Description
Sizzling BBQ chicken pizza delivers a mouthwatering fusion of smoky grilled flavors and zesty cilantro. Crisp crust meets tender chicken, melted cheese, and tangy barbecue sauce, promising a delightful culinary adventure you won’t want to miss.
Ingredients
Scale
Pizza Dough and Flour Ingredients:
- 2.5 cups (590 ml) all-purpose flour
- 1 packet (2.25 teaspoons) active dry yeast
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup (177 ml) warm water
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Protein and Cheese Ingredients:
- 1.5 cups (340 grams) cooked chicken breast, shredded
- 1.5 cups (170 grams) shredded mozzarella cheese
- 0.5 cup (57 grams) shredded cheddar cheese
Topping and Garnish Ingredients:
- 0.5 cup (118 ml) barbecue sauce
- 0.5 small red onion, thinly sliced
- 0.25 cup (15 grams) fresh cilantro leaves, chopped
- Additional barbecue sauce for drizzling
Instructions
- Activate the yeast by dissolving sugar in warm water, then sprinkle yeast and allow it to bloom for 5-10 minutes until it becomes frothy and aromatic.
- Create the pizza dough by incorporating olive oil, salt, and flour into the yeast mixture, kneading thoroughly until a smooth, elastic texture develops. Allow the dough to rise in a warm environment for approximately one hour or until it doubles in volume.
- Heat the oven to a high temperature of 475°F, positioning a pizza stone inside if available to ensure optimal heat distribution.
- Prepare the pizza base by rolling the dough into a circular shape on a lightly floured surface, maintaining an even thickness and creating a slightly raised outer edge.
- Apply a generous layer of barbecue sauce across the dough, ensuring complete coverage while leaving a small border for the crust.
- Distribute a blend of mozzarella and cheddar cheeses over the sauce, creating an even, melty foundation for the toppings.
- Arrange shredded chicken and thinly sliced red onions strategically across the cheese layer, ensuring balanced coverage.
- Sprinkle the remaining cheese over the toppings to create a rich, golden-brown surface during baking.
- Transfer the pizza to the preheated stone or baking sheet, cooking for 10-12 minutes until the crust turns golden and the cheese becomes bubbly and slightly caramelized.
- Immediately garnish the hot pizza with freshly chopped cilantro, adding a vibrant, herbaceous finish. Optionally drizzle additional barbecue sauce for enhanced flavor. Slice and serve while warm.
Notes
- Knead the dough thoroughly to develop gluten, creating a stretchy, tender crust that holds toppings perfectly.
- Choose a tangy, smoky barbecue sauce for deeper flavor complexity that complements the chicken and cheese.
- Shred chicken while it’s still warm for easier and more even distribution across the pizza surface.
- Pat chicken dry before adding to prevent excess moisture from making the crust soggy.
- For a gluten-free version, swap traditional flour with a high-quality gluten-free pizza dough mix or cauliflower crust.
- Experiment with different cheese blends like smoked gouda or pepper jack for a unique flavor profile.
- Chop cilantro just before sprinkling to maintain its bright, fresh taste and vibrant green color.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 300
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 36 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Cholesterol: 50 mg