded chicken breast
- 1/4 cup pickled jalapeños
- 1/4 cup diced red onion
- 1 scallion, diced
Instructions
- Prep pan and dough: Brush a rimmed baking sheet with olive oil. In a large bowl, combine warm water and yeast and let it stand until foamy. Whisk in sugar, extra virgin olive oil, and salt. Add flour and stir until a sticky dough forms.
- Knead and rise: Turn the dough onto a floured surface and knead until smooth and elastic, about 8-10 minutes. Transfer to the prepared sheet pan, cover with plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm place until doubled in size, about 1 hour.
- Preheat and shape: Preheat oven to 450°F (230°C) with a pizza stone or an inverted baking sheet placed on the lower rack. Gently press and stretch the dough to cover the pan evenly. Let the dough rest for 30 minutes, then stretch again if necessary to fill the pan fully.
- Prepare crust: Pierce the dough all over with a fork to prevent bubbling during baking.
- Add toppings: Brush the dough with barbecue sauce, leaving the edges bare for the crust. Evenly sprinkle half of the pepper jack and cheddar jack cheeses over the sauce, then add shredded chicken, pickled jalapeños, diced red onion, and diced scallion. Top with the remaining cheese blend.
- Bake on the hot stone: Transfer the prepared pizza to the preheated pizza stone or baking sheet and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and cheese is bubbly and melted.
- Serve: Remove the pizza from the oven and let it cool for 10 minutes to set before slicing and serving.
Notes
- You can substitute cooked rotisserie chicken for a quicker preparation.
- Adjust the amount of barbecue sauce and jalapeños to control the level of spiciness.
- Using a pizza stone or inverted baking sheet helps achieve a crispy crust.
- Resting the dough after stretching ensures it doesn’t shrink back while baking.
- Leftover pizza keeps well refrigerated for 2-3 days and reheats nicely in the oven.
