If you are craving the perfect balance of smoky, tangy, and cheesy flavors all wrapped up in a crispy crust, then this Grilled BBQ Chicken Pizza Recipe is about to become your new go-to. Imagine biting into a pizza that boasts tender, BBQ-coated chicken layered over a blend of gooey mozzarella and smoky Gouda, all grilled to perfection on your backyard grill. It’s an effortlessly impressive dish that combines the comfort of homemade pizza with the vibrant flavors of your favorite barbecue, making every bite pure joy.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this recipe lies in how simple, yet thoughtfully selected ingredients create a symphony of taste, texture, and color. Each component plays a key role, from the chewy dough that crisps up beautifully on the grill, to the rich cheeses that melt into gooey ribbons, to the zesty BBQ chicken that steals the show.
- Premade pizza dough: Using room temperature dough makes for easy stretching and a perfectly chewy crust.
- Cooked shredded chicken: A tender base that absorbs the BBQ sauce wonderfully for juicy bites.
- BBQ sauce: Divided for layering, this adds a tangy, smoky punch that defines the pizza’s flavor.
- Shredded mozzarella cheese: The classic melty cheese that gives the pizza a smooth, stretchy texture.
- Shredded Gouda cheese: Adds a subtle smoky richness, perfectly complementing the BBQ sauce.
- Thinly sliced red onion: Provides a crisp, slightly sweet bite and a splash of color.
- Fresh cilantro: Garnish that adds brightness and fresh herbal notes to finish.
How to Make Grilled BBQ Chicken Pizza Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Dough
Start by working with your premade pizza dough laid on a floured surface or a rimless baking sheet. Stretch and shape it into your ideal pizza form, whether round or oval. Let it rest for 10 minutes to relax the gluten, then stretch it once more to reach your desired size and thickness. This resting step helps achieve a dough that’s both resilient and tender after grilling.
Step 2: Preheat Grill
While the dough rests, preheat your grill to high heat and make sure to grease the grates well using nonstick spray or a light coating of oil. This essential preparation keeps the dough from sticking and helps develop those classic grill marks and a perfectly crispy crust.
Step 3: Grill Dough
Place the dough directly onto the hot grill grates, close the lid, and let it cook undisturbed for about 5 minutes. This step crisps the dough’s bottom and infuses it with a smoky char flavor that can only come from the grill.
Step 4: Flip and Add Toppings
Carefully remove the dough, flip it over so the grilled side faces up, and brush it generously with half of your BBQ sauce. Sprinkle half of the mozzarella and Gouda cheeses over the sauce. This layering ensures a gooey, cheesy base for your toppings to shine on.
Step 5: Add Chicken
In a bowl, mix the shredded chicken with the remaining BBQ sauce until well coated. Spread this flavorful chicken mixture evenly over the cheese layer, making sure every slice will have a juicy bite of chicken.
Step 6: Finish and Grill
Top the pizza with thin slices of red onion and sprinkle the remaining mozzarella and Gouda cheese on top. Return the pizza to the grill with the lid closed, cooking for another 4 to 5 minutes or until the crust is fully cooked and the cheese has melted into bubbly perfection.
Step 7: Rest and Serve
Once cooked, take the pizza off the grill and allow it to rest for a few minutes. This step lets the cheese set slightly, making slicing easier and keeping toppings in place. Garnish with fresh cilantro just before serving to add a pop of herbal freshness.
How to Serve Grilled BBQ Chicken Pizza Recipe
Garnishes
The magic finishing touch for your Grilled BBQ Chicken Pizza Recipe is fresh cilantro. This vibrant herb not only adds a beautiful bright green contrast, but its slightly citrusy flavor perfectly balances the smoky richness of the BBQ sauce and cheese.
Side Dishes
Pair this pizza with a simple green salad tossed in a light vinaigrette or some grilled corn on the cob for a complete, summer-inspired meal. The freshness of the salad or the natural sweetness of corn complements the savory, smoky pizza wonderfully.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, try cutting the pizza into smaller squares for a casual, shareable appetizer at your next gathering. Alternatively, serve it with dipping sauces like ranch or extra BBQ sauce to make the experience interactive and extra flavorful.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover Grilled BBQ Chicken Pizza Recipe tastes fantastic refrigerated. Store slices in an airtight container or wrap tightly in foil and chill for up to 3 days. The flavors tend to deepen overnight, making for even better leftovers.
Freezing
If you want to save slices for later, wrap each slice individually in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe bag. Freeze for up to 2 months. Just defrost in the fridge overnight before reheating for the best texture.
Reheating
To reheat, warm the pizza slices in a skillet over medium heat or in the oven at 375°F (190°C) until the crust is crisp again and the cheese is melty. Avoid microwaving if possible, as it can make the crust soggy.
FAQs
Can I use homemade pizza dough for this Grilled BBQ Chicken Pizza Recipe?
Absolutely! Homemade dough works beautifully and lets you customize thickness and flavor. Just be sure to bring it to room temperature for ease of stretching.
What type of BBQ sauce is best for this pizza?
Choose a BBQ sauce with a balanced flavor—something not too sweet or too smoky—so it complements the chicken and cheese without overpowering them.
Can I prepare this pizza on an indoor grill or grill pan?
Yes! An indoor grill or grill pan will still give you that lovely char and smoky flavor, though it may take a bit more attention to prevent sticking.
Is there a way to make this recipe vegetarian?
You can swap the chicken for grilled vegetables like bell peppers, mushrooms, and zucchini mixed with BBQ sauce for a delicious vegetarian version.
How do I prevent the pizza dough from sticking to the grill?
Greasing your grill grates well and ensuring your dough is at room temperature with a bit of flour will help keep it from sticking. Also, avoid moving the dough too soon while it’s cooking.
Final Thoughts
This Grilled BBQ Chicken Pizza Recipe really brings together the best of summer grilling with the irresistible comfort of pizza. It’s a fun, flavorful way to impress friends or treat your family to something special without spending hours in the kitchen. Trust me, once you try it, it’ll quickly become one of your absolute favorites to make and share!
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Grilled BBQ Chicken Pizza Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Grilled BBQ Chicken Pizza recipe combines smoky grilled dough with tangy BBQ sauce, tender shredded chicken, and a blend of mozzarella and Gouda cheeses. Topped with thinly sliced red onions and fresh cilantro, it’s a perfect summer meal that’s both flavorful and easy to prepare on the grill.
Ingredients
Pizza Base
- 1 premade pizza dough (from the grocery store), room temperature
Toppings
- 1 ½ cups cooked chicken, shredded
- ½ cup plus 2 tablespoons BBQ sauce, divided
- 1 ¼ cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
- 1 ¼ cups shredded Gouda cheese, divided
- ½ cup thinly sliced red onion
- Fresh cilantro, for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare Dough: On a floured pizza stone or rimless baking sheet, stretch the premade pizza dough into your desired shape. Let it rest for 10 minutes, then stretch it again gently to the final size and shape.
- Preheat Grill: Preheat your grill to high heat. Make sure to grease the grill grates well with nonstick spray or oil to prevent sticking.
- Grill Dough: Place the dough directly onto the hot grill grates and close the lid. Let it cook for 5 minutes to achieve a smoky, crisp crust on the bottom.
- Flip and Add Toppings: Carefully remove the dough from the grill, flip it so the grilled side is facing up. Brush this side evenly with ½ cup of BBQ sauce, then sprinkle half of the shredded mozzarella and Gouda cheese evenly on top.
- Add Chicken: In a bowl, combine the shredded chicken with the remaining 2 tablespoons of BBQ sauce. Spread this BBQ-coated chicken mixture evenly over the cheese layer on the pizza.
- Finish and Grill: Top the pizza with thinly sliced red onions and the remaining mozzarella and Gouda cheese. Place the pizza back on the grill, close the lid, and cook for an additional 4-5 minutes, or until the crust is cooked through and the cheese has melted and is bubbly.
- Rest and Serve: Remove the pizza from the grill and let it rest for a few minutes to set. Garnish with fresh cilantro before slicing and serving.
Notes
- Make sure the grill is hot to get a nicely charred crust on the dough.
- Use a pizza stone or rimless baking sheet for easier shaping of the dough.
- For a spicier kick, add sliced jalapeños or cayenne pepper to the toppings.
- Leftover BBQ chicken pizza can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days and reheated in the oven for best texture.
- Ensure the dough is at room temperature before stretching to prevent tearing.
