Print
clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon

Easy BBQ Chicken Pizza Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.4 from 89 reviews
  • Author: Emma
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Total Time: 38 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x
  • Category: Pizza
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Description

This Easy BBQ Chicken Pizza combines tender shredded chicken coated in tangy BBQ sauce with gooey melted mozzarella, smoky paprika, and fresh cilantro, all atop a crispy homemade or store-bought pizza crust.

Ingredients

Units Scale

Ingredients

  • 2 cups chicken (cooked and shredded)
  • 2.5 cups mozzarella cheese (shredded)
  • 3/4 cup BBQ sauce (I use Sweet Baby Ray’s)
  • 1/2 red onion (thinly sliced)
  • cilantro (freshly chopped, for garnish)
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika

Instructions

  1. Preheat and Prepare Crust: Preheat your oven to 450°F. While the oven heats, prepare your pizza dough according to package directions or use store-bought dough, stretching it onto a pizza pan or baking sheet. Once the oven reaches temperature, place the dough in the oven and bake for 6 minutes to create a slight crust that will support the toppings without becoming soggy. This pre-bake is crucial—it prevents the bottom from staying doughy when you add all the wet BBQ toppings.
  2. Mix Chicken with BBQ Sauce: While the crust is pre-baking, combine the cooked and shredded chicken with 1/2 cup of the BBQ sauce in a bowl, stirring until the chicken is evenly coated. This creates a flavorful, moist topping rather than dry chicken. Reserve the remaining 1/4 cup of BBQ sauce for spreading on the crust.
  3. Assemble the Pizza: Remove the pre-baked crust from the oven and immediately spread the reserved 1/4 cup of BBQ sauce evenly across the surface. Sprinkle half of the mozzarella cheese (about 1.25 cups) over the sauce, then distribute the thinly sliced red onion evenly across the cheese. This layering sequence builds flavor and helps the onions stay tender while the cheese acts as a barrier to keep the crust from getting too wet.
  4. Add Chicken and Cheese: Spread the BBQ-coated chicken mixture from Step 2 evenly over the cheese and onion layer. Top with the remaining 1.25 cups of mozzarella cheese, distributing it so it covers all the chicken and will melt into a bubbly, golden layer. Sprinkle the smoked paprika over the top for a subtle depth of flavor and color. I like to add the paprika at this point rather than mixing it in because it creates a nice visual appearance and hints of smokiness on top.
  5. Bake Pizza: Place the assembled pizza back into the 450°F oven and bake for 10-15 minutes, until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and turning golden brown at the edges. The crust should be golden and crispy on the bottom. Remove from the oven and let rest for 2-3 minutes before slicing—this allows the cheese to set slightly so the toppings don’t slide off as easily.
  6. Serve: Slice the pizza and top with freshly chopped cilantro just before serving. The fresh cilantro adds brightness and a slight herbal note that balances the richness of the BBQ and cheese beautifully.

Notes

  • Pre-baking the crust is crucial to prevent soggy bottoms.
  • Adding smoked paprika on top creates a nice visual and smoky flavor.
  • Letting the pizza rest before slicing helps the cheese set and toppings stay in place.

Find it online: https://yumrecipesfood.com/easy-bbq-chicken-pizza-recipe/