The Easiest And Most Delicious BBQ Chicken Pizza

If you know, you know.  This homemade, California-style BBQ Chicken Pizza is the ultimate flavor burst.  Sweet and tangy BBQ sauce is smothered on pizza dough, and then generous amounts of Mozzarella and tangy Colby Jack cheeses are added.  Cooked rotisserie chicken tossed in BBQ sauce is combined with corn and red onions, then baked to perfection. Finish with fresh cilantro, then drizzle with a little ranch dressing and more BBQ sauce. So yum! 

What makes this pizza so delicious

For this pizza, many of the ingredients are really familiar. If you live on the West Coast or have traveled here over the years, you might have come across that well-known pizza-and-salad restaurant in many major malls. I’ve been enjoying this pizza for so many years, and it’s one of my absolute favorites!

For my pizza recipe, I add corn to add a layer of flavor and the sharpness of the Colby-Jack cheese. I find this works so well with all these flavors. Gouda and smoked cheese versions can be used, as can smoked fresh Mozzarella. (If you can find it, it’s a must-try.) 

I also finish the pizza with a drizzle of extra BBQ sauce and Ranch dressing. Both of these extras tie all the flavors together in the most decadent way because more is more. 🙂 Delish! 

Dough suggestions and toppings for BBQ Chicken Pizza

• Pizza dough: refrigerated, store-bought, or homemade. I have a wonderful all-purpose homemade pizza dough recipe that you will love if you have the time.  In a pinch, you can use a store-bought crust, but fresh, refrigerated dough is highly suggested.
• Cornmeal for the bottom of the crust. It’s a must for ease of baking.
• Cheese – mozzarella is a must, and I use Colby-Jack for that sharpness that works well with the flavor of BBQ sauce. (The cheese is my favorite pizza topping)
• Cooked chicken- rotisserie chicken makes this recipe a snap. (Leftover BBQ brisket works beautifully with this recipe!)
• BBQ sauce – homemade or your favorite store-bought for the base and for drizzling.
• Finely sliced red onions – sliced green onions work great also.
• Corn – cooked frozen corn, canned or leftover grilled corn.
• Cilantro 
• Ranch dressing – I use a fine drizzle of it to finish the pizza, and I use Buttermilk ranch dressing. This flavor profile suits the pizza perfectly. For all you dippers out there, it’s the perfect complement.

Tried and true tips

• Use rotisserie chicken, shredded or cubed into small pieces, and skin removed.
• Use fresh refrigerated pizza dough rather than a crust if possible. In a pinch, a ready-made crust will work.
• If you have leftover BBQ like brisket, use it instead of chicken. It’s delicious!
• Use a pizza stone if possible. The pizza stone’s heat renders a perfect, puffy crust.
• Make sure the oven or grill is really hot before you bake the pizza.
• This is a perfect pizza for kids; they can fully customize the pizza their way. 
• The top of the pizza should have plenty of toppings, but don’t overdo it, so your pizza bakes perfectly and is easier to handle.
• The BBQ sauce works as the sauce for the pizza.  Don’t substitute with traditional pizza sauce on this one. 

Serving Suggestions

When I serve this pizza, I love it with a Kale salad and some refreshing Homemade Strawberry Lemonade to round out the flavors of BBQ sauce and cheesy goodness. Sometimes I start with Baked Beer BBQ Chicken Wings on pizza night when I’m entertaining a crowd.  

I also love to have sliced avocado, sliced jalapeños, or pico de gallo on the side as add-ons. 

Enjoy this pizza, it’s one of my personal favorites!

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