BBQ Chicken Pizza (The Smoky, Sweet, & Savory Crowd-Pleaser!)

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Let’s be real. Sometimes you’re stuck in that eternal debate: pizza or barbecue? And I’m here to tell you that the only correct answer is “YES.” This BBQ Chicken Pizza is the glorious love child of both worlds. We’re taking everything we love about a good pizza—the chewy crust, the stretchy cheese—and smashing it together with the smoky, tangy, finger-licking goodness of BBQ. I first had this combo at a random pizza joint in college, and it was a revelation. My homemade version is even better because I load it up with extra chicken and use a killer blend of cheeses. Is it authentic Italian? Absolutely not. Do I care? Not even a little bit. This is a Friday night feast, a game-day hero, and the answer to your “what should we make for dinner?” prayers.

🎯 QUICK FACTS TABLE

Prep Time	Cook Time	Total Time	Servings	Difficulty
20 minutes	15 minutes	35 minutes	3-4	Easy

📝 INGREDIENTS SECTION

For the Base:

• 1 lb pizza dough (store-bought is totally fine, no judgment!)
• A little semolina or cornmeal for dusting

For the BBQ Chicken:

• 1 cup cooked chicken, shredded or diced (rotisserie chicken is your best friend here!)
• ½ cup of your favorite BBQ sauce, divided

For the Cheesy Layer:

• 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• ½ cup shredded smoked Gouda or sharp cheddar cheese (the smoke is a GAME CHANGER)

The Toppings (Before & After Bake):

• ¼ red onion, very thinly sliced
• 2 tbsp fresh cilantro, chopped
• Optional: Sliced jalapeños for a kick

👩‍🍳 HOW TO COOK!

1. The Pre-Game: Take your pizza dough out of the fridge about an hour before you want to bake. Let it come to room temp—it’ll be way easier to stretch. Preheat your oven to a scorching 475°F (245°C). If you have a pizza stone, put it in the oven to heat up. If not, a baking sheet turned upside down works shockingly well!
2. The Chicken Coat: In a small bowl, toss the shredded chicken with about ¼ cup of the BBQ sauce. You want every piece to be coated in that glossy, smoky goodness. Set it aside.
3. The Stretch & The Sauce: On a floured surface, gently stretch and press your dough into a 12-14 inch circle. Don’t stress about perfect roundness—rustic is charming! Transfer it to a piece of parchment paper dusted with semolina. Now, spread the remaining ¼ cup of BBQ sauce over the dough, leaving a one-inch border for the crust. This is your flavor base.
4. The Cheesy Blanket & The Toppings: Sprinkle about half of the mozzarella cheese over the sauce. This layer acts as a glue for your toppings. Now, scatter the BBQ chicken and the thinly sliced red onion evenly over the cheese. Top with the remaining mozzarella and the smoked Gouda.
5. The Bake: Carefully slide the pizza (on the parchment paper) onto your preheated stone or baking sheet. Bake for 12-15 minutes, until the crust is puffed and golden, the cheese is bubbly, and you see those gorgeous caramelized spots on the edges.
6. The Finish: Take the pizza out of the oven. Let it rest for just a minute—this keeps the cheese from sliding off. THEN, and only then, scatter the fresh cilantro (and jalapeños, if using) all over the top. Slice it up and watch it disappear.

📊 NUTRITION & TIPS

Pro-Tips Section: Little Tweaks, Big Results:

• [Time Saver] Using a pre-cooked rotisserie chicken is the ultimate shortcut here. It’s flavorful, easy to shred, and makes this pizza a 30-minute meal.
• [Essential Technique Tip] The secret to a non-soggy crust is using BBQ sauce as a layer, not a lake. Don’t go overboard! Also, putting a layer of cheese down before the chicken creates a barrier that protects the crust from moisture. And for the love of all that is holy, don’t put the cilantro on before it bakes—it’ll turn into a sad, blackened wisp!

❓ READERS ASKED, WE ANSWERED

Q: Can I use raw chicken instead of cooked?
A: You can, but you have to be smart about it. Raw chicken diced into tiny pieces won’t cook through in the short pizza-baking time. If you must use raw, cook it completely in a skillet first with a little BBQ sauce, then put it on the pizza. Honestly, rotisserie chicken is the foolproof path to victory here.