Warm, smoky, and cheesy, this BBQ Chicken Pizza is a weeknight favorite that turns leftover chicken into a crowd-pleasing meal. Ready in about 30 minutes, it balances tangy BBQ sauce, melty mozzarella, and bright cilantro for a simple dinner everyone will love. For extra tender chicken, try using leftover slow-cooker meat from this easy crockpot BBQ chicken.
Why You’ll Love This BBQ Chicken Pizza
- Bold BBQ flavor with a sweet-tangy sauce and melty cheese.
- Quick to assemble for busy weeknights or last-minute guests.
- Uses leftover or rotisserie chicken to cut prep time.
- Kid-friendly and easy to customize with extra toppings.
- Great as leftovers and reheats well for lunch the next day.
Ingredients Needed
- Dough
- Pizza dough (store-bought or homemade)
- Protein
- Cooked chicken breast, shredded or chopped
- Sauce
- BBQ sauce (plus 2 tbsp reserved for tossing chicken)
- Cheese
- Mozzarella cheese, shredded
- Veggies & Herbs
- Red onion, thinly sliced
- Fresh cilantro, chopped
- Oil & Extras
- Olive oil for brushing crust
- Salt and pepper to taste
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Preheat oven to 475°F and roll out pizza dough on a floured surface to desired thickness; transfer to a greased pizza pan or baking sheet and brush edges with olive oil.
- Shred or chop the cooked chicken breast into bite-sized pieces and toss with 2 tablespoons of BBQ sauce until well coated.
- Spread remaining BBQ sauce evenly over the pizza dough, leaving a 1-inch border for the crust.
- Sprinkle half of the mozzarella cheese over the sauce.
- Distribute the BBQ chicken pieces and sliced red onions evenly over the cheese. Top with remaining mozzarella cheese.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes until the crust is golden brown and cheese is bubbly; remove from oven and immediately sprinkle fresh cilantro over the hot pizza before serving.
Serving Suggestions BBQ Chicken Pizza
- Serve with a crisp green salad and a lemon vinaigrette for brightness.
- Offer extra BBQ sauce and red pepper flakes at the table for customization.
- Pair with crunchy oven-roasted potato wedges for a hearty meal.
- For a Mediterranean twist, serve alongside a lemon-feta salad inspired by this Greek chicken lemon-feta recipe.
- Finish with an ice-cold soda or a refreshing iced tea.
Tips for Success BBQ Chicken Pizza
- Use room-temperature dough for easier stretching and a lighter crust.
- Don’t overload the sauce or toppings to avoid a soggy center; less is more.
- Bake on a preheated pizza pan or baking sheet for a crisper bottom.
- Cool slightly before slicing to keep the toppings from sliding off.
- If you want a spicy experiment, try swapping some BBQ sauce for a buffalo-style kick inspired by this buffalo chicken dip recipe idea.
Variations
Here are a few easy ways to change it up:
- Swap chicken for pulled pork or thinly sliced steak for a heartier pie.
- Add sliced bell peppers, jalapeños, or pineapple for extra flavor and texture.
- Make it dairy-free by using a vegan mozzarella alternative and extra herbs.
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BBQ Chicken Pizza
Warm, smoky, and cheesy BBQ Chicken Pizza is a weeknight favorite that transforms leftover chicken into a delicious meal, balancing tangy BBQ sauce with melty cheese and fresh cilantro.
Ingredients
Dough
- 1 piece Pizza dough (store-bought or homemade)
Protein
- 2 cups Cooked chicken breast, shredded or chopped
Sauce
- 1/2 cup BBQ sauce Plus 2 tbsp reserved for tossing chicken
Cheese
- 2 cups Mozzarella cheese, shredded
Veggies & Herbs
- 1 small Red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup Fresh cilantro, chopped
Oil & Extras
- 1 tbsp Olive oil for brushing crust
- to taste Salt and pepper
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat oven to 475°F and roll out pizza dough on a floured surface to desired thickness; transfer to a greased pizza pan or baking sheet and brush edges with olive oil.
- Shred or chop the cooked chicken breast into bite-sized pieces and toss with 2 tablespoons of BBQ sauce until well coated.
Assembly
- Spread remaining BBQ sauce evenly over the pizza dough, leaving a 1-inch border for the crust.
- Sprinkle half of the mozzarella cheese over the sauce.
- Distribute the BBQ chicken pieces and sliced red onions evenly over the cheese. Top with remaining mozzarella cheese.
Baking
- Bake for 12-15 minutes until the crust is golden brown and cheese is bubbly; remove from oven and immediately sprinkle fresh cilantro over the hot pizza before serving.
Notes
Use room-temperature dough for easier stretching and a lighter crust. Don’t overload the sauce or toppings to avoid a soggy center; less is more. Bake on a preheated pizza pan or baking sheet for a crisper bottom. Cool slightly before slicing to keep the toppings from sliding off. If you want a spicy experiment, try swapping some BBQ sauce for a buffalo-style kick.