Crispy BBQ Chicken Pizza with Red Onion and Cilantro

There’s nothing quite like homemade pizza fresh from the oven and this BBQ chicken version is a total crowd-pleaser. We start with stretchy pizza dough, layer on smoky-sweet BBQ sauce, tender seared chicken and slices of red onion, then pile on plenty of mozzarella. After a quick bake until golden and crisp, the pizzas get a final sprinkle of sharp cheddar, fresh cilantro and an extra drizzle of BBQ sauce.

This recipe makes two personal-sized pizzas, perfect for sharing or enjoying all to yourself. The dough rests twice for an easy, airy crust and the toppings come together in minutes. Whether you’re hosting a pizza night or just craving something comforting, these cheesy, tangy pizzas deliver big flavor with minimal fuss.

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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

10 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 rack to top position (top and middle for 4 servings) and preheat oven to 450°F. Sprinkle 3 tablespoons flour onto a clean work surface. Remove pizza dough from packaging and place on floured surface. Shape each piece into a ball. Spray hands with nonstick cooking spray or dust with flour to prevent sticking. Evenly sprinkle dough balls with 2 tablespoons flour. Cover with a clean kitchen towel and let rest at room temperature for 20 minutes.
2. While dough rests, wash and dry produce. Halve, peel and dice onion into ½-inch pieces. Finely chop cilantro.
3. Open package of chicken and drain any excess liquid. Heat a drizzle of oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Add chicken in a single layer; season with salt and pepper. Cook undisturbed until browned on one side, 2-4 minutes. Stir and continue cooking until chicken is cooked through, 2-3 minutes more.
4. Once dough has rested 20 minutes, line a baking sheet (two sheets for 4 servings) with parchment paper. Carefully press and stretch each dough ball into a rough oval shape and place on one side of prepared sheet (you’ll have two dough ovals per sheet). Cover dough with a clean kitchen towel and let rest 15 minutes.
5. After 15 minutes, use floured hands to press and stretch dough on baking sheet into larger oval shapes, about 10 inches long and 5-6 inches wide. Spread each dough oval with one packet of BBQ sauce, leaving a 1-inch border (reserve remaining BBQ sauce). Sprinkle with mozzarella, then top with as much chicken and onion as you like. Drizzle or brush edges of dough with olive oil.
6. Bake pizzas on top rack until crusts are golden brown and crisp, 14-18 minutes. (For 4 servings, bake on top and middle racks, swapping positions halfway through.) When pizzas are done, immediately sprinkle with cheddar. Drizzle with remaining BBQ sauce; sprinkle with cilantro. Slice pizzas as desired. Divide between plates and serve.

Recipe Tips

FAQ

Can I use pre-cooked chicken or rotisserie chicken?

Yes, you can use pre-cooked chicken. Simply shred or chop it and add it to the pizza without the initial searing step. You may want to warm it briefly in the microwave or pan before topping.

Can I make these pizzas gluten-free?

Absolutely! Substitute the pizza dough with your favorite gluten-free pizza dough or pre-made gluten-free 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 350°F oven or toaster oven until crisp or microwave for a softer crust.