Barbecue chicken pizza is a delicious twist on classic pizza that combines smoky, savory barbecue sauce and chicken with pizza dough and mozzarella cheese. With the right combination of ingredients, bbq chicken pizza can be an absolute hit. But what exactly goes into making this tasty pizza? Here is an in-depth look at what goes on bbq chicken pizza and how to make it right.
Choosing the Pizza Crust
The foundation of any good bbq chicken pizza is the crust. You want a crust that can hold up to the thick, saucy toppings while still being crisp. Here are some of the best options for bbq chicken pizza crust:
Thin Crust
A thin, crisp crust is a great contrast to the saucy bbq chicken pizza toppings. The crunch stands up well against the juicy chicken and soft cheeses. Use a store-bought thin crust or make your own by rolling or stretching pizza dough thinly. Bake until golden brown.
Thick Crust
For a more hearty, filling pizza, choose a thick, soft crust. The dough should have some air pockets and chew. Deep dish pizza crusts work well, as do pre-made fresh pizza doughs from markets. Par-bake the crust before adding toppings.
Cauliflower Crust
For a low-carb option, use a cauliflower pizza crust. These are made by pulsing cauliflower into crumbs and then mixing with eggs and cheese to form a dough. Bake into a crispy crust before loading on the bbq toppings.
Cornmeal or Semolina Dusting
Dusting the pizza peel or pan with cornmeal or semolina before placing the crust on it will help achieve a nice crisp bottom as the bbq chicken pizza bakes. The coarse grains keep the crust from sticking.
Picking the Right BBQ Sauce
Barbecue sauce really makes this pizza, so choose wisely to get the best results. Consider the following bbq sauces for pizza:
Sweet and Tangy
Sweet and tangy bbq sauces pair wonderfully with chicken. They typically use a ketchup base along with brown sugar, vinegar, Worcestershire sauce and spices. Try Sweet Baby Ray’s or KC Masterpiece.
Smokey
For a true barbecue flavor, look for deeper, smokier sauces without too much sweetness. Texas-style and St. Louis-style bbq sauces are good options. Use a light hand so it doesn’t overwhelm.
Spicy
If you like heat, use a bbq sauce with some kick. Many peppery, chili-laced bbq sauces complement chicken well. Be sure to warn guests before serving!
White
Alabama-style white bbq sauce offers a mayonnaise-based, tangy twist. It makes a lighter colored pizza for something different. Add some blackened seasoning to the chicken to complement.
Make Your Own
You can easily whip up your own bbq sauce. Cook ketchup, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, Worcestershire, garlic, onion and chili powder to taste.
Choosing the Right Chicken
Tender, juicy chicken is what really makes this pizza come alive. Consider these options:
Grilled Chicken
For maximum flavor, grill chicken breasts, thighs or legs until lightly charred and cooked through. Let rest then slice or shred to top the pizza.
Rotisserie Chicken
Use store-bought rotisserie chicken for an easy shortcut. Pull or shred the seasoned meat and scatter over the sauce topped crust.
Smoked Chicken
For authentic barbecue flavor, diced smoked chicken is ideal. Most delis offer it ready to go. Or smoke your own chicken for 1-2 hours at 225°F for the best results.
Chicken Sausage
Topping bbq chicken pizza with some sliced chicken sausage adds extra protein and a fun twist. Look for pre-cooked sausage to just slice and add.
Caramelized Onions
Cooking down onions until browned and sweet provides a nice balance to the barbecue flavors. Scatter them over the pizza before or after baking.
More Classic Pizza Toppings
In addition to chicken and bbq sauce, consider adding these tried and true pizza toppings:
Mozzarella Cheese
What’s pizza without melty mozzarella? Shredded whole milk or low moisture mozz works best. Add it before or after baking the pizza.
Cheddar Cheese
For a more complex flavor, use shredded cheddar cheese in addition to or instead of the mozzarella. Aged cheddar is a tasty choice.
Red Onion
Thinly sliced red onions add a zesty crunch and flavor pop. Caramelize them first for even more depth.
Bell Pepper
Thinly slice colorful bell peppers like red, yellow or orange to scatter over the bbq chicken pizza. They add a fresh note.
Mushrooms
Meaty mushrooms like cremini are perfect on bbq chicken pizza. Sauté them first until lightly browned and softened.
Fresh Cilantro
Chopped fresh cilantro brightens up the flavors nicely. Add it as a finishing touch after baking.
Jalapeños
If you like spicy, slice up some fresh jalapeños and sprinkle over top. Pickled jalapeño peppers also work well.
Cooking the BBQ Chicken Pizza
With all the tasty ingredients assembled, it’s time for the fun part – cooking this pizza! Here are some tips:
- Pre-bake the crust: Par-baking before adding toppings prevents a soggy crust. Bake at 425°F for 8-10 minutes.
- Spread sauce first: Cover crust generously with bbq sauce for great coverage and to prevent burning.
- Use plenty of cheese: Don’t skimp on the cheese between chicken layer and sauce layer.
- Top chicken last: Add shredded chicken right before baking so it doesn’t dry out.
- Finish under broiler: Broil for 1-3 minutes until cheese melts and chars slightly.
- Let rest before cutting: Allow the pizza to rest for 5 minutes before slicing so cheese sets up.
- Use a pizza cutter: Cut into squares with a sharp pizza cutter for neat slices that hold toppings.
BBQ Chicken Pizza FAQs
Still have questions? Here are some commonly asked FAQs about making barbecue chicken pizza at home:
Should I use fresh or frozen chicken?
Fresh chicken tends to have the best flavor and texture once cooked. Boneless skinless chicken breasts, thighs or tenders work well.
How do I prep the chicken?
Trim chicken of any fat or sinew. Cut into 1/2″ dice. Season with salt, pepper and smoked paprika. Grill, saute or bake until cooked through and browned.
What temp should I bake bbq chicken pizza at?
Crank the oven to 450°F or 500°F for the best results. The high heat will make the crust crispy and nicely brown the toppings.
How long does it take to pre-bake the crust?
Most fresh and frozen crusts take 7-10 minutes to par-bake at 425°F. Watch closely as thin crusts can over-brown quickly.
What’s the best veggie topping combo?
Red onion, bell pepper, mushrooms and jalapeno is a classic mix of textures and flavors for veggie bbq chicken pizzas.
How can I prevent a soggy pizza crust?
Par-bake the crust, don’t overload toppings, drizzle sauce sparingly, and place pizza on a rack to allow air circulation while baking.
Can I put the pizza directly on the rack?
Yes, placing the pizza directly on an oven rack allows for a crisper crust. Use a pizza peel to transfer in and out of oven.
What dipping sauces go well with bbq chicken pizza?
Ranch, blue cheese and more bbq sauce are all great for dipping. For bonus points, make your own pizzas into dippers!
Get Creative with BBQ Chicken Pizza
Now that you know what goes on bbq chicken pizza and how to make it right, it’s time to get creative! Here are some fun flavor twist ideas:
- Mexican bbq chicken pizza with queso fresco, corn, black beans and cilantro
- Hawaiian bbq chicken pizza with pineapple and ham
- Greek bbq chicken pizza with feta, olives, onion and banana peppers
- Buffalo bbq chicken pizza with spicy buffalo sauce and blue cheese crumbles
- Thai bbq chicken pizza with peanut sauce, shredded cabbage and peanuts
- Taco bbq chicken pizza with tortilla chips, shredded lettuce, pico de gallo
- Bbq chicken breakfast pizza with scrambled eggs, bacon and potato
- Dessert bbq chicken pizza with cinnamon sugar crust and apple compote
The possibilities are truly endless when you’re working with bbq sauce, chicken and a crispy crust. Come up with your own signature bbq chicken pizza for a fun and easy meal everyone will love!
Conclusion
Creating the perfect barbecue chicken pizza at home is easy when you use the right ingredients and techniques. Start with a crispy crust, smoky barbecue sauce and juicy grilled chicken. Add classic pizza toppings like red onion, bell pepper and gooey cheese for an instant hit. Finish it with fresh garnishes like cilantro or jalapeño and serve it up sliced into squares. Impress your family and friends by getting creative and making one of the flavored twists. With the right balance of flavors and textures, bbq chicken pizza makes for the perfect Friday night meal, game day treat or weeknight dinner.