We enjoy making pizza frequently because it’s both easy and customizable. The versatility of ingredients makes creating a pizza a fun and exciting experience! If you’re looking to switch things up for pizza night, try this incredible BBQ chicken pizza recipe.
Originating from California Pizza Kitchen in the mid-1980s, this unique pizza was brought to life by the talented chef Ed La Dou. This pizza is unquestionably a delightful twist that can truly elevate your meal. Who Invented BBQ Chicken Pizza? | Hungry Howies
Healthier, Fresh BBQ Chicken Recipe vs Frozen Pizza
For a healthier option, our homemade BBQ chicken recipe outshines frozen pizzas in every way. This recipe utilizes Chicken-Pressure Canned, BBQ Sauce- Water Bath Canned, and fresh pizza dough for a satisfyingly delicious dinner. It’s quick to prepare, especially if you’ve prepped the dough in advance or parbaked it.
When compared to frozen pizzas, homemade versions are a significant upgrade, bursting with natural ingredients free from preservatives and additives. Consider the stark difference between the ingredients in a frozen pizza and the wholesome components of this recipe. Here is an example of a food label of frozen BBQ chicken pizza.
Preparation, Servings, and Storage
This recipe for bbq chicken pizza can easily be prepared in as little as 25 minutes. The pizza dough can be made ahead of time and either frozen as a dough ball or par baked and frozen. To thaw the dough ball, remove from the freezer and thaw overnight in the refrigerator. On the other hand, par baked pizza crust can be used frozen, just add the sauce and toppings and bake at 425°F for 20-25 minutes.
For maximum convenience, consider prepping the bacon ahead of time. Chop it and store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to five days.
The ease and convivence of having pressure canned chicken is evident in this recipe. With this in mind, it saves time in preparing the pizza. All you have to do is open the jar, drain the liquid and shred the chicken. Plus, having homemade BBQ sauce on hand adds an incredible flavor to this pizza.
This recipe is for one 12 inch pizza. It is best served hot, but leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 4 days.
BBQ Chicken Pizza
Equipment
- stand mixer
- 12 inch pizza pan
- sheet pan
Ingredients
Pizza Dough
- 1 tsp Sugar
- 1 tsp Instant yeast
- 1 tsp Sea salt
- 2/3 cups Warm water
- 2 tsp Olive oil
- 1⅔ cup Bread flour
Toppings
- 3 strips Bacon
- 1 pint jar Canned chicken (approx. 1 #)
- 1 cup BBQ sauce
- 1 tbsp Olive oil
- 1 tsp Garlic powder
- 1/4 cup Hot banana peppers
- 1/4 cup Yellow onions (diced)
- 1 cup Freshly shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/4 cup Freshly shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 tbsp Fresh chopped cilantro
Instructions
Pizza Dough
- To make the pizza dough, combine the sugar, yeast, sea salt and warm water into the bowl of a stand mixer. Allow to rest for a few minutes for the yeast to bloom. It will become a little foamy on top.
- Add the bread flour and oil to the mixing bowl.
- Using the dough hook attachment, slowly knead the dough until the flour is cleaned off the bowl and the dough is a soft dough ball. This should take about 8-10 minutes.
- Cover the bowl with a tea towel and allow to rise at room temperature for 2 hours or place in the refrigerator for 8 hours for a slow rise. If refrigerating the dough, remove from the refrigerator an hour before assembling the pizza so that the dough warms up and is easy to shape.
Toppings
- Cook bacon until crispy, either in a skillet or baked in a 350℉ oven for about 20-25 minutes or until nice and crispy.
- Preheat the oven to 425℉
- In a mixing bowl, combine shredded chicken and a 1/2 cup of BBQ sauce. Stir to cover all the chicken with the BBQ sauce.
- Flour the work surface for the pizza dough and stretch into a 12-inch pizza circle. Place the dough onto a pizza pan.
- Spread the remainder 1/2 cup of BBQ sauce over the center of the pizza dough, leaving an inch around the outside not sauced.
- Using a pastry brush, lightly brush the outer crust of the dough with olive oil.
- Sprinkle the garlic powder onto the oiled dough. This will give the crust a garlic bread like flavor.
- Evenly spread the BBQ chicken over the entire sauced pizza.
- Sprinkle the chopped, crispy bacon over the chicken.
- Cover the chicken and bacon with the cheeses.
- Evenly sprinkle the banana peppers, onion, and cilantro over the cheese.
- Bake the BBQ chicken pizza for 15-20minutes, or until the crust is crispy on the bottom and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- After removing the pizza from the oven, allow to rest for 5 minutes before cutting.
Nutrition
