BBQ Chicken Pizza Recipe

Introduction

This BBQ Chicken Pizza is a delicious fusion of tangy barbecue sauce, tender shredded chicken, and caramelized onions atop a crispy homemade crust. Perfect for a weeknight dinner or a casual gathering, it’s a crowd-pleaser that’s simple to make and full of flavor.

Ingredients

• 1 cup of your favorite BBQ sauce
• 1 12″ pizza dough
• ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 2 chicken thighs
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• ¼ teaspoon salt and pepper
• ¼ cup thinly sliced red or white onion
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
• About 1 tablespoon cilantro, for sprinkling (optional)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Step 2: Season the chicken thighs lightly with salt and pepper on both sides. Heat the olive oil in a sauté pan over medium heat. Place the chicken in the pan, cover with a lid, and cook for about 5 minutes on each side until cooked through and tender.
3. Step 3: Remove the chicken from the pan and shred it using two forks. Toss the shredded chicken with 2 tablespoons of BBQ sauce to coat.
4. Step 4: In the same pan, add the sliced onions, red wine vinegar, and butter. Cook over low heat for 5 to 10 minutes until the onions begin to caramelize, then remove from heat.
5. Step 5: Line a baking sheet or pizza pan with parchment paper. Roll out the pizza dough into a 12-inch circle (or two 6-inch pies if preferred).
6. Step 6: Spread the remaining BBQ sauce evenly over the dough. Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese on top, then distribute the BBQ chicken and caramelized onions evenly over the pizza.
7. Step 7: Sprinkle with cilantro if desired, then bake in the preheated oven for about 13 minutes or until the crust is golden and crisp.

Tips & Variations

• For extra smoky flavor, use smoked mozzarella or add a few drops of liquid smoke to the BBQ sauce.
• Try swapping chicken thighs for chicken breasts if you prefer leaner meat.
• Feel free to add sliced jalapeños or red pepper flakes for a spicy kick.
• Using a pizza stone can help achieve an even crispier crust.

Storage

Store any leftover pizza in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in a preheated oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 5 to 7 minutes to keep the crust crisp. Avoid microwaving if possible, as it can make the crust soggy.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use store-bought cooked chicken instead of cooking thighs?

Yes, pre-cooked chicken can be shredded and tossed with BBQ sauce to save time. Just skip the cooking step and proceed with assembling the pizza.

Is it necessary to caramelize the onions?

Caramelizing the onions adds a sweet, rich flavor that complements the BBQ chicken beautifully, but you can skip this step for a quicker version and use raw thinly sliced onions instead.

BBQ Chicken Pizza Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

5 from 98 reviews

This BBQ Chicken Pizza combines tender shredded chicken thighs cooked in a smoky BBQ sauce with caramelized onions and melted mozzarella cheese on a crispy homemade pizza crust. Perfectly balanced with a touch of fresh cilantro, this recipe delivers a delightful blend of smoky, savory, and tangy flavors baked to golden perfection.

• Author: Felix
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 1 12-inch pizza 1x
• Category: Pizza
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Chicken

• 2 chicken thighs
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• ¼ teaspoon salt and pepper
• 2 tablespoons BBQ sauce (for tossing shredded chicken)

Pizza

• 1 cup of your favorite BBQ Sauce
• 1 12″ pizza dough
• ½ cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
• ¼ cup red or white onion, thinly sliced
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
• Cilantro, about 1 tablespoon for sprinkling on top (optional)

Instructions

1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) to prepare for baking the pizza.
2. Cook Chicken: Lightly season both sides of the chicken thighs with salt and pepper. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a sauté pan over medium heat, then add chicken and cover with a lid. Cook about 5 minutes on each side to steam and lock in moisture, resulting in tender chicken.
3. Shred Chicken: Once cooked through, transfer the chicken to a bowl and shred it finely using two forks. Toss shredded chicken with 2 tablespoons of BBQ sauce to coat it evenly.
4. Caramelize Onions: In the same pan used for the chicken, add sliced onions, 1 tablespoon butter, and 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar. Cook on low heat for 5-10 minutes until onions soften and caramelize, then remove from heat.
5. Prepare Dough: Line a baking sheet or pizza pan with parchment paper. Roll out your 12-inch pizza dough into a circle to fit on the pan.
6. Assemble Pizza: Spread 1 cup of BBQ sauce evenly over the rolled dough. Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese across the sauce. Evenly distribute the shredded BBQ chicken and caramelized onions over the cheese. Add chopped cilantro on top if desired for a fresh finish.
7. Bake Pizza: Place the pizza in the preheated oven and bake for approximately 13 minutes, or until the crust is golden and crispy on the bottom.

Notes

• Cooking chicken with the lid on helps retain moisture and results in tender, easily shreddable meat.
• Caramelizing onions adds a luscious sweetness that complements the smoky BBQ flavor.
• You can use red or white onions based on your preference; both work well for caramelizing.
• Adjust baking time slightly depending on your oven and thickness of dough.
• If desired, swap BBQ sauce with a homemade version for a personalized taste.
• Fresh cilantro is optional but adds a bright herbal note to balance the richness.

Keywords: BBQ Chicken Pizza, BBQ sauce pizza, caramelized onions, shredded chicken pizza, homemade pizza recipe, pizza with chicken, easy pizza recipe