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BBQ Chicken Pizza Recipe

4.5 from 94 reviews

This BBQ Chicken Pizza features a homemade or store-bought pizza dough base topped with tender chicken marinated in BBQ sauce, a blend of mozzarella and gouda cheeses, red onions, and fresh cilantro. Cooked to perfection in the oven, this savory and slightly sweet pizza is perfect for a delicious and satisfying meal.

Ingredients

Scale

Pizza Dough

  • 1 homemade or store-bought pizza dough

Chicken and Marinade

  • 23 chicken cutlets*
  • 1 cup BBQ sauce (e.g. Sweet Baby Rays), divided
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, plus extra for drizzle

Toppings

  • ½ red onion, thinly sliced
  • 2 cups mozzarella cheese, grated (divided: 1½ cups + remaining for topping)
  • ½ cup gouda cheese, grated (divided: ¼ cup + remaining for topping)
  • 12 tablespoons fresh cilantro leaves, roughly chopped
  • Fresh ground black pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven and Marinate Chicken: Preheat your oven to 425˚F (220˚C). Place the chicken cutlets in a bowl and marinate them with ½ cup of BBQ sauce for 25-30 minutes to infuse flavor.
  2. Prepare and Chill Dough: Roll out the pizza dough into a 12-inch circle and place it in the refrigerator to chill while you prepare other ingredients. This will help maintain its shape during cooking.
  3. Cook Chicken: Heat a drizzle of olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the marinated chicken cutlets and cook for 7-10 minutes, turning occasionally, until the chicken is cooked through and no longer pink inside. Remove from heat and let cool slightly, then slice into bite-size pieces.
  4. Assemble Pizza Base: Remove the chilled pizza dough from the refrigerator. Brush the surface gently with olive oil, then spread the remaining BBQ sauce evenly over the dough, leaving the edges clear to form a crust.
  5. Add Cheese and Toppings: Sprinkle 1½ cups of mozzarella and ¼ cup of gouda cheese evenly over the pizza. Next, distribute the cooked chicken pieces and thinly sliced red onion on top. Finish by sprinkling the remaining cheese over the toppings.
  6. Bake the Pizza: Transfer the assembled pizza to a round pizza pan or baking sheet. Place it on the middle rack of the preheated oven. Bake for 15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the crust is golden and crisp.
  7. Finish and Serve: Remove the pizza from the oven. Top with fresh chopped cilantro and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Slice and serve immediately for a delicious meal.

Notes

  • Marinate chicken for at least 25 minutes to allow the BBQ flavors to penetrate the meat thoroughly.
  • Use a pizza stone if available for an even crispier crust.
  • If you prefer a spicier pizza, use a BBQ sauce with added heat or sprinkle red pepper flakes on top before baking.
  • Leftover pizza can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days and reheated in the oven for best results.
  • Feel free to substitute gouda with smoked cheddar or Monterey Jack for a different flavor profile.

Keywords: BBQ Chicken Pizza, Homemade Pizza, BBQ Sauce, Chicken Cutlets, Mozzarella, Gouda, Oven-Baked Pizza