There’s something magical that happens when smoky barbecue sauce meets hot, gooey mozzarella and tender, juicy chicken. Add a crisp, golden homemade crust, and you suddenly understand why chicken barbecue pizza has become a modern classic—one of those pizzas people crave on busy weeknights, summer grill days, and cozy family dinners.
As someone who grew up in an Italian food-loving household, I’m usually team “classic margherita” or “pepperoni with chili oil.” But one night, years ago, I threw leftover grilled chicken into a bowl with barbecue sauce, stretched some dough, scattered red onions and cilantro on top… and everything changed.
Since that day, I’ve made this chicken barbecue pizza recipe hundreds of times—testing different sauces, cheeses, dough styles, chicken marinades, baking techniques, even pan types. What I’m sharing today is the perfected version, the one I trust every single time.
This isn’t just BBQ chicken pizza.
It’s smoky.
It’s tangy.
It’s sweet, savory, crispy, gooey, bold, and comforting—all at once.
And yes, it’s incredibly easy to make at home.
Let’s get into it.
⭐ What Makes This Chicken Barbecue Pizza So Good?
Most BBQ chicken pizzas rely too heavily on bottled sauce or bland chicken. This one is different.
This recipe uses:
✔ A homemade or semi-homemade marinade that gives the chicken deep flavor
✔ A mix of two cheeses for perfect melt and stretch
✔ A balanced sauce layer that never turns soggy
✔ Fresh herbs to brighten the smoky richness
✔ A crispy Italian-style crust that holds everything together
If you love Domino’s, Pizza Hut, or California Pizza Kitchen BBQ Chicken Pizza…
you’re about to make a version that tastes even better.
And if you’re Italian at heart like me—trust me—this pizza is worth the betrayal.
🧾 Ingredients for Chicken Barbecue Pizza (Exact Measurements)
Below is the complete ingredient list for the dough, toppings, and sauce. These measurements make one large 12-inch pizza or two smaller ones.
Ingredients & Measurements Table
| Category | Ingredient | Measurement |
|---|---|---|
| Pizza Dough | All-purpose flour | 2 ½ cups (300g) |
| Warm water | 1 cup (240ml) | |
| Olive oil | 2 tbsp | |
| Sugar | 1 tsp | |
| Instant yeast | 1 ½ tsp | |
| Salt | 1 tsp | |
| Chicken | Cooked chicken breast or thighs | 1 ½ cups (shredded or diced) |
| Barbecue sauce (for mixing) | ¼ cup | |
| Sauce Layer | Barbecue sauce | ½ cup |
| Tomato paste (optional, thickens sauce) | 1 tbsp | |
| Cheese | Mozzarella (shredded, low moisture) | 1 ½ cups |
| Smoked gouda or cheddar | ½ cup | |
| Toppings | Thinly sliced red onion | ¼ cup |
| Fresh cilantro | 2 tbsp (chopped) | |
| Sweet corn (optional) | ¼ cup | |
| Jalapeños (optional) | Sliced thin | |
| Finish | Extra BBQ sauce drizzle | To taste |
This combination ensures perfect balance—smoky, sweet, creamy, tangy, crispy.
🍕 How to Make the Best Chicken Barbecue Pizza (Step-by-Step Instructions)
Follow these steps and you’ll get a pizza that’s restaurant-level delicious every time.
Step 1: Make the Dough (or Use Store-Bought Dough)
If making homemade dough:
- Combine warm water, yeast, and sugar.
- Let activate for 5 minutes until foamy.
- Add flour, salt, olive oil.
- Mix until a shaggy dough forms.
- Knead for 8–10 minutes until smooth.
- Place in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise 1 hour.
This dough makes a crisp yet tender Italian-style crust that balances the sweet richness of BBQ toppings.
Shortcut:
Use store-bought pizza dough—but let it sit at room temperature 30 minutes before stretching.
Step 2: Prepare the Chicken
You can use:
- grilled chicken
- baked chicken
- rotisserie chicken
- leftover chicken
Shred or dice it small so every bite gets chicken.
Mix chicken with ¼ cup barbecue sauce.
This prevents dry chicken and gives richer flavor.
Step 3: Make the Barbecue Sauce Layer
Most BBQ chicken pizzas fail here—the sauce is too watery.
To fix this, mix:
- ½ cup barbecue sauce
- 1 tbsp tomato paste (optional but highly recommended)
This creates a thicker, stickier base that won’t soak into the crust.
Sweet, smoky, glossy perfection.
Step 4: Shape the Dough
Lightly oil your hands and stretch the dough into:
- a 12-inch circle
- or a thin rectangle (my favorite for BBQ chicken pizza)
You want a thin, even crust.
Transfer the dough onto a pizza stone, baking steel, or parchment-lined sheet pan.
Step 5: Add the Sauces and Cheeses
Spread sauce evenly, leaving a very small border.
Add:
- Mozzarella, most of it
- Chicken
- Red onions
- Cheddar or smoked gouda
- Corn or jalapeños (optional)
Save some mozzarella for the top—it melts beautifully over the chicken.
Step 6: Bake Until Golden and Bubbly
Bake at 475°F (245°C) for 12–15 minutes.
The pizza should have:
- a blistered crust
- browning cheese
- bubbling barbecue sauce
- crisp edges
If using a baking stone, bake on the bottom rack for extra crispness.
Step 7: Add Fresh Cilantro and Final Drizzle
Once out of the oven:
- Sprinkle fresh chopped cilantro
- Add a light barbecue sauce drizzle
This gives the pizza color, brightness, and irresistible flavor contrast.
🌟 Why This Chicken Barbecue Pizza Recipe Works So Well
This recipe hits every note:
✔ Italian crust + American toppings = unbeatable flavor
✔ Two cheeses for creamy + smoky melt
✔ Balanced sauce so the pizza never gets soggy
✔ Fresh herbs to brighten the richness
✔ Hot oven for crisp crust
It’s a pizza that feels gourmet but uses easy ingredients.
Perfect for:
- family dinners
- game night
- weekend cooking
- summer BBQ leftovers
- date nights (yes, BBQ chicken pizza can be romantic)
🔥 Tips & Tricks for the BEST BBQ Chicken Pizza
1. Don’t skip mixing the chicken with sauce
This keeps the chicken juicy even at high heat.
2. Use smoked cheese for next-level flavor
Smoked gouda or smoked cheddar adds depth.
3. Slice onions extra thin
They soften perfectly while the pizza bakes.
4. Preheat your oven fully
A blazing hot oven is the secret to crisp crust.
5. Brush the crust with olive oil
Gives a golden, pizzeria-style finish.
6. Add jalapeños for heat
Spicy + sweet is always a win.
7. Use a baking stone if you have one
It mimics restaurant pizza ovens.
8. Don’t use fresh mozzarella
Too wet for this style of pizza.
❓ FAQ – Chicken Barbecue Pizza Edition
Q1: Can I use leftover chicken?
Yes! This recipe is perfect for leftover grilled or roasted chicken.
Q2: What’s the best barbecue sauce for pizza?
Sweet and smoky sauces work best.
Popular choices: Hickory, Honey BBQ, Brown Sugar BBQ.
Q3: Can I make this pizza spicy?
Absolutely—add:
- jalapeños
- crushed red pepper
- spicy BBQ sauce
Q4: What cheese works best besides mozzarella?
The top choices:
- Smoked gouda
- Cheddar
- Monterey Jack
- Provolone
Q5: Can I freeze BBQ chicken pizza?
Yes. Bake fully, cool, wrap tightly, freeze up to 2 months.
Reheat at 425°F for 12 minutes.
Q6: Can I grill this pizza instead of baking?
Yes!
Grilling adds smoky flavor that pairs perfectly with barbecue chicken.
Q7: Can I make this vegetarian?
Swap chicken for:
- grilled mushrooms
- roasted cauliflower
- tofu cubes
- vegan chicken
Still delicious!
Q8: How do I keep the crust from getting soggy?
Easy:
- Use a thickened BBQ sauce layer
- Preheat the pan or stone
- Avoid watery vegetables
❤️ Final Thoughts: You’re About to Make an Unforgettably Good Chicken Barbecue Pizza
This isn’t just a recipe—it’s the version I’ve refined, loved, and shared with friends for years. It’s beautifully balanced, incredibly flavorful, and so easy that it works on busy weeknights and relaxed weekends alike.
Once you taste this chicken barbecue pizza recipe, you’ll understand why it’s one of my most-requested pizzas of all time. The smoky-sweet sauce, tender marinated chicken, and crispy Italian-style crust come together like magic.
Now it’s your turn—preheat the oven, stretch that dough, and make a pizza that’ll have everyone asking for seconds.
See Also: Crispy Chicago Thin Crust Pizza Recipe: Authentic Tavern-Style Pizza at Home
