There's something magical about making pizza from scratch on a Friday night. Last month, Emily asked if we could skip ordering takeout and make something "actually good" instead (thanks for the vote of confidence, kiddo!). That's when I decided to try my hand at homemade BBQ chicken pizza, and honestly? It turned out better than any restaurant version I've ever had.
The combination of tangy barbecue sauce, tender chicken, and melted mozzarella on a crispy homemade crust is absolutely perfect. Plus, making it yourself means you control every ingredient – no weird preservatives or mystery toppings here!
If you're looking for more pizza inspiration, you might want to check out my English muffin pizzas for a quick weeknight option, or try my no-knead pizza dough recipe if you want to prep ahead. And don't miss my sheet pan pepperoni pizza – it's perfect for feeding a crowd!
Why You Will Like This BBQ Chicken Pizza
This recipe hits all the right notes, and I'm not just saying that because I'm proud of how it turned out! Here's what makes this BBQ chicken pizza special:
- Quick and easy – The whole process takes about 1 hour and 45 minutes, but most of that is hands-off time
- Budget-friendly – Making pizza at home costs way less than delivery, and you get more food
- Customizable – Don't like onions? Skip them! Want extra cheese? Go for it!
- Perfect texture – The crust gets crispy on the bottom while staying tender inside
- Crowd-pleaser – I've never met anyone who doesn't love this combination of flavors
- Great for leftovers – It tastes amazing reheated the next day (if there's any left!)
Ingredients for the Perfect BBQ Chicken Pizza
Here's what you'll need to make this delicious homemade BBQ chicken pizza:
For the Pizza:
- 1 homemade pizza dough (or store-bought crust if you're short on time)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ cup (148 g) BBQ sauce, divided
- 1 ½ cups (130 g) cooked shredded chicken
- ¼ cup (24 g) onion, thinly sliced
- 1 ½ cups (148 g) mozzarella cheese, shredded
- Fresh cilantro for topping (optional, but I love the pop of color!)
The key to great BBQ chicken pizza is using quality ingredients. I always use rotisserie chicken because it's already perfectly seasoned and saves time. For the BBQ sauce, I prefer something with a good balance of sweet and tangy – not too smoky or it overwhelms the other flavors.
Instructions for Making BBQ Chicken Pizza
Making this BBQ chicken pizza is easier than you might think. Here's how I do it:
Preparing the Dough and Oven
- Prepare your pizza dough according to the recipe instructions (or let store-bought dough come to room temperature if using that instead).
- Adjust your oven rack to the lower-third position and preheat to 475°F. This high heat is crucial for getting that crispy crust!
- Roll out the dough into a 12-inch circle. I like to do this directly on my pizza pan to avoid any transfer mishaps. If you're using a pizza stone, work directly on your pizza peel.
Assembling Your BBQ Chicken Pizza
- Prep your pan by spraying it with non-stick spray and dusting lightly with flour or cornmeal. This prevents sticking and adds a nice texture to the bottom.
- Brush the dough with olive oil all over the surface. This creates a barrier that keeps the crust from getting soggy.
- Spread half the BBQ sauce evenly over the crust, leaving about a 1-inch border around the edges. Don't go crazy with the sauce – too much makes the pizza soggy.
Adding the Toppings
- Sprinkle the chicken and onion over the sauce. Make sure to distribute them evenly so every bite has some of everything.
- Add the remaining BBQ sauce by dotting it around the pizza. This gives you those perfect little pockets of extra flavor.
- Top with mozzarella cheese, spreading it evenly over the entire pizza. Don't be shy with the cheese – it's what holds everything together!
Baking to Perfection
- Bake for 15-17 minutes until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is melted and bubbly. I always rotate the pizza halfway through to ensure even browning.
- Let it cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes before slicing. I know it's tempting to dive right in, but this resting time helps the cheese set up so it doesn't all slide off when you cut it.
- Garnish with fresh cilantro if desired, then slice and serve immediately.
Storage and Reheating Your BBQ Chicken Pizza
Leftover BBQ chicken pizza is like finding treasure in your fridge! Here's how to store it properly:
Refrigerator storage: Wrap individual slices or the whole pizza tightly in plastic wrap and store for up to 3 days. The flavors actually develop even more overnight.
Freezer storage: Wrap cooled slices individually in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer bag. They'll keep for up to 3 months.
Reheating tips: I've tried every method, and here's what works best. For refrigerated pizza, use a skillet over medium heat for 3-4 minutes to crisp the bottom, then cover for 1-2 minutes to warm through. For frozen slices, thaw first, then reheat the same way.
Never use the microwave if you can avoid it – it makes the crust chewy and gross!
Variations for Your BBQ Chicken Pizza
One of the best things about making homemade BBQ chicken pizza is how easy it is to customize. Here are some variations I've tried:
- Spicy version – Add sliced jalapeños or use spicy BBQ sauce
- Hawaiian twist – Add pineapple chunks along with the chicken
- Veggie-loaded – Include bell peppers, mushrooms, or corn
- Cheese upgrade – Mix in some sharp cheddar or smoked gouda with the mozzarella
- Herb garden – Add fresh basil or oregano before baking
Emily's personal preference? She loves when I add extra cheese and skip the onions (typical teenager). I've also made this with leftover grilled chicken, which adds a nice smoky flavor that pairs perfectly with the BBQ sauce.
What toppings would you add to make this BBQ chicken pizza your own?
BBQ Chicken Pizza FAQ
Yes! You can use store-bought pizza dough or even a pre-made crust to save time.
Yes, always use cooked chicken. Raw chicken won't cook through properly in the short baking time. Rotisserie chicken works great!
Store covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, or freeze individual slices for up to 3 months.
The pizza is ready when the crust is golden brown and the cheese is melted and bubbly, typically 15-17 minutes at 475°F.
Recipes You May Like
If you enjoyed this BBQ chicken pizza recipe, here are some other crowd-pleasers from my kitchen:
- Old-Fashioned Baked Macaroni and Cheese – Another comfort food classic that's perfect for family dinners
- Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken – If you love the chicken on this pizza, you'll go crazy for this skillet recipe
- Southern Fried Chicken Recipe – Perfect for when you want to use up that leftover chicken in a completely different way
Conclusion
Making BBQ chicken pizza at home is one of those cooking wins that makes you feel like a kitchen superhero. The combination of crispy crust, tangy barbecue sauce, tender chicken, and melted cheese is absolutely perfect. Plus, it's so much more affordable than ordering delivery!
This recipe has become our go-to for weekend dinners and movie nights. Emily always asks for extra cheese (obviously), and I love how the house smells while it's baking. The best part? Leftovers taste amazing the next day, so you get to enjoy this delicious BBQ chicken pizza twice.
Give this recipe a try and let me know how it turns out! Don't forget to save this to Pinterest for your next pizza night.
The Best Homemade BBQ Chicken Pizza
Equipment
- Pizza Pan or Pizza Stone
- Rolling Pin
- Wire Rack
Ingredients
Pizza Base
- 1 homemade pizza dough or store-bought crust
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Toppings
- ½ cup BBQ sauce 148g, divided
- 1 ½ cups cooked shredded chicken 130g
- ¼ cup onion 24g, thinly sliced
- 1 ½ cups mozzarella cheese 148g, shredded
- fresh cilantro for topping, optional
Instructions
- Prepare the homemade pizza dough according to the recipe instructions.
- Adjust the oven rack to the lower-third position. Preheat the oven to 475°F (245°C).
- Roll the dough out into a 12-inch circle. You can also do this directly on your pizza pan. If you are using a pizza stone, do this step directly on your pizza peel.
- Spray your pizza pan with non-stick spray and dust lightly with flour or cornmeal. Once you've shaped the dough, gently transfer it to your prepared pizza pan.
- Brush the top of the pizza dough with the olive oil. Spread half of the BBQ sauce evenly over the crust leaving a 1-inch bare rim around the edge.
- Sprinkle the chicken and onion over the sauce. Top with remaining BBQ sauce.
- Spread the mozzarella cheese evenly over the top.
- Bake for 15-17 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese has melted. Rotate halfway through the cooking time.
- Let cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes. Garnish with cilantro if desired before slicing and serving.
Notes
- When making homemade pizza dough, be sure to weigh the flour for best results.
- Don't use raw chicken! Always use cooked chicken as pizzas cook quickly and raw chicken may not cook through properly. Rotisserie chicken works great!
- You can toss the chicken in the remaining BBQ sauce instead of topping it with sauce for extra flavor.
- For spicier onion flavor, use red onions. For mild flavor, use sweet or yellow onion.
- Wrap baked and cooled pizza tightly in plastic wrap. Store in refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Baked and cooled pizza slices can be wrapped tightly and stored in the freezer for up to 3 months.
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