🍕 The BEST BBQ Chicken Pizza

If I could only eat one pizza for the rest of my life, it would be this BBQ chicken pizza. No question. I know, I know—classic pepperoni is great. Margherita is lovely. But there’s just something about the combo of smoky BBQ sauce, juicy chicken, melty cheese, and red onions that hits different.

I still remember the first time I tried BBQ chicken pizza. I was in college, totally broke, and a friend offered me a slice from some random delivery place. I was skeptical. Like, BBQ sauce? On pizza? But one bite later…I was hooked.

Ever since then, I’ve been chasing that perfect version—and this is it. Homemade crust (or store-bought, no judgment), tangy BBQ sauce, tender shredded chicken, loads of cheese, and that pop of freshness from cilantro on top. It’s the kind of pizza that makes you do the happy food dance without even realizing it.

Why you’ll love this BBQ chicken pizza:

Totally customizable. Want it spicy? Add jalapeños. Extra cheesy? Do it. Gluten-free crust? Go for it.

Way better than delivery. No shade, but this is on a whole different level.

Super easy. Use rotisserie chicken and store-bought dough if you want.

Crowd-pleaser. Great for game day, movie night, or when you’re just craving something bold and cheesy.

The BEST BBQ Chicken Pizza

A bold, flavorful twist on pizza night featuring smoky BBQ sauce, juicy chicken, melty mozzarella, and fresh red onion. Perfectly balanced and insanely satisfying.

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Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 15 minutes mins

Resting time 5 minutes mins

Total Time 40 minutes mins

Course Dinner, Lunch

Cuisine American

Servings 4 people

Calories 450 kcal

Equipment

• 1 Oven Preheated to 450°F
• 1 Baking sheet or pizza stone
• 1 Rolling Pin Or use hands to shape dough
• 1 Mixing bowl For tossing chicken with sauce
• 1 Pizza Cutter Or sharp knife

Ingredients

  

• 1 Pizza dough Homemade or store-bought
• ½ cup BBQ sauce Use your favorite
• 1 cup Cooked chicken Shredded or chopped rotisserie works great
• 1 ½ cups Mozzarella cheese Shredded
• ½ cup Red onion Thinly sliced
• ¼ cup Fresh cilantro Chopped for topping (optional)
• 1 tbsp Olive oil For brushing crust optional
• Salt & pepper To taste

Instructions

 

Preheat the oven to 450°F (232°C).

• If using a pizza stone, place it in the oven while it preheats.

Prep the dough.

• Roll out your pizza dough on a floured surface to your desired thickness. Transfer it to a lightly greased baking sheet or pizza peel (if using a stone).

Add the sauce.

• Spread BBQ sauce evenly over the crust, leaving a little border around the edges.

Top with chicken.

• Toss shredded chicken in a little extra BBQ sauce for extra flavor, then scatter it over the pizza.

Add cheese and onion.

• Sprinkle shredded mozzarella evenly, then top with thinly sliced red onions.

Bake.

• Bake for 12–15 minutes, or until the crust is golden and the cheese is bubbly and slightly browned.

Finish with flair.

• Let the pizza rest for 5 minutes. Top with chopped cilantro, a sprinkle of salt and pepper, and drizzle with a little extra BBQ sauce if you’re feelin’ it.

Slice and devour.

• Serve hot and enjoy the magic.

Notes

• Want a spicy kick? Add sliced jalapeños or a dash of hot sauce before baking.
• Don’t skip resting the pizza for a few minutes before slicing—it helps everything settle.
• This pizza is also great cold. Just sayin’.

Keyword bbq chicken pizza, easy dinner, game day food, homemade pizza

🧡 Real Talk

Look, you don’t need to be a professional chef to make a pizza that blows people’s minds. This recipe is simple, satisfying, and so fun to make. I’ve made it for friends, date nights, lazy weekends—you name it. And every time, it’s a winner.

One of my favorite parts? Watching people take that first bite. The eyes widen. The “mmm” sounds happen. And then the inevitable: “Wait, YOU made this?”

Yes. Yes, I did. And you will too.