How to Create Smoky BBQ Chicken Pizza at Home
There’s nothing quite like the delicious taste of smoky BBQ chicken pizza. The combination of tender, flavorful chicken, gooey melted cheese, and tangy barbecue sauce creates a mouthwatering dish that will impress your family and friends. The best part? You don’t need to be a professional chef to make it! In this blog, I’ll walk you through step-by-step instructions on how to create smoky BBQ chicken pizza in simple English.
Let’s get started!
Ingredients You’ll Need
To make this delicious smoky BBQ chicken pizza, you’ll need the following ingredients:
For the Pizza Dough:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 packet (2 ¼ tsp) of instant yeast
- 1 tsp sugar
- ½ tsp salt
- ¾ cup warm water
- 1 tbsp olive oil
For the Toppings:
- 1 cooked chicken breast, shredded or diced
- ½ cup smoky barbecue sauce (your favorite brand)
- 1½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese (optional, for extra flavor)
- 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
- ½ cup chopped fresh cilantro (optional, for garnish)
- Olive oil for brushing the crust
Tools Needed:
- Rolling pin
- Baking sheet or pizza stone
- Mixing bowl
- Spoon or pastry brush
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Prepare the Dough
Homemade pizza dough is easier than it sounds! Start by mixing the flour, instant yeast, sugar, and salt in a large bowl. Slowly add the warm water and olive oil while stirring to combine. Once the dough starts to come together, use your hands to knead it for about 5 minutes. The goal is to make a smooth, elastic ball of dough.
Cover the bowl with a clean kitchen towel and let the dough rise for about 30–45 minutes. While it’s rising, you can prep the toppings!
2. Make the Chicken Smoky and Flavorful
Take your cooked chicken breast (grilled chicken works best) and shred or dice it into small pieces. Place the chicken in a bowl and mix it with ¼ cup barbecue sauce. This step helps the chicken soak up the smoky, tangy flavors, making it even tastier when baked on the pizza.
3. Preheat Your Oven
Preheat your oven to 475°F (245°C). If you’re using a pizza stone, place it in the oven to heat up. A hot oven is key to getting a crispy crust.
4. Roll Out the Dough
Once the dough has risen, lightly flour your work surface and roll it out into a circle (or any shape you prefer). Aim for about 10–12 inches in diameter. Transfer the rolled-out dough to a lightly greased baking sheet or pizza stone.
5. Get Saucy
Spread the remaining ¼ cup barbecue sauce evenly across the dough using the back of a spoon. Leave a little space around the edges to create the perfect crust. The barbecue sauce serves as the base and adds a rich, smoky flavor to every bite.
6. Add the Toppings
Now comes the fun part—assembling your pizza! Start by sprinkling the mozzarella cheese evenly over the barbecue sauce. Then layer the smoky chicken pieces across the pizza. Add the thin slices of red onion for a hint of sweetness and crunch. If you like extra cheese (who doesn’t?), sprinkle some shredded cheddar on top.
7. Brush and Bake
To give the crust a beautiful golden color, lightly brush olive oil around the edges of the pizza. Pop the pizza in the oven and bake for 12–15 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbling and the crust is crispy.
8. Garnish and Serve
Once your smoky BBQ chicken pizza is out of the oven, let it cool for a couple of minutes. Sprinkle chopped cilantro over the top for a fresh, zesty finish. Slice up your pizza and serve it hot with your favorite drink.
Tips for Success
- Extra Smoky Flavor: For authentic smoky taste, use smoked mozzarella or smoked paprika in your recipe.
- Crispier Crust: If you have a pizza stone, preheat it for at least 30 minutes before baking.
- Time-Saver: In a rush? Use store-bought pizza dough or pre-cooked rotisserie chicken.
Why Smoky BBQ Chicken Pizza Is a Winner
Smoky BBQ chicken pizza is perfect for a wide range of occasions, from family dinners to casual gatherings with friends. It’s packed with bold flavors, and the balance of sweet, smoky, and savory is irresistible. Plus, making your own pizza at home is fun and much more affordable than ordering takeout.
So, what are you waiting for? Grab the ingredients and get cooking. Once you take your first bite of this smoky BBQ chicken pizza, you’ll want to make it again and again!
Let me know in the comments how your pizza turned out and share your favorite toppings. Happy cooking!
