BBQ Chicken Pizza Recipe

If you’re craving a homemade pizza packed with bold flavors, this BBQ Chicken Pizza is the perfect choice. Made with tender chicken, smoky Gouda, gooey mozzarella, tangy barbecue sauce, and fresh red onions, this easy pizza recipe delivers restaurant-quality results right from your kitchen. Whether it’s for a busy weeknight dinner or a fun family pizza night, this recipe is simple to prepare and guaranteed to impress.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Quick and easy to prepare
• Perfect for weeknight dinners
• Crispy homemade pizza crust
• Sweet, smoky, and savory flavors
• Family-friendly and crowd-pleasing
• Great way to use leftover cooked chicken
• Easy to customize with your favorite toppings

Ingredients

• ½ recipe homemade pizza dough (or 1 pound store-bought pizza dough)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil, divided
• 1 tablespoon cornmeal
• ⅓ cup plus 2 tablespoons barbecue sauce
• 1 cup chopped or shredded cooked chicken
• ⅔ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• ⅔ cup shredded smoked Gouda cheese
• ½ small red onion, thinly sliced
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro (or fresh basil)

Instructions

1. Prepare the pizza dough according to your favorite recipe or thaw store-bought dough completely.
2. Preheat the oven to 475°F (246°C) for at least 20 minutes. If using a pizza stone, place it inside the oven while preheating.
3. Lightly grease a pizza pan or baking sheet with half the olive oil and sprinkle with cornmeal.
4. On a lightly floured surface, shape the dough into a 12-inch circle about ½-inch thick. Let it rest for 5–10 minutes if it shrinks while stretching.
5. Transfer the dough to the prepared pan and pinch the edges to form a crust.
6. Press small dimples into the dough using your fingertips to reduce bubbling.
7. Brush the remaining olive oil over the crust.
8. Spread ⅓ cup barbecue sauce evenly over the dough.
9. Toss the cooked chicken with the remaining barbecue sauce and distribute evenly across the BBQ Chicken Pizza.
10. Sprinkle the mozzarella and smoked Gouda evenly over the chicken.
11. Add the sliced red onion on top.
12. Bake for 14–15 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is bubbly.
13. Remove the pizza from the oven and garnish with chopped cilantro or fresh basil.
14. Slice and serve immediately while hot.

Tips & Tricks

• Use freshly shredded cheese for the smoothest melt and best flavor.
• Rotisserie chicken is a convenient shortcut that saves time.
• Let refrigerated dough sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes before stretching.
• Bake on a preheated pizza stone for an extra crispy crust.
• Add sliced jalapeños if you like a little heat.
• Swap smoked Gouda with cheddar, Monterey Jack, or provolone if preferred.
• Avoid overloading the pizza with sauce to keep the crust crisp.

Details

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes

Yield: 8 slices

Category: Main Course

Method: Baking

Cuisine: American

Difficulty: Easy

Dietary Notes: Halal-Friendly, Nut-Free

Notes

• Fresh basil makes an excellent substitute for cilantro.
• Add mushrooms, bell peppers, or sweet corn for extra vegetables.
• Homemade barbecue sauce adds even more flavor if you have time.
• Serve with coleslaw, potato wedges, or a crisp garden salad.
• Sprinkle a little Parmesan cheese over the pizza before serving for extra richness.

Nutrition (Approximate Per Slice)

• Calories: 315
• Protein: 17g
• Carbohydrates: 28g
• Fat: 15g
• Saturated Fat: 6g
• Fiber: 2g
• Sugar: 7g
• Sodium: 590mg

FAQ

Can I make BBQ Chicken Pizza ahead of time?

Yes. Assemble the pizza several hours in advance, cover it, and refrigerate until you’re ready to bake.

Can I freeze BBQ Chicken Pizza?

Absolutely. Bake the pizza first, allow it to cool completely, then wrap individual slices tightly and freeze for up to three months.

What cheese works best for BBQ Chicken Pizza?

Mozzarella provides the perfect stretch, while smoked Gouda adds a rich smoky flavor. You can also use cheddar, Monterey Jack, or provolone.

Can I use leftover grilled chicken?

Yes. Leftover grilled, roasted, or rotisserie chicken works wonderfully and adds even more flavor.

Can I use homemade pizza dough?

Definitely. Homemade pizza dough creates the best texture and gives this homemade BBQ pizza a bakery-quality crust.

What barbecue sauce should I use?

Use your favorite sweet, smoky, spicy, or honey barbecue sauce depending on your taste preferences.

Storage

Refrigerator: Store leftover pizza in an airtight container for up to 5 days.

Freezer: Wrap slices individually with plastic wrap and aluminum foil, then freeze for up to 3 months.

Reheating: Reheat in a 375°F (190°C) oven for 8–10 minutes or in an air fryer for 3–4 minutes until the crust is crisp and the cheese is hot.

Similar Recipes

• Chicken with Coconut Kale
• Chicken Teriyaki Burgers

BBQ Chicken Pizza Recipe

BBQ Chicken Pizza is an easy homemade pizza topped with barbecue sauce, juicy chicken, mozzarella, smoked Gouda, and red onion.

Bake until golden and bubbly for a restaurant-quality meal.

Perfect for weeknight dinners, parties, and family pizza nights.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 14 minutes mins

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Ingredients

  

• ½ recipe homemade pizza dough or 1 pound store-bought pizza dough
• 1 tablespoon olive oil divided
• 1 tablespoon cornmeal
• ⅓ cup plus 2 tablespoons barbecue sauce
• 1 cup chopped or shredded cooked chicken
• ⅔ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• ⅔ cup shredded smoked Gouda cheese
• ½ small red onion thinly sliced
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro or fresh basil

Instructions

 

• Prepare the pizza dough according to your favorite recipe or thaw store-bought dough completely.
• Preheat the oven to 475°F (246°C) for at least 20 minutes. If using a pizza stone, place it inside the oven while preheating.
• Lightly grease a pizza pan or baking sheet with half the olive oil and sprinkle with cornmeal.
• On a lightly floured surface, shape the dough into a 12-inch circle about ½-inch thick. Let it rest for 5–10 minutes if it shrinks while stretching.
• Transfer the dough to the prepared pan and pinch the edges to form a crust.
• Press small dimples into the dough using your fingertips to reduce bubbling.
• Brush the remaining olive oil over the crust.
• Spread ⅓ cup barbecue sauce evenly over the dough.
• Toss the cooked chicken with the remaining barbecue sauce and distribute evenly across the BBQ Chicken Pizza.
• Sprinkle the mozzarella and smoked Gouda evenly over the chicken.
• Add the sliced red onion on top.
• Bake for 14–15 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is bubbly.
• Remove the pizza from the oven and garnish with chopped cilantro or fresh basil.
• Slice and serve immediately while hot.

Notes

• Fresh basil makes an excellent substitute for cilantro.
• Add mushrooms, bell peppers, or sweet corn for extra vegetables.
• Homemade barbecue sauce adds even more flavor if you have time.
• Serve with coleslaw, potato wedges, or a crisp garden salad.
• Sprinkle a little Parmesan cheese over the pizza before serving for extra richness

Conclusion

This BBQ Chicken Pizza is everything you want in a homemade pizza—crispy crust, smoky barbecue sauce, juicy chicken, melty mozzarella, and rich smoked Gouda in every bite. It’s an easy pizza recipe that’s perfect for family dinners, casual gatherings, or weekend pizza nights. Once you try this homemade BBQ pizza, it’s sure to become one of your favorite go-to recipes.