BBQ Chicken Pizza Cilantro (Printer-friendly)
Smoky BBQ sauce, tender chicken, melted cheeses, red onion, and fresh cilantro combine for a bold meal.
# What You'll Need:
→ Pizza Base
01 - 1 pound pizza dough, homemade or store-bought
02 - 1 tablespoon cornmeal or all-purpose flour for dusting
→ Sauce
03 - 1/2 cup BBQ sauce, your favorite brand
→ Toppings
04 - 1 1/2 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded or diced
05 - 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
06 - 1/2 cup shredded smoked Gouda or sharp cheddar cheese
07 - 1/3 cup red onion, thinly sliced
08 - 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro leaves, roughly chopped
09 - 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
10 - Freshly ground black pepper to taste
# How to Prepare:
01 - Preheat your oven to 475°F. If using a pizza stone, place it in the oven during preheating to ensure proper heat transfer.
02 - Lightly dust a pizza peel or baking sheet with cornmeal or flour. Stretch or roll the pizza dough into a 12-inch circle, maintaining even thickness throughout.
03 - Brush the dough lightly with olive oil to promote crust browning. Spread BBQ sauce evenly over the surface, leaving a 1/2-inch border for the crust.
04 - Sprinkle half of the mozzarella and smoked Gouda (or cheddar) over the BBQ sauce to create a base layer that helps bind toppings.
05 - Distribute shredded chicken and sliced red onion evenly across the pizza surface, ensuring full coverage.
06 - Sprinkle remaining cheese blend over the toppings, then season generously with freshly ground black pepper.
07 - Transfer pizza to the preheated oven and bake for 12 to 15 minutes, until crust turns golden brown and cheese bubbles with light browning.
08 - Remove from oven and allow to cool for 2 to 3 minutes, which helps set the cheese for cleaner slicing. Sprinkle with chopped fresh cilantro.
09 - Cut into wedges or squares and serve immediately while cheese remains melted and crust stays crisp.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The smoky, sweet BBQ sauce cuts through rich cheese like a flavor party in your mouth
- Ready in 35 minutes but tastes like you spent all day thinking about it
02 -
- A hot oven is non-negotiable—that crust needs to hit intense heat immediately
- Letting the pizza cool for even two minutes keeps the cheese from sliding off when you slice it
03 -
- Rotisserie chicken saves so much time and adds extra flavor to the party
- The cilantro must go on after baking—cooked cilantro tastes like disappointment