BBQ Chicken Pizza Recipe That’s Pure Comfort

Why You’ll Love this BBQ Chicken Pizza

Everyone who tries this BBQ Chicken Pizza falls in love at first bite. I’ve watched friends go from pizza skeptics to devoted fans in seconds flat.

What’s not to love? The homemade pizza sauce—a perfect blend of tomatoes, basil, and garlic—creates a foundation that’s miles beyond store-bought options.

Then there’s the chicken, bathed in tangy barbecue sauce that caramelizes slightly in the oven. The diced onions add just enough bite, while that blanket of melty cheese ties everything together.

Can you picture that first bite, with all those flavors mingling together? Trust me, this is comfort food that feels special enough for company.

What Ingredients are in BBQ Chicken Pizza?

Let’s gather everything we need for this mouthwatering BBQ chicken pizza before we plunge into the cooking process.

The beauty of this recipe is how it balances savory, tangy, and slightly sweet flavors in each bite.

And don’t worry about hunting down exotic ingredients—everything you need should be readily available at your local grocery store.

• 2 large chicken breasts
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 1¼ cups barbecue sauce
• 1 prepared pizza crust
• 1 can diced tomatoes
• 2 tablespoons diced garlic
• 1 tablespoon dry basil
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 cup four-cheese Mexican blend cheese (or pizza cheese)
• 1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste
• 1 teaspoon salt

Feel free to customize this ingredient list to suit your taste preferences.

Want a spicier pizza? Choose a barbecue sauce with a kick or add some red pepper flakes.

Prefer more cheese? Go ahead and pile it on—nobody’s judging!

And while the recipe calls for a prepared pizza crust, you can certainly use homemade dough if you’re feeling ambitious.

The Mexican cheese blend offers a nice complexity, but any good melting cheese works wonderfully here.

What matters most is that you enjoy the process and make it your own.

How to Make this BBQ Chicken Pizza

Start by preparing your flavorful homemade pizza sauce. In a medium bowl, combine 1 can of diced tomatoes, 1 (6 ounce) can of tomato paste, 1 teaspoon of salt, and 1 tablespoon of dry basil.

Then, in a saucepan, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil and sauté 2 tablespoons of diced garlic with about a third of your diced medium onion until fragrant and softened. This aromatic mixture gets stirred into your tomato base, creating a sauce that’s worlds better than anything store-bought. The garlic and onion infuse the sauce with depth that really complements the barbecue elements to come.

Now for the star of the show—the BBQ chicken. Dice 2 large chicken breasts into medium-sized squares and cook them in the same saucepan you used earlier (why dirty another dish, right?). Once the chicken is thoroughly cooked with no pink remaining, remove the pan from heat and stir in 1¼ cups of barbecue sauce until every piece is gloriously coated.

Next comes assembly: spread your homemade pizza sauce evenly over the prepared pizza crust, distribute the BBQ chicken pieces across the surface, and scatter the remaining onion on top. Finish with a generous blanket of 1 cup of four-cheese Mexican blend cheese or pizza cheese—I sometimes add a little extra because, well, it’s cheese!

The final step transforms these layered ingredients into pizza perfection. Preheat your oven to 450 degrees (this high temperature is essential for a properly crisp crust) and bake your masterpiece for 12 to 15 minutes.

You’re looking for that moment when the cheese has completely melted and is just beginning to bubble and brown in spots. The contrast between the tangy barbecue chicken, savory pizza sauce, and melted cheese creates a pizza that’s guaranteed to disappear quickly. Let it cool for just a minute before slicing—though I totally understand if you can’t wait that long.

BBQ Chicken Pizza Substitutions and Variations

While the classic BBQ chicken pizza recipe is delicious as written, there’s plenty of room to play with substitutions and variations that can match your taste preferences or accommodate what’s already in your pantry.

Try swapping chicken for pulled pork, or go vegetarian with roasted cauliflower. Not a fan of traditional BBQ sauce? I sometimes use a spicy Korean gochujang for an unexpected kick. You can also play with cheese options—smoked gouda adds depth, while pepper jack brings heat.

Need a low-carb version? I’ve used cauliflower crust with great results.

My personal favorite twist? Adding pineapple chunks. Controversial, I know, but trust me on this one.

What to Serve with BBQ Chicken Pizza

So what complements the sweet, tangy flavors of BBQ chicken pizza?

I’ve found that a crisp garden salad with a light vinaigrette cuts through the richness perfectly. Think peppery arugula or romaine with cucumber, cherry tomatoes, and a lemon dressing.

For drinks, an ice-cold craft beer (IPA works wonders) or lemonade balances the smoky BBQ notes.

My family loves when I serve garlic knots alongside—because who can resist more carbs?

For dessert, keep it simple with something invigorating.

Fresh fruit or a scoop of vanilla ice cream provides that sweet finale without overwhelming your taste buds after a flavor-packed meal.

Final Thoughts

After assembling the perfect meal with all those tasty sides, let’s wrap up this BBQ chicken pizza journey.

This homemade creation really combines the best of both worlds—tangy barbecue sauce, juicy chicken, and melty cheese on a crispy crust.

What’s not to love?

I find myself returning to this recipe whenever I’m craving comfort food with a twist.

The beauty lies in its simplicity and flexibility.

Forgot the Mexican cheese blend?

Regular mozzarella works just fine.

Want it spicier?

Add some jalapeños.

BBQ Chicken Pizza

This BBQ Chicken Pizza combines tangy barbecue-coated chicken, a flavorful homemade tomato sauce, and melty cheese on a crispy crust. The contrast between savory sauce, sweet barbecue, and caramelized onions creates an irresistible comfort food experience that’s perfect for any occasion.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 35 minutes mins

Servings: 4 people

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Calories: 520

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 tablespoon dry basil
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste
• 1 can diced tomatoes
• 1 prepared pizza crust
• 1 cup four-cheese Mexican blend cheese or pizza cheese
• 1¼ cups barbecue sauce
• 2 large chicken breasts diced into medium-sized squares
• 2 tablespoons diced garlic
• 1 medium onion diced

Equipment

• Saucepan
• Mixing bowl
• Baking sheet

Method

 

1. Preheat your oven to 450°F.
2. In a medium bowl, combine diced tomatoes, tomato paste, salt, and dry basil to create your pizza sauce base.
3. Heat olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Add the garlic and about one-third of the diced onion, sautéing until fragrant and softened.
4. Stir the sautéed garlic and onion mixture into your tomato base to complete the homemade pizza sauce.
5. Using the same saucepan, cook the diced chicken breasts until thoroughly cooked with no pink remaining.
6. Remove the pan from heat and stir in the barbecue sauce until all chicken pieces are evenly coated.
7. Spread the homemade pizza sauce evenly over the prepared pizza crust.
8. Distribute the BBQ chicken pieces across the sauce layer.
9. Scatter the remaining diced onion on top of the chicken.
10. Finish with an even layer of cheese across the entire pizza.
11. Bake for 12-15 minutes, until the cheese has completely melted and is beginning to bubble and brown in spots.
12. Allow to cool slightly before slicing and serving.

Notes

For a spicier version, choose a barbecue sauce with heat or add red pepper flakes to the pizza before baking. This pizza pairs wonderfully with a crisp garden salad dressed with light vinaigrette.

Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in a 350°F oven for 5-7 minutes to maintain the crispy crust texture.