Here is my favorite BBQ chicken pizza recipe, with a simple homemade crust, tender pieces of chicken, tangy barbecue sauce, red onions, and plenty of melted cheese on top.
This BBQ chicken pizza has become our Friday night go-to dinner. I often make an extra one to have for lunch the next day. Nothing beats cold pizza for weekend leftovers, don’t you think?
Why You’ll Love This BBQ Chicken Pizza
- Quick preparation – With a pre-cooked pizza base and cooked chicken, this pizza comes together in just 25-35 minutes – perfect for busy weeknight dinners.
- Family-friendly fusion – This pizza combines the classic comfort of pizza with the sweet and tangy flavors of BBQ, making it a hit with both kids and adults.
- Simple ingredients – You only need a handful of basic ingredients that are easy to find at any grocery store, and the pre-cooked components make assembly a breeze.
- Great for entertaining – It’s different enough from traditional pizza to feel special, but familiar enough that everyone will want to dig in – perfect for casual gatherings or game day.
What Kind of BBQ Sauce Should I Use?
The BBQ sauce you choose will set the whole flavor tone for your pizza, so it’s worth picking one that matches your taste preferences. Traditional Kansas City-style BBQ sauce, with its thick and sweet profile, tends to work really well on pizza since it won’t make your crust soggy. If you prefer something with more kick, try a spicy BBQ sauce or one with a smoky chipotle base – both pair great with chicken. Just keep in mind that store-bought sauces can vary quite a bit in thickness, so you might want to warm yours slightly and give it a good stir if it seems too thick to spread easily on your pizza crust.
Options for Substitutions
This pizza recipe is pretty flexible and you can switch things up based on what you have in your kitchen:
- Pizza base: If you don’t have a pre-cooked pizza base, you can use naan bread, flatbread, or even a large tortilla. Just keep in mind that cooking times might need to be adjusted – tortillas will cook faster than regular pizza bases.
- BBQ sauce: Any BBQ sauce works here! You can also mix it up by using a combination of BBQ sauce and pizza sauce, or try a honey BBQ sauce for a sweeter taste.
- Cooked chicken: Rotisserie chicken works great as a time-saver. You could also use pulled pork or even sliced turkey if that’s what you have on hand.
- Pepperoncini: Not a fan of pepperoncini? Try banana peppers, jalapeños (if you like heat), or even bell peppers for a milder option.
- Colby-Jack cheese: Most melting cheeses work well here – try mozzarella, cheddar, or a Mexican cheese blend. You can even mix different types of cheese.
- Cilantro: If you’re not a cilantro fan (or if you’re one of those folks who think it tastes like soap), feel free to use fresh parsley or just skip the herbs altogether.
Watch Out for These Mistakes While Cooking
The biggest challenge when making BBQ chicken pizza is preventing a soggy crust, so be sure to pre-bake your pizza base for 5-7 minutes before adding toppings – this creates a barrier that keeps the sauce from seeping in. Adding too much BBQ sauce is another common mistake that can overwhelm the other flavors and make the pizza wet, so stick to a thin, even layer and leave a 1/2-inch border around the edges. For the best texture and flavor, make sure your chicken pieces are well-drained and not too large (aim for 1/2-inch chunks), as oversized pieces can make the pizza difficult to eat and prevent even cooking. A helpful tip is to toss your chicken pieces in a small amount of BBQ sauce before adding them to the pizza – this keeps them moist during baking and adds an extra layer of flavor.
What to Serve With BBQ Chicken Pizza?
Since BBQ chicken pizza already packs bold flavors, I like to keep the sides simple and refreshing. A crisp garden salad with ranch dressing makes a perfect partner – the cool, crunchy lettuce balances out the sweet and tangy BBQ sauce. For a crowd-pleasing spread, I usually put out some garlic knots or breadsticks (because who doesn’t love extra carbs with their pizza?). If you’re feeding a bigger group, consider adding some buffalo wings or celery and carrot sticks with blue cheese dip to round out your pizza party menu.
Storage Instructions
Keep Fresh: Got leftover BBQ chicken pizza? Place the slices in an airtight container or wrap them tightly in aluminum foil. Pop them in the fridge and they’ll stay good for up to 3 days. I like to place pieces of parchment paper between the slices to prevent them from sticking together.
Freeze: This pizza freezes really well! Cut it into individual slices, wrap each piece in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil, and place in a freezer bag. It’ll keep for up to 2 months in the freezer. Perfect for those busy nights when you need a quick dinner!
Reheat: For the best results, warm up refrigerated slices in a 350°F oven for about 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melty again. If reheating from frozen, add an extra 5-7 minutes. While you can use the microwave, the crust won’t be as crispy – but it’s still tasty in a pinch!
| Preparation Time | 10-15 minutes |
| Cooking Time | 15-20 minutes |
| Total Time | 25-35 minutes |
| Level of Difficulty | Easy |
Estimated Nutrition
Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):
- Calories: 2200-2500
- Protein: 120-140 g
- Fat: 100-120 g
- Carbohydrates: 200-220 g
Ingredients
- 1 (12-inch) pre-cooked pizza base
- 1 cup tangy bbq sauce
- 2 skinless, boneless cooked chicken breast halves, diced
- 1 cup sliced pepperoncini
- 1 cup finely chopped red onion
- 1/2 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- 2 cups shredded colby-jack cheese
Step 1: Prepare and Preheat
Begin by gathering all your ingredients so they are within reach for easy assembly.
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) to ensure it’s ready for baking.
Step 2: Assemble the Pizza
Place the pizza crust on a baking sheet to provide a sturdy base for your toppings.
Evenly spread a layer of barbeque sauce over the crust, making sure to cover as much of the surface as possible to enhance flavor.
Step 3: Add Toppings
Top the sauced crust with pieces of cooked chicken, followed by slices of pepperoncini peppers and onions.
Sprinkle fresh cilantro on top for added flavor and freshness.
These toppings layer the pizza with robust taste and texture.
Step 4: Cover with Cheese
Generously cover the toppings with Colby-Jack cheese, ensuring an even layer so the cheese melts uniformly, creating a gooey and delicious finish.
Step 5: Bake the Pizza
Bake the assembled pizza in the preheated oven for about 15 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
The sensory cues of a golden brown cheese crust indicate that your pizza is ready to be enjoyed.
Step 6: Serve and Enjoy
Once baked, remove the pizza from the oven and let it sit for a minute before slicing to ensure neat portions.
Serve hot and enjoy your delicious barbecue chicken pizza with a crispy crust and melted cheesy goodness!