Chicken BBQ Pizza (Printer-friendly)

A smoky pizza with tangy BBQ sauce, grilled chicken, onions, and melted cheese baked to golden perfection.

# What You'll Need:

→ Dough

01 - 1 prepared pizza dough (approximately 8.8–10.6 oz)

→ Sauce

02 - 1/2 cup barbecue sauce, plus additional for drizzling

→ Chicken

03 - 1 large grilled chicken breast, sliced (approximately 7 oz)

→ Vegetables

04 - 1/2 small red onion, thinly sliced

→ Cheese

05 - 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (approximately 5.3 oz)
06 - 1/2 cup shredded smoked gouda or cheddar cheese (approximately 1.8 oz)

→ Garnish

07 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro (optional)

# How To Make It:

01 - Set oven to 450°F. If available, place pizza stone inside to preheat.
02 - Stretch or roll the dough into a 12-inch round on a floured surface. Transfer onto a parchment-lined baking sheet or a pizza peel.
03 - Spread barbecue sauce evenly over the dough, leaving a small border for the crust.
04 - Arrange grilled chicken slices evenly on top of the sauce.
05 - Sprinkle shredded mozzarella followed by smoked gouda or cheddar evenly over the chicken.
06 - Distribute thin red onion slices over the cheeses.
07 - Place pizza in the preheated oven and bake for 12 to 15 minutes until crust is golden and cheese is bubbly and browned.
08 - Remove pizza from oven. Drizzle with extra barbecue sauce and sprinkle chopped cilantro if desired. Slice and serve immediately.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It tastes like you spent hours in a smoky kitchen when you actually spent twenty minutes tops.
  • The smoked gouda brings a depth that makes people ask for the recipe before they've even finished their first slice.
  • You can have it on the table faster than delivery would arrive, without the grease-stained box.
02 -
  • The crust needs a head start in a truly hot oven, or you'll end up with a floppy, undercooked bottom no matter how long you bake it—temperature is not negotiable here.
  • Pre-shredded cheese has anti-caking powder that prevents it from melting smoothly, so spend the extra minute and shred it fresh, or buy a block and grate it yourself.
03 -
  • If your pizza stone cracks, it's because you took it out of a cold oven and hit it with cold water—let it cool gradually on its own and it'll last years.
  • Tear or shred fresh mozzarella by hand instead of shredding it if you want it to melt into actual pools instead of staying in distinct pieces.
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