BBQ Chicken Pizza is a crowd-pleaser that combines the best of two worlds: mouthwatering barbecue and scrumptious pizza. The smoky, tangy flavors of the grilled chicken and barbecue sauce meld perfectly with the gooey cheese and crispy crust to create a delicious and satisfying meal.
It’s no wonder that this recipe is a favorite among BBQ and pizza enthusiasts alike. I’m excited to share this BBQ Chicken Pizza recipe, which is perfect for both beginners and experienced grill masters.
With simple and easy-to-follow steps, this recipe is accessible to anyone looking to create a fantastic homemade pizza with a twist.
For this recipe, you’ll need a few essential tools, such as a grill or pizza oven, a pizza stone or baking sheet, and a big spatula for transferring the pizza. If you’re using a grill, make sure it’s capable of reaching high temperatures for the perfect crust. Having these tools on hand will ensure your BBQ Chicken Pizza comes out crispy and delicious every time.
Join me on this flavorful journey as we explore fantastic BBQ dishes and products, learn new techniques, and create amazing meals that will impress your friends and family.
Let’s fire up the grill and make some unforgettable BBQ Chicken Pizza!
How To Make Homemade BBQ Chicken Pizza
Prepare the Homemade Pizza Dough
In a large mixing bowl, mix warm water, yeast, olive oil, salt, and flour using an electric mixer with a dough hook. Divide the dough into 8 equal balls and let them rise on a lightly oiled baking sheet, covered with a damp towel, for about an hour and a half.
Preheat the Grill
Fire up your grill and set it for two-zone cooking, allowing the direct heat side to get very hot (above 500F). This is where we’ll be grilling the chicken.
(If you’re using pre-cooked chicken or rotisserie chicken, you can skip this step)
Grill the Chicken
Season the chicken breasts with Sweet Brown Sugar Rub and grill them over direct heat until they reach an internal temperature of 165F (about 7-8 minutes per side). Let the chicken rest for 4-5 minutes before slicing it thinly.
Prepare the Pizza Toppings
Get all of your toppings ready before you start grilling the pizzas. Arrange mozzarella cheese, shredded cheese, sliced chicken, sliced red onions, BBQ sauce or pizza sauce, and cilantro around your prep area.
Shape the Dough
Coat your hands with olive oil and gently shape each dough ball into a disk with even thickness. Don’t worry about creating a crust around the edges, just focus on stretching the dough evenly.
Preheat Your Pizza Oven
Crank up the heat on your pizza oven with the pizza stone inside to get it nice and hot for your pizza.
Build Your Barbecue Chicken Pizza
Start layering your toppings onto the pizza crust. Begin with BBQ sauce, followed by mozzarella, chicken, red onions, and cheddar cheese.
Grill Pizza
Place the pizza in your pizza oven using a pizza peel and keep a close eye on it. You’ll want to rotate the pizza every 30-45 seconds to cook the crust evenly.
Slice and Serve
Carefully transfer the pizza to a cutting board using your pizza peel or a big spatula. Drizzle with additional tangy BBQ sauce if desired, then slice and serve. Repeat the pizza grilling process with the remaining dough balls to enjoy more delicious BBQ chicken pizzas.
Recipe Tips For Making BBQ Chicken Pizza
BBQ Chicken Pizza is a delicious and fun recipe to try at home. Even beginners can achieve great results by keeping a few simple tips in mind. Here are a few tips that will help you create the perfect BBQ Chicken Pizza without any fuss:
- Prepare Toppings Ahead of Time: To make the pizza-making process smoother, prepare all your toppings before you start grilling the pizzas. This way, you’ll have everything ready to go when it’s time to add the toppings.
- Monitor the Crust: Keep an eye on the pizza crust while it’s cooking to avoid burning. Rotate the pizza as needed to ensure even cooking.
Benefits of Investing in a Pizza Oven
A high-quality pizza oven can elevate your pizza-making experience at home, bringing the authentic taste of wood-fired pizza to your backyard.
Here are the top 3 reasons we suggest investing in a high-quality pizza:
- Fast and Even Cooking: Pizza ovens are designed to heat up quickly and maintain high temperatures, allowing you to cook pizzas in just a matter of minutes. The even heat distribution ensures that your pizza crust will be perfectly crispy, while the toppings will be cooked to perfection.
- Versatility: In addition to making incredible pizzas, pizza ovens can also be used to cook a variety of other dishes, such as flatbreads, roasted vegetables, and even steaks. The high cooking temperatures and wood-fired flavors imparted by these ovens will add a delicious, gourmet touch to your home-cooked meals.
- Outdoor Entertainment: A pizza oven can transform your outdoor space into an entertainment hub, allowing you to create memorable experiences with friends and family. By making pizzas together, you can enjoy a fun and interactive cooking experience that everyone will love.
If you’re in the market for a pizza oven, we highly recommend any of the Ooni Pizza Ovens. Whether you’re looking for a gas-powered pizza oven, a pellet-fueled pizza oven, or an indoor electric pizza oven, they’ve got what you’re looking for.
Best Beer To Serve With BBQ Chicken Pizza
When it comes to enjoying BBQ chicken pizza, the right beer can elevate the entire dining experience. With a harmonious blend of flavors, your taste buds will be in for a treat. Here are the top 3 types of beer that pair exceptionally well with this mouthwatering BBQ chicken pizza recipe:
American Pale Ale
An American Pale Ale provides just the right balance of hops and malt to complement the smoky, tangy flavors of the BBQ chicken pizza. The beer’s slight bitterness and citrus notes work well with the sweetness of the barbecue sauce, creating a perfect match for your palate.
Amber Lager
An Amber Lager has a beautiful, malty character that pairs wonderfully with the BBQ chicken pizza’s rich and savory toppings. The beer’s crisp and clean finish cuts through the richness of the cheese and barbecue sauce, making it an ideal companion for this delicious pizza.
Hefeweizen
For a lighter, refreshing option, a Hefeweizen‘s fruity and slightly spicy notes are a great choice to pair with the BBQ chicken pizza. The beer’s effervescence and subtle hints of banana and clove add a unique contrast to the smoky, cheesy flavors of the pizza, creating a delightful combination for your taste buds to enjoy.
More Pizza Recipes
BBQ Chicken Pizza Recipe
Equipment
- Large Mixing Bowl
- Electric mixer with dough hook
- Baking Sheet
- Damp towel
- Pizza Oven (or a grill with 2-zone cooking capabilities)
- Pizza Peel (or large spatula)
Ingredients
Pizza Dough
- 1 â…” cup warm water
- 2 ¼ tsp dry active yeast (1 packet)
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 2 tsp salt
- 5 cups all-purpose flour
Grilled Chicken
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 2 tbsp Sweet Brown Sugar Rub
Toppings
- 24 oz fresh mozzarella
- 16 oz medium cheddar cheese shredded
- 2 cups your favorite BBQ Sauce
- 1/2 cup red onion thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro leaves chopped
Instructions
- Prepare the dough by mixing warm water, yeast, olive oil, salt, and flour in a large mixing bowl using an electric mixer with a dough hook. Divide dough into 8 equal balls and let rise on a lightly oiled baking sheet, covered with a damp towel, for 1 to 1 1/2 hours.
- Preheat your grill for grilling chicken breasts
- Season chicken breasts with Sweet Brown Sugar Rub and grill until internal temperature reaches 165F (about 7-8 minutes per side). Let rest for 4-5 minutes before slicing thinly.
- Arrange shredded cheese, sliced chicken, sliced red onions, BBQ sauce, and cilantro on a cutting board near your prep station.
- Coat hands with olive oil, shape dough balls into disks with even thickness.
- Layer BBQ sauce, mozzarella, chicken, red onions, and cheddar cheese onto the pizza dough
- Place BBQ pizza in the pizza oven and rotate often to ensure evenly cooked crust
- Transfer pizza to a cutting board, drizzle with more BBQ sauce if desired, and serve. Repeat the process for the remaining dough balls.
BBQ Chicken Pizza FAQs
How long does it take to cook BBQ Chicken Pizza on a grill?
It typically takes about 7-10 minutes to cook BBQ Chicken Pizza on a grill. First, grill the dough for 2-3 minutes on direct heat until the bottom is browned. Then, add the toppings and cook for another 4-5 minutes on indirect heat until the cheese is melted and the crust is cooked through.
Should I make BBQ Chicken Pizza on a pizza stone?
Yes, we always recommend using a pizza stone when making homemade pizza. Preheat the pizza stone on the grill or in your oven, then carefully transfer the prepared pizza onto the hot stone. Cook the pizza until the cheese is melted and the crust is crispy, usually around 7-10 minutes.
What type of BBQ sauce is best for BBQ Chicken Pizza?
The best BBQ sauce for BBQ Chicken Pizza is a matter of personal preference. You can use your favorite store-bought sauce or make your own homemade BBQ sauce. A sweet bbq sauce or a tangy one usually pairs well with the smoky grilled chicken and other toppings.
How do I grill the chicken for BBQ Chicken Pizza?
To grill the chicken for BBQ Chicken Pizza, season the boneless, skinless chicken breasts with a sweet brown sugar rub or your favorite BBQ seasoning. Grill the chicken over direct heat until it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (about 7-8 minutes per side). Let the chicken rest for a few minutes before slicing it thinly for the pizza topping.
Can I use store-bought pizza dough for BBQ Chicken Pizza?
Yes, you can use store-bought pizza dough for any of our pizza recipes. Simply follow the instructions on the package to prepare the dough, and then proceed with the recipe as directed.