Friday night dinner is pizza and movie night in the Merkley home. Sometimes we do store-bought, but more often we whip up some favorites like our Pepperoni Pizza Recipe, Margherita Pizza, or this BBQ chicken pizza recipe!
We are all a little obsessed with this variation (it’s one of our favorites from California Pizza Kitchen). The flavor combination is perfection – BBQ chicken, lots of cheese, and a hint of red onion. It’s always a hit, and we love that we can make it at home!
While we have a killer pizza crust recipe, we kept this extra easy by using store-bought pizza dough and canned or rotisserie chicken! You can even add your favorite ingredients like pineapple, sausage, or jalapeno peppers to make it your own.
Pizza is one of our favorite easy dinner ideas!
Why we think you’ll love it:
- For busy nights. With the shortcuts, it takes only 20 minutes to throw this pizza together – perfect for a quick dinner idea!
- Flavorful twist. The smoky BBQ chicken, crispy bacon in the oven, and fresh cilantro create an explosion of flavors – if you love Baked BBQ Chicken, you’ll love this pizza!
- Perfect for storing. Refrigerate leftovers for a quick meal later, or make ahead and freeze as an ideal meal prep option!
BBQ Chicken Pizza Ingredients
- 1 can pre-made pizza dough – Use a can of refrigerated pizza dough or 14 ounces of Homemade Pizza Dough recipe.
- 1½ cups cubed chicken – The pizza is not in the oven long enough to cook the chicken properly, so it MUST be precooked. To save time, use rotisserie chicken, canned chicken, or keep cooked chicken in the freezer to grab on a busy day.
- 1¼ cups barbecue sauce, divided – We love Sweet Baby Rays, but use your favorite brand of BBQ sauce, or try using homemade BBQ Sauce.
- 3 pieces cooked bacon – try this Bacon in the Oven recipe
- ⅓ cup fresh cilantro – chopped
- 3 cups mozzarella cheese – Mozzarella pairs well with various ingredients, melts easily, and browns beautifully. Or use your favorite cheese along with or instead of mozzarella: smoked gouda cheese, blue cheese, or gorgonzola.
- garlic salt (with parsley flakes)
How to Make BBQ Chicken Pizza
- PREP. Begin by cubing the chicken breast and tossing it in ½ cup of BBQ Sauce.
- Bake 1 can of pizza dough for 5 minutes at whatever temperature the instructions say on the pizza dough packaging.
- ASSEMBLE. While the pizza dough is still warm, spread ½ cup of BBQ Sauce (add more or less if desired).
- Add cheese, barbecue chicken, cilantro, and bacon to your pizza. Sprinkle with garlic salt.
- BAKE. Bake the pizza an additional 8-10 minutes. The cheese should be melted and the dough golden brown.
- Drizzle with more barbecue sauce, and ENJOY!
Kristyn’s Recipe Tips
- BBQ chicken pizza also tastes great with added toppings like pineapple, sausage, jalapeno peppers, or red onions
- You can bake this pizza on a metal pizza pan or use a pizza peel to transfer the pizza to a preheated pizza stone.
- Double the recipe that way; you have one for now and one to make into a frozen pizza to bake later.
BBQ Chicken Pizza Recipe
Equipment
- pizza pan if you don't have a pizza stone
- pizza peel if using a pizza stone
Video
Ingredients
- 1 can pre-made pizza dough, or 14 ounce homemade dough
- 1½ cups cubed chicken, rotisserie chicken works great
- 1¼ cups barbecue sauce, divided
- 3 pieces cooked bacon, chopped
- ⅓ cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- 3 cups mozzarella cheese
- garlic salt (with parsley flakes)
Instructions
- Begin by cubing your chicken and tossing it in ½ cup of BBQ Sauce.
- Bake the pizza dough for 5 minutes at whatever temperature the instructions say on the pizza dough packaging.
- While the pizza dough is still warm, spread ½ cup of BBQ Sauce (add more or less if desired).
- Add cheese, barbecue chicken, cilantro, and bacon to your pizza. Sprinkle with garlic salt.
- Bake pizza an additional 8-10 minutes or until cheese is melted and the dough is golden brown.
- Drizzle with more barbecue sauce, and ENJOY!
Notes
- BBQ chicken pizza also tastes great with added toppings like pineapple, sausage, jalapeno peppers, or red onions
- You can bake this pizza on a metal pizza pan or use a pizza peel to transfer the pizza to a preheated pizza stone.
- Double the recipe that way; you have one for now and one to make into a frozen pizza to bake later.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Recipe FAQ
Bake the crust for 7 minutes, add toppings, then flash freeze on a tray for 2 hours before tightly wrapping in plastic and foil and freezing for 3-6 months. To bake: Preheat oven to 350°F, place pizza on a baking sheet, and bake until hot and cheese is melted (5-7 minutes), broiling for 1-2 minutes for browning.
Place leftovers in an airtight container, and separate each slice with a paper towel or parchment paper. Store in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
For best results, reheat in the oven or toaster oven. If you’re in a hurry, you can reheat it in the microwave.
Complete The Meal
Sides
Desserts
Pizza Recipes
This recipe was originally published May 2014.
I’m a pizza lover and I am amazed at this pizza recipe. It is irresistibly delicious and pleasing, a new favorite!
My kids love this kind of pizza. It’s more delicious and satisfying than the store-bought. We’ll surely have this again, thanks Kristyn!
Oh my heck! I could eat this pizza everyday of the week. Has all my favorite things in it: barbecue, bacon, and cheese! So delicious, will definitely be making again.
This has been my oldest son’s favorite pizza since before I can remember! Every time we make pizza at home, which is weekly, he makes BBQ chicken. He does add a few extra ingredients, caramelized onions, a smoked cheese like Gouda or Cheddar and jalapeno peppers.
amazing!! i made mine with cauliflower crust🤩
Mmmmm sounds so good!!!
hi! You say to only use BBQ sauce in your ingredients but once we get to the assembly you say to use pizza sauce. what do you suggest? 🙂
It’s the BBQ sauce 🙂 Hope you like it!
Hey just a heads up, when you jump to the recipe to print, your recipe says to use pizza sauce But your in deacription in your blog You say to use bbq sauce after baking dough for 5 min. I used oizza sauce per your print instructions. I hope its good!
Thanks for letting me know! Hope you liked it!
This is a nice switch from the traditional cheese And pepperoni we normally have. Thanks for all the tips as well!
This is my favorite kindof pizza! PERFECTION!
This BBQ Chicken Pizza is one of the best homemade Pizza recipes I’ve had!
So incredibly delicious! Pretty quick and easy too.
Who knew making this at home would be so easy!? It was so delicious, soft, & the taste was amazing! We will definitely make this at home more!
This pizza is incredibly good! You can always determine what Toppings your family wants but we like it jusT like you see it.