BBQ Chicken Pizza

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This BBQ Chicken Pizza is loaded with smoky BBQ sauce, seasoned chicken, melty cheese, and crispy bacon. A surprisingly delicious combo that everyone will love!

A Fun Twist On Pizza Night

This BBQ Chicken Pizza has been my son’s favorite pizza recently. This kind of pizza has been around a while, and I think it was California Pizza kitchen that really popularized it! It’s so good and I’ve seen variations of it at other restaurants over the years.

Looking down on a BBQ Chicken Pizza on a pizza peel.

Frequently Asked Questions:

What else can I add to this pizza?

My son loves my Homemade Ranch Dressing to dip the pizza in. It hits sooooo good! But storebought ranch could work too. Add a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes for a spicy kick.

How can I get a good crispy crust?

It can seem hard to get a good crispy crust on pizzas cooked in a home oven, but a pizza stone (affiliate link) can really help with that.

What to serve with BBQ Chicken Pizza?

Serve with a side of extra BBQ sauce or a side of ranch for dipping. As usual, my go to for sides are a nice, big salad and/ or some steamed veggies. It’s simple, makes a dinner go further and it is never a bad thing to up your veggies.

Can I make this ahead of time?

You can prep the toppings ahead, but pizza is best baked fresh. You can also parbake the crust and assemble later.

Why is the baking temp so high?

It’s important to go with the higher heat to help achieve a crispier crust and a chewy interior. Some people don’t realize how hot an oven needs to be for a pizza, but at least it cooks quickly.

How do I store and reheat leftover pizza?

Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat in a 375°F oven until warmed through.

A slice of BBQ Chicken Pizza being held above the rest of the homemade pizza.

Ingredients Needed: (See Recipe Card Below For The Full Recipe)

chicken breasts– For a shortcut, use pre-cooked rotisserie chicken instead of freshly grilled chicken. You can also use the pre-cooked grilled chicken in bags that are sold in the freezer section (just make sure it is defrosted first).
store-bought pizza dough– use whatever brand you prefer, or you can make some Homemade Pizza Dough.
BBQ sauce– any brand that you enjoy should work nicely. I truly think it’s so important to go with a flavor you enjoy. A lot of times I get what’s on sale, but, Sweet Baby Ray’s is always a good, solid choice. Homemade BBQ Sauce is always a great option too. For a smokier flavor, use a hickory or mesquite BBQ sauce.
shredded mozzarella cheese– Swap out mozzarella for a blend of mozzarella and smoked Gouda for a deeper flavor.
bacon– cooked and crumbled. I prefer bacon that you freshly made, but you can use the bagged bacon pieces if you are in a pinch. I like to pop bacon in the oven for easy clean up or make some Air Fryer Bacon.
red onion– this is an optional ingredient
Italian seasoning– another optional ingredient

Chicken breasts, olive oil, salt, black pepper, pizza dough, BBQ sauce, shredded mozzarella cheese, cooked bacon, red onion, Italian seasoning, and parsley.

How To Make BBQ Chicken Pizza:

Preheat the oven to 475°F. Rub the chicken cutlets with olive oil and season both sides with salt and black pepper. Heat a grill pan or skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the chicken for 4-5 minutes per side, or until fully cooked and the internal temperature reaches 165°F. Remove the chicken from the pan, let it rest for 5 minutes, then dice into small pieces.

Chicken breast being seasoned and cooked on a grill pan.

Lightly grease a pizza pan or baking sheet with olive oil to prevent sticking. On a floured surface, stretch or roll the pizza dough into a 14-inch circle. Use your hands to gently press and shape the dough, leaving a slightly thicker edge around the dough to form the crust. Transfer the shaped dough to the prepared pan.

Prick the dough all over with a fork to prevent bubbling, then parbake the crust in the preheated oven for 5 minutes. Remove it from the oven and set aside.

Spread half of the BBQ sauce evenly over the parbaked crust, leaving the thicker border untouched for the crust.

Sprinkle half of the shredded mozzarella cheese over the BBQ sauce. Evenly distribute the diced chicken, crumbled bacon, and diced red onion over the cheese.

Drizzle the remaining BBQ sauce over the toppings, then sprinkle the rest of the mozzarella cheese on top. Finish by sprinkling on the Italian seasoning, if using. Return the pizza to the oven and bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly, and the crust is golden brown.