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BBQ Chicken Pizza 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.

Ingredients

Scale

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