BBQ Chicken Pizza Recipe Homemade Easy
There’s something universally comforting about homemade pizza. The smell of it baking, the anticipation of that first cheesy bite – it’s a weekly ritual in our house. While the classics are always great, this BBQ Chicken Pizza has a special place on our dinner table. It’s the one I’m asked to make again and again, combining the smoky, tangy sweetness of good barbecue sauce with tender chicken, sharp red onion, and a generous layer of gloriously melty cheese. It strikes that perfect balance between indulgent and satisfying.
What I love most about this recipe is how it transforms simple, accessible ingredients into something truly special. It’s not about complicated techniques or fancy equipment; it’s about layering flavours that work so well together. The base is crisp, the toppings are savoury and rich, and the whole thing just sings. I make this at least once a week – it’s become a family favourite that disappears almost as soon as it comes out of the oven.
This homemade pizza is ideal when you want to elevate your Friday night takeaway habit or just fancy a delicious, hands-on meal. It’s a joy to make, whether you’re cooking for yourself, your family, or a few friends gathered in the kitchen. If you’re a fan of chicken pizza with a bit of a twist, this one is definitely for you.
Recipe Overview
This BBQ Chicken Pizza recipe delivers a fantastic combination of smoky, sweet, and savoury flavours on a perfectly cooked base. The chicken is kept tender and juicy, complemented by the slight crunch of red onion and creamy melted mozzarella. After testing this recipe five times, I finally got it just right, particularly the ratio of sauce to toppings, which ensures the base stays crisp and isn’t overwhelmed. It’s a straightforward recipe that produces brilliant results every time.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 12-15 minutes
- Total Time: Approx. 35 minutes
- Servings: 4 people (makes two 12-inch pizzas)
- Difficulty: Easy
Why You’ll Love This BBQ Chicken Pizza
- Genuine Flavour: The depth of flavour here is fantastic. We use a good quality, smoky BBQ sauce as the base, which caramelises slightly in the hot oven. This pairs beautifully with the seasoned chicken, the sharp bite of the red onion, and the creamy mozzarella.
- Ready in Under 40 Minutes: From getting your ingredients out to pulling a bubbling, golden pizza from the oven, the whole process comes together in about 35 minutes. It’s a wonderful option for a satisfying weeknight meal.
- Flexible Recipe: This recipe is a great starting point. You can add sliced peppers for sweetness, a few jalapeños for heat, or even some sweetcorn. Don’t have mozzarella? Smoked Gouda or a mature cheddar also works wonderfully.
- Great for Casual Dinners: It’s a brilliant choice for a relaxed family dinner or when you have friends over. Everyone seems to love this pizza, and it feels a bit more special than ordering a takeaway. It’s also a fun one to get the kids involved with assembling.
- Family Tested: My whole family enjoys this one, and it always gets compliments when we serve it to guests. Even my pickiest eater is a fan, which is always a significant win in my book!
Ingredients You’ll Need
For the best results, try to use fresh ingredients. I often use a good quality store-bought pizza dough to save time, but if you want to make your own, this basic pizza dough recipe from BBC Good Food is excellent. For the BBQ sauce, I recommend using one with a good smoky profile, like Bull’s-Eye or a similar style.
- For the Pizza:
- 500g pizza dough (store-bought or homemade), at room temperature
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 300g), cut into 2cm cubes
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 150ml smoky BBQ sauce, plus extra for drizzling
- 200g mozzarella cheese, grated
- 1 small red onion, very thinly sliced
- A small handful of fresh coriander, chopped (optional)
- A little plain flour or cornmeal, for dusting
Marcus’s Tip: Always grate your own mozzarella from a block. The pre-shredded bags contain anti-caking agents which can give the cheese a slightly powdery texture and prevent it from melting into those lovely, gooey pools we all want on a pizza.
How to Make BBQ Chicken Pizza
This process is all about preparation. Once you have your toppings ready and the oven is hot, the final assembly and cooking happen very quickly. We’re aiming for a crisp base, perfectly cooked toppings, and beautifully melted cheese.
- Preheat Your Oven: Place a pizza stone or a heavy, inverted baking tray on the middle rack of your oven. Preheat the oven to its highest setting, usually around 240°C (220°C fan). A scorching hot surface is key for a crispy base.
- Cook the Chicken: In a bowl, toss the cubed chicken with the olive oil, smoked paprika, garlic powder, a pinch of salt, and a good grind of black pepper. Heat a frying pan over a medium-high heat and cook the chicken for 5-7 minutes, until it’s cooked through and slightly golden. Set aside.
- Prepare the Dough: Lightly flour your work surface. Divide the pizza dough into two equal portions. Gently stretch or roll one portion into a round, approximately 12 inches (30cm) in diameter. I find that using my knuckles to stretch the dough is gentler than a rolling pin and helps create a lovely, airy crust.
- Assemble the Pizza: Carefully remove the hot pizza stone or tray from the oven. Lightly dust it with flour or cornmeal to prevent sticking. Place your stretched dough onto the hot surface.
- Add the Sauce and Toppings: Working quickly, spread half of the BBQ sauce evenly over the dough, leaving a small 1cm border around the edge. Scatter half of the grated mozzarella over the sauce, followed by half of the cooked chicken and half of the sliced red onion.
- Bake to Perfection: Place the pizza back in the hot oven and bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is melted and bubbling. The exact time will depend on your oven’s ferocity.
- Finish and Serve: Carefully remove the pizza from the oven. Let it rest for a minute before drizzling with a little extra BBQ sauce and scattering over the fresh coriander, if using. Slice and serve immediately while it’s hot. Repeat the process for the second pizza.
Tips From My Kitchen
- Temperature is Everything: A super-hot oven is non-negotiable for a great homemade pizza. Preheating your pizza stone or steel for at least 45 minutes mimics the intense heat of a professional pizza oven, cooking the base quickly for that perfect crisp-chewy texture.
- The Secret Step: I learned that adding the red onion on top of the cheese, rather than underneath, is the way to go. It allows the onion to char just slightly at the edges, which brings out its sweetness and adds another layer of flavour.
- Make-Ahead: You can prepare all the components in advance. The chicken can be cooked and stored in the fridge for up to 2 days. The onion can be sliced and kept in a sealed container. This turns pizza night into a super-fast assembly job. Another great make-ahead meal is our Creamy Chicken And Rice Recipe One Pot Meal.
- Storage: Leftovers are fantastic! Store cooled pizza slices in an airtight container or wrapped in foil in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat, place on a dry frying pan over medium heat for a few minutes to crisp up the base again.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Using Too Much Sauce: It’s tempting to be generous with the BBQ sauce, but too much will make the base soggy and prevent it from crisping up. A thin, even layer is all you need for great flavour.
- A Lukewarm Oven: Putting your pizza into an oven that isn’t fully preheated is a recipe for a pale, soft, and disappointing crust. Give your oven plenty of time to reach its maximum temperature before you start baking.
- Overloading with Toppings: Piling on too many toppings insulates the dough from the heat, leading to a doughy, undercooked base. Be restrained – each topping should have its space to shine and cook properly.
Delicious Variations to Try
Once you’ve mastered the basic recipe, it’s fun to experiment. This pizza is a brilliant canvas for other flavours.
- Spicy Kick: For those who like a bit of heat, add thinly sliced fresh red chillies or pickled jalapeños along with the other toppings. A pinch of chilli flakes mixed into the BBQ sauce also works well.
- Add Some Greens: A handful of fresh rocket (arugula) tossed over the pizza just before serving adds a lovely, peppery contrast to the rich toppings.
- Different Cheese Blend: Try swapping half the mozzarella for smoked Gouda or Provolone. This adds an incredible smoky depth that complements the BBQ sauce perfectly.
What to Serve With BBQ Chicken Pizza
While this pizza is a complete meal in itself, a few simple sides can round it out beautifully.
- Simple Green Salad: A crisp salad with a sharp lemon and olive oil vinaigrette is the perfect counterpoint to the rich pizza. It cleanses the palate between bites.
- Drink Pairing: A cold, crisp lager or a pale ale cuts through the sweetness of the sauce brilliantly. For wine lovers, a soft, low-tannin red like a Merlot works well.
– Garlic Dough Balls: Use some of your extra pizza dough to make simple garlic dough balls for dipping into any leftover sauce.
Frequently Asked Questions
BBQ Chicken Pizza
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat Your Oven: Place a pizza stone or a heavy, inverted baking tray on the middle rack of your oven. Preheat the oven to its highest setting, usually around 240°C (220°C fan). A scorching hot surface is key for a crispy base.
- Cook the Chicken: In a bowl, toss the cubed chicken with the olive oil, smoked paprika, garlic powder, a pinch of salt, and a good grind of black pepper. Heat a frying pan over a medium-high heat and cook the chicken for 5-7 minutes, until it's cooked through and slightly golden. Set aside.
- Prepare the Dough: Lightly flour your work surface. Divide the pizza dough into two equal portions. Gently stretch or roll one portion into a round, approximately 12 inches (30cm) in diameter. I find that using my knuckles to stretch the dough is gentler than a rolling pin and helps create a lovely, airy crust.
- Assemble the Pizza: Carefully remove the hot pizza stone or tray from the oven. Lightly dust it with flour or cornmeal to prevent sticking. Place your stretched dough onto the hot surface.
- Add the Sauce and Toppings: Working quickly, spread half of the BBQ sauce evenly over the dough, leaving a small 1cm border around the edge. Scatter half of the grated mozzarella over the sauce, followed by half of the cooked chicken and half of the sliced red onion.
- Bake to Perfection: Place the pizza back in the hot oven and bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is melted and bubbling. The exact time will depend on your oven's ferocity.
- Finish and Serve: Carefully remove the pizza from the oven. Let it rest for a minute before drizzling with a little extra BBQ sauce and scattering over the fresh coriander, if using. Slice and serve immediately while it’s hot. Repeat the process for the second pizza.
Notes
There you have it – a truly delicious homemade BBQ Chicken Pizza that, I hope, will become a new favourite in your home too. It’s a rewarding and flavourful meal that brings everyone to the table. If you’re looking for another great family meal idea, our Easy Ground Beef Tacos always go down a treat. And for dessert, why not try a Giant Skillet Cookie? Please give this recipe a try, and I’d love to hear how you get on in the comments below!
