BBQ Chicken Pizza with Red Onion and Cilantro

There’s nothing quite like a homemade pizza fresh from the oven. This BBQ chicken pizza combines a crispy, golden crust with smoky-sweet barbecue sauce, tender chicken and a blend of melted cheeses. The red onion adds a sharp bite, while fresh cilantro brings a pop of color and flavor.

Perfect for a casual dinner or a pizza night with friends, this recipe is easy to follow and yields two hearty pizzas. Serve them hot with an extra drizzle of BBQ sauce for a crowd-pleasing meal that’s sure to become a favorite.

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Ingredients

0.5 cup Cheddar CheeseView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

12 tablespoon BBQ SauceView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 unit Red OnionView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

20 ounce Chopped Chicken BreastView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 cup Mozzarella CheeseView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

2 unit Pizza DoughView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

0.25 ounce CilantroView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

0.5 cup FlourView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

teaspoon (tsp) SaltView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 teaspoon (tsp) Olive OilView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 teaspoon (tsp) Cooking OilView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

teaspoon (tsp) Black PepperView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

Instructions

1. Adjust an oven rack to the top position (or top and middle for 4 servings) and preheat to 450°F. Sprinkle 3 tablespoons of flour onto a clean work surface. Remove the pizza dough from its packaging and place on the floured surface. Shape each piece into a ball. Lightly spray your hands with nonstick cooking spray or dust with flour to prevent sticking. Sprinkle the dough balls with 2 tablespoons of flour, cover with a clean kitchen towel and let rest at room temperature for 20 minutes.
2. While the dough rests, prepare the toppings. Halve, peel and dice the red onion into ½-inch pieces. Finely chop the cilantro.
3. Open the package of chopped chicken and drain any excess liquid. Heat a drizzle of oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Add the chicken in a single layer and season with salt and pepper. Cook without stirring until browned on one side, 2-4 minutes. Stir and continue cooking until the chicken is cooked through, 2-3 minutes more. Remove from heat.
4. After the dough has rested for 20 minutes, line a baking sheet (or two for 4 servings) with parchment paper. Carefully press and stretch each dough ball into a rough oval shape and place on one side of the prepared sheet (you’ll have two dough ovals per baking sheet). If needed, use a rolling pin to help roll out the dough. Cover the dough with a clean kitchen towel and let rest for 15 minutes. This makes stretching easier.
5. After the 15-minute rest, use floured hands to press and stretch each dough oval into a larger shape, about 10 inches long and 5-6 inches wide. Spread each oval with one packet (about 3 tablespoons) of BBQ sauce, leaving a 1-inch border. Sprinkle with mozzarella cheese, then top with as much chicken and diced red onion as you like. Drizzle or brush the edges of the dough with olive oil.
6. Bake the pizzas on the top rack until the crusts are golden brown and crisp, 14-18 minutes. (For 4 servings, bake on top and middle racks, swapping positions halfway through.) Remove from the oven and immediately sprinkle with cheddar cheese. Drizzle with the remaining BBQ sauce and sprinkle with chopped cilantro. Slice the pizzas as desired and serve hot.

Recipe Tips

FAQ

Can I use pre-cooked chicken for this recipe?

Yes, you can use pre-cooked chicken. Simply skip the cooking step and add the chicken directly to the pizza. However, searing fresh chicken adds extra flavor.

Can I make this pizza gluten-free?

Absolutely! Substitute the pizza dough with your favorite gluten-free pizza dough or crust. Adjust baking time as needed.

How do I store leftovers?

Store leftover pizza in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in a 375°F oven or toaster oven until crispy.