BBQ Chicken Pizza

BBQ Chicken Pizza is a great sweet and savory combo with smokey barbecue sauce, juicy chicken pieces, and sharp cheddar cheese!

If you enjoy California Pizza Kitchen, then you’ll really enjoy this tasty barbecue chicken pizza. It’s a wonderful choice for anyone who isn’t a fan of pepperoni pizza. Since you’ll use your favorite BBQ sauce instead of pizza sauce, it’s also a good pizza for anyone who isn’t a fan of tomatoes or sauces. 

You control every step of the process. Do you want it to have crispy edges? Then, roll out the dough so it’s thin. Do you want it to be spicier? Add red pepper flakes and use a spicy barbecue sauce. This pizza tastes much better than any frozen pizza you can get at the grocery store. 

Why You’ll Love BBQ Chicken Pizza

• Ready in 30 minutes. This time includes the set-up, which makes this even faster than ordering delivery.    
• Perfect for pizza night. Everyone can make their own pizza with their favorite toppings.  
• Budget-friendly.  Use as many or as few toppings as you like,
• Freezer-friendly. Make your own frozen pizza and save it for later. 
• Easy to customize. Start with store-bought pizza dough, and then use whatever toppings you want. 

Ingredients

The full printable recipe card with measurements and instructions is found at the bottom of the post.

Get our FREE
e-cookbook

I want it!

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at anytime.

I kept it simple, but feel free to modify this recipe however you want. 

• Pillsbury Pizza Crust: Any uncooked pizza dough will work.
• Barbecue Sauce: Use a homemade BBQ sauce or your favorite BBQ from the store. 
• Cooked Chicken Breast: Make sure it’s cooked and chopped or shredded. You can even use leftover rotisserie chicken. 
• Small Green Bell Pepper: This adds color and texture to the pizza. 
• Sweet Onion: I find a sweet onion tastes the best on the pizza. 
• Bacon: Some crispy bacon tastes amazing with the BBQ chicken. 
• Cheddar Cheese: Use sharp cheddar cheese for a bold flavor. 

How to Make BBQ Chicken Pizza

• Step One: Prepare the pizza crust according to package directions. For the Pillsbury Pizza Crust I used, I greased a pizza pan and spread the dough to fit. Then, I pre-baked it for 8 minutes in a 400°F oven.
• Step Two: Spread barbecue sauce over pizza crust, leaving a gap around the edge.

• Step Three: Evenly distribute green pepper, onions, chicken, and bacon over the sauce. Then top with cheddar cheese.
• Step Four: Bake another 7 to 10 minutes or until the crust is golden and the cheese is melted.

Equipment Needed

You don’t need much to make this easy BBQ pizza recipe. But with these stellar pieces of equipment, you’ll be good to go!

This post contains affiliate links.

• Pizza Pan 
• Wooden Spoon 
• Pizza Cutter 

What to Serve with BBQ Chicken Pizza

The best part about this delicious pizza is that you can serve it for movie night or with your friends while watching a football season game. Serve the pizza with these tasty side dishes. 

• Caesar salad
• Coleslaw
• Garlic bread
• Parmesan Thyme Roasted Potatoes
• Cauliflower Soup with Bacon

Variations and Substitutions

• Swap out the cheese. You can use mozzarella or marble cheese if you don’t have cheddar cheese.
• Use either red or white onion on the pizza. 
• Use French bread instead of pizza crust. A French bread pizza is a delicious twist.
• The bacon is optional. Or try it with turkey bacon.  

Storage Instructions 

To store your leftover pizza, allow it to cool down, and then place it in an airtight container or sealable bag. Store in the fridge for up to three days. After that, you will want to toss out any leftovers you have or use your best judgment. 

How Do You Freeze Homemade BBQ Chicken Pizza Recipe? 

For best results, let the pizza cool to room temperature. Then, wrap the pizza in plastic wrap and store it in a freezer-safe food storage bag. 

Can I Make Ahead? 

Yes, you can make the pizza ahead of time. Store it in an airtight container or bag in the refrigerator for up to three days. Then, reheat it in the oven to make it nice and crispy. 

BBQ Chicken Pizza Tips and Tricks

• Use homemade barbecue sauce if you like. You can then make a smoky, vinegar-based, or sweet sauce (like Kansas City BBQ). 
• You want to use pre-cooked chicken for your pizza. If you try to use raw chicken, it won’t cook completely on the pizza. 
• Pre-bake the pizza crust. This will prevent your pizza from tasting doughy or undercooked. 
• Sprinkle a little garlic salt on the pizza dough before you pre-bake it. 

Can I Use Homemade Pizza Dough?

Yes, if you have a homemade pizza dough recipe that you love, use it! If you need this to be low-carb, make a cauliflower crust. Making your own dough is a great way to control the ingredients and make it taste how you want it to. 

Additional Topping Ideas 

One of the best things about this pizza is that you can add your favorite toppings. 

• Mozzarella cheese 
• Gouda cheese 
• Sprinkle of cilantro
• Fresh chives
• Sliced jalapenos

Do I Need A Pizza Stone?

No, you don’t have to use a pizza stone. You can use a pizza tray or a baking sheet. If you use a sheet pan with raised edges, I suggest shaping the dough into a rectangle so it fits. 

If you use a pizza stone, add some olive oil to it so your pizza doesn’t stick. 

Who Invented BBQ Chicken Pizza?

It is said that the first showcase of the famous BBQ chicken pizza was at the California Pizza Kitchens. They are the first to have this pizza combination on record.  Since then the world has begun enjoying this recipe and more restaurants have placed this variety of pizza on their menus as well. 

How Do You Know When the Pizza is Done Cooking?

You’ll know the pizza is done when the crust is golden brown, the cheese is completely melted, and the sauce is bubbling. 

Pizza Inspired Recipes

• Pizza Dip | Get all the incredible flavors of pizza in a dip form. This is cheesy, warm, and seriously a winning dish to serve up. Whether it is a game day party food or holiday snack, it works! 
• Easy Pizza Cake | Layers and layers of pizza goodness stacked on top of each other. This is something that will be a crowd stopper because the presentation is incredible. 
• Pizza Wonton Cups | An appetizer or fun weeknight meal to change up the meal. These crispy wonton cups are stuffed full of sauce and pizza toppings and baked to perfection. 

For more pizza recipes, check out my recipes for Chicken Pesto Pizza, Sweet Chili Chicken Thai Pizza, Cheeseburger Pizza and Italian Meatball Pizza.

You’ll also like Chicken Caesar Pizza, Buffalo Chicken Pizza, Chicken Bacon Alfredo Pizza, Italian Meatball Pizza, Pizza Soup and Pizza Rolls.

Follow me on Instagram @simplystacieblog, Facebook at Simply Stacie, TikTok @simplystacierecipes or Pinterest at @simplystacie and let me know how you liked this recipe and my other recipes.