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Smoky BBQ Chicken

Featured in Chicken & Turkey Everyone Will Love.

Ever wanted to nail the BBQ chicken pizza from popular spots like California Pizza Kitchen at home? This version does just that! You’ll love the mix of cheeses—mozzarella melts beautifully, and smoked gouda brings deep richness. The crust stays crispy, while BBQ sauce and tender chicken add unbeatable flavor. Add a touch of red onions for crunch and cilantro for freshness. Pick homemade or store-bought dough, skip gouda for extra mozzarella if you like, and store leftovers in the fridge or freezer. Restaurant-quality flavors, made easy at home!
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Updated on Sat, 05 Apr 2025 22:18:28 GMT
Smoky BBQ Chicken Pin it
Smoky BBQ Chicken | cookbybook.com

Making BBQ chicken pizza from scratch brings together zesty sauce, flavorful cheese, and juicy chicken on a wonderfully stretchy crust. This method shows you how making pizza at home isn't just doable - it turns out way better than anything delivered.

When I first tried pairing smoked gouda with mozzarella, this pizza jumped from decent to mind-blowing. That smoky-melty cheese combo with zingy BBQ sauce creates something you won't forget.

Key Components

  • Fresh Pizza Dough: Delivers that ideal chewy foundation
  • BBQ Sauce: Pick whatever brand you enjoy
  • Already-cooked Chicken: Grabbing rotisserie chicken cuts down prep time
  • Smoked Gouda: Brings that must-have smoky kick

Step-By-Step Guide

Getting The Dough Ready (15 minutes):
Warm dough to room temp. Flatten into a 12-inch round. Form a small edge around the border. Add a light olive oil coating. Set aside while getting other stuff ready.
Prepping Your Toppings (10 minutes):
Mix chicken with BBQ sauce. Grate both cheese types. Cut red onion into thin rings. Get everything lined up before you start. Turn oven up as high as it goes.
Building Your Pizza (5 minutes):
Smooth BBQ sauce across dough. Add your saucy chicken pieces. Sprinkle cheese mix over everything. Place onion rings on top. Add extra sauce drizzles.
Cooking Time (12-15 minutes):
Slide pizza into your hot oven. Wait for cheese to start bubbling. Look for the edges to turn golden. Make sure the bottom is browning too. Take it out when it looks just right.
Last Touches (2 minutes):
Throw some fresh cilantro on top. Pour more BBQ sauce if you want. Let it sit for a minute. Cut and eat while hot. Add some red pepper flakes if you like heat.
Simple Fast BBQ Chicken Pizza Pin it
Simple Fast BBQ Chicken Pizza | cookbybook.com

After making tons of pizzas at home, I've figured out that getting the layers right makes a perfect BBQ chicken pizza. Start with just enough sauce, then chicken, then your cheese mix for the tastiest bite every time.

Classic Homemade BBQ Chicken Pizza Pin it
Classic Homemade BBQ Chicken Pizza | cookbybook.com

Prep-Ahead Ideas

  • Get your dough ready beforehand
  • Cook and sauce your chicken early
  • Grate your cheeses in advance
  • Put everything together right before baking

This BBQ Chicken Pizza shows that homemade beats takeout any day. The mix of smoky gouda, tangy sauce, and herbs creates something you'll crave again and again. Make it for family dinner or when friends come over, and everyone will ask for seconds.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I use dough from the store?
Absolutely! A one-pound store-bought pizza dough works perfectly.
→ How do I keep leftover slices?
Wrap them tightly to refrigerate for up to 5 days, or freeze for as long as 3 months.
→ Can I swap out the smoked gouda?
Of course! Substitute with equal amounts of shredded mozzarella.
→ What's the best way to warm up leftovers?
You can either use the microwave or bake at 350°F covered—10 minutes for slices, 15-20 minutes for the whole pizza.
→ Can I prep this pizza ahead?
Sure! Bake it completely, then freeze it for up to 3 months.

Smoky BBQ Chicken

This pizza’s got tangy BBQ chicken, melty mozzarella, smoky gouda, red onion, and fresh cilantro on a crisp crust everyone will love.

Prep Time
130 Minutes
Cook Time
15 Minutes
Total Time
145 Minutes
By: Susan

Category: Poultry

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: American

Yield: one 12-inch pizza

Dietary: ~

Ingredients

→ Base

01 1 Tablespoon cornmeal
02 1 Tablespoon olive oil, split up
03 1/2 portion homemade pizza dough (or 1 lb of store-bought dough)

→ Toppings

04 2/3 cup mozzarella, shredded
05 1 Tablespoon fresh cilantro, chopped for garnish (basil works as a swap)
06 1/3 cup + 2 Tablespoons of your go-to barbecue sauce
07 2/3 cup smoked gouda, shredded
08 1/2 small red onion, sliced thin
09 1 cup shredded or chopped cooked chicken (about 8 oz from a breast)

Instructions

Step 01

If making homemade dough, follow through its third step. Bought frozen dough needs to be fully thawed before starting.

Step 02

Set your oven to 475°F (246°C) and let it heat for 15-20 min. Add cornmeal to a greased large baking sheet (use 1/2 Tablespoon olive oil). If using a pizza stone, preheat it in the oven too.

Step 03

Flatten the dough on a floured surface after pressing out the air. Aim for a 12-inch circle with 1/2-inch thickness. Make a slight edge around it and cover it to rest briefly.

Step 04

Poke small indents in the dough surface to avoid bubbles. Brush with olive oil, spread barbecue sauce, mix the chicken with leftover sauce, and layer with cheeses and red onions.

Step 05

Place in the oven and bake for 14-15 minutes until the crust is golden. Finish with a sprinkle of cilantro, if you’d like, and dig in right away.

Notes

  1. You can keep baked slices or the whole pizza in the freezer for up to 3 months. Let it thaw in the fridge or on the counter.
  2. Heat up leftovers in the microwave or bake in a 350°F oven. For slices, it takes about 10 minutes, and 15-20 minutes for the whole thing.
  3. If smoked gouda isn’t available, just use some extra mozzarella. Skipping cilantro and onions is fine too.

Tools You'll Need

  • Large baking sheet or pizza pan
  • Brush for spreading oil or sauce
  • Tool to cut the pizza (like a pizza cutter)