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An overhead shot of a freshly baked BBQ Chicken Pizza, sliced on a wooden cutting board, garnished with red onions and herbs.
Maryam

Smoky BBQ Chicken Pizza with Red Onion and Cilantro

This homemade BBQ Chicken Pizza features tender, smoky chicken, a tangy BBQ sauce base, melty mozzarella, sharp red onion, and fresh cilantro, all on a crispy crust. It's a crowd-pleaser that brings restaurant flavors right to your kitchen.
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Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 650
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the BBQ Chicken
  • 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts cut into 1/2-inch cubes
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1/2 cup BBQ sauce plus more for drizzling
  • 1/4 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/4 tsp onion powder
  • Pinch smoked paprika
  • To taste Salt and black pepper
For the Pizza
  • 1 pre-made pizza dough 12-14 inch, or homemade
  • 1/2 cup BBQ sauce as base
  • 1.5 cups shredded mozzarella cheese low-moisture, part-skim
  • 1/2 cup shredded smoked gouda cheese optional, but recommended
  • 1/2 small red onion thinly sliced
  • 1/4 cup fresh cilantro chopped, for garnish
  • 2 tbsp cornmeal or flour for dusting

Equipment

  • Large skillet
  • Baking Sheet or Pizza Stone
  • Mixing Bowl
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Cutting board
  • Sharp knife
  • Pizza Cutter

Method
 

Prepare the Chicken
  1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add cubed chicken, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until chicken is cooked through and lightly browned, about 6-8 minutes.
  2. Add 1/2 cup of BBQ sauce to the cooked chicken, stirring to coat. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 2-3 minutes to allow flavors to meld. Remove from heat and set aside.
Preheat Oven & Prepare Dough
  1. Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). If using a pizza stone, place it in the oven while preheating. Lightly dust a baking sheet or pizza peel with cornmeal or flour.
  2. Carefully stretch or roll out the pizza dough on the prepared surface to your desired thickness, forming a 12-14 inch circle.
Assemble the Pizza
  1. Spread the remaining 1/2 cup of BBQ sauce evenly over the pizza dough, leaving a 1/2-inch border for the crust.
  2. Sprinkle 1 cup of mozzarella cheese and all of the smoked gouda (if using) over the BBQ sauce.
  3. Evenly distribute the prepared BBQ chicken mixture over the cheese.
  4. Scatter the thinly sliced red onion over the chicken and cheese.
  5. Top with the remaining 1/2 cup of mozzarella cheese.
Bake the Pizza
  1. Carefully transfer the pizza to the preheated oven (either onto the hot pizza stone or directly on the oven rack if using a baking sheet).
  2. Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is bubbly and lightly browned.
Finish and Serve
  1. Remove the pizza from the oven. Let it cool for 2-3 minutes before slicing.
  2. Garnish generously with fresh chopped cilantro and an optional drizzle of extra BBQ sauce before serving.

Notes

For an extra smoky flavor, consider adding a pinch of liquid smoke to your chicken or BBQ sauce.
If you're short on time, use pre-cooked rotisserie chicken and shred it. Skip steps 1 and 2, and simply toss the shredded chicken with BBQ sauce.
The smoked gouda adds a wonderful depth of flavor, but you can use all mozzarella if preferred.
Store any leftover pizza in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven or air fryer for best results.