If you love the irresistible smoky flavor of BBQ paired with the cheesy goodness of pizza, you’re in for a real treat. This Grilled BBQ Chicken Pizza Recipe takes your taste buds on a mouthwatering journey by combining tender, BBQ-coated chicken with a perfectly grilled crust layered with melty mozzarella and Gouda cheeses. It’s the kind of recipe you’ll want to share with friends at your next backyard gathering, or simply enjoy as a comforting meal that’s packed with flavor and texture. Grilling the pizza gives it a crisp, charred edge that store-bought versions simply can’t match.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering the ingredients for this pizza is wonderfully simple, yet each one plays an essential role in building the dish’s layers of flavor and texture. From the hearty shredded chicken to the vibrant red onions and fresh cilantro, everything comes together beautifully to balance smoky, cheesy, tangy, and fresh notes.
- Premade pizza dough: Using room temperature dough makes stretching easier and ensures a tender crust with a slight chew.
- Cooked shredded chicken: A perfect protein base that soaks up the BBQ sauce flavor wonderfully.
- BBQ sauce: Divided for brushing the crust and coating the chicken, it adds tangy sweetness and smoky depth.
- Shredded mozzarella cheese: Melts beautifully for creamy, stretchy cheese pulls.
- Shredded Gouda cheese: Offers a subtle smoky, buttery richness that complements mozzarella well.
- Thinly sliced red onion: Adds crunch and sharpness that cuts through the richness.
- Fresh cilantro: Sprinkled on top as a bright, herbal garnish to finish the pizza perfectly.
How to Make Grilled BBQ Chicken Pizza Recipe
Step 1: Prepare and Stretch the Dough
Start by dusting your pizza stone or rimless baking sheet with flour to prevent sticking. Stretch your room temperature dough into your desired shape—it’s fun to play with it and craft a rustic look. Let the dough rest for 10 minutes before stretching again; this helps relax the gluten for a tender crust.
Step 2: Preheat the Grill and Prepare Grates
Get your grill up to high heat—this is key to achieving a crispy, slightly charred crust that has great texture. Lightly grease the grates with nonstick spray or oil to keep the dough from sticking, making flipping easier.
Step 3: Grill the Dough First Side
Place the stretched dough directly on the hot grill. Close the lid and let it cook for about 5 minutes until grill marks appear and the crust firms but is not fully cooked yet. This initial grilling seals in charred flavor and sets a perfect base.
Step 4: Flip and Add First Toppings
Carefully flip the dough so the grilled side faces up. Immediately brush this side with ½ cup of BBQ sauce to infuse it with smoky, tangy flavor. Sprinkle half of the mozzarella and Gouda cheeses evenly on top for that melty, rich cheese layer.
Step 5: Add BBQ Chicken Mixture
In a bowl, toss the shredded chicken with the remaining BBQ sauce, ensuring every piece is well coated. Spread this chicken mixture evenly over the cheese layer—this builds the hearty, flavorful topping central to the Grilled BBQ Chicken Pizza Recipe.
Step 6: Top with Onions and Remaining Cheese, Then Grill Again
Scatter the thinly sliced red onions on top of the chicken, adding a burst of sharpness. Finally, sprinkle the rest of the mozzarella and Gouda cheeses over everything. Place the pizza back on the grill, cover, and cook for another 4–5 minutes. The cheese should melt into a bubbly, golden layer and the crust should finish cooking.
Step 7: Rest, Slice, and Garnish
Remove the pizza from the grill and let it rest for a few minutes—this helps the cheese set slightly and makes slicing easier. Garnish generously with fresh cilantro for a fresh, herbal finish that brightens the whole pizza.
How to Serve Grilled BBQ Chicken Pizza Recipe
Garnishes
Fresh cilantro is the star garnish here, providing a vibrant green contrast and a hint of brightness to the smoky, cheesy flavors. You can also add a sprinkle of chili flakes for heat or a squeeze of lime for a zingy twist.
Side Dishes
This pizza pairs wonderfully with a simple green salad dressed lightly with lemon vinaigrette or a crunchy coleslaw to balance the richness. For something heartier, grilled corn on the cob brushed with herb butter complements the BBQ theme delightfully.
Creative Ways to Present
Cut your pizza into smaller squares for a fun party appetizer or serve it family-style on a wooden board for casual sharing. You can even add a drizzle of extra BBQ sauce or a dollop of sour cream on the side for dipping.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover Grilled BBQ Chicken Pizza in an airtight container or wrap tightly with foil in the refrigerator. It will keep well for 2 to 3 days while maintaining good texture and flavor.
Freezing
While this pizza is best fresh, you can freeze cooked slices by wrapping them individually in plastic wrap and placing them in a freezer bag. Freeze for up to 1 month. Thaw in the refrigerator before reheating for best results.
Reheating
To reheat, pop slices in a preheated oven or toaster oven at 375°F for about 8–10 minutes until warmed through and the crust re-crisps. Avoid the microwave if you want to keep the crust from getting soggy.
FAQs
Can I use homemade pizza dough for this recipe?
Absolutely! Homemade dough works just as well and lets you customize thickness and flavor. Just make sure it’s stretched evenly and at room temperature for the best grilling results.
What type of BBQ sauce works best?
Choose a BBQ sauce you love—whether it’s smoky, sweet, or spicy, it will shine in this recipe. Try to avoid overly thin sauces as thicker ones cling better to the chicken and dough.
Can I make this pizza without a grill?
You can replicate a similar effect by using a pizza stone in a very hot oven, though the charred flavor will be less pronounced. If grilling isn’t an option, bake on the stone at the highest oven temperature for about 12-15 minutes.
Is Gouda cheese necessary?
While Gouda adds a lovely smoky, creamy flavor, you can substitute it with smoked mozzarella or a mild cheddar if you prefer different cheese combinations. It’s all about layering flavors you enjoy.
How do I prevent the pizza dough from sticking to the grill?
Make sure your grill grates are clean and well-oiled before placing the dough. Using nonstick spray or brushing with oil helps tremendously. Also, preheating the grill fully ensures the dough sets quickly and doesn’t stick.
Final Thoughts
There’s something truly special about cooking pizza on the grill, and this Grilled BBQ Chicken Pizza Recipe captures that magic perfectly. The smoky crust, saucy chicken, and oozing cheese all come together in a harmony of flavors that’s bound to become a favorite in your recipe collection. Give it a try, and watch how quickly it disappears at your next meal or gathering!
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Grilled BBQ Chicken Pizza Recipe
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
Description
This Grilled BBQ Chicken Pizza combines smoky, tangy barbecue flavors with melted mozzarella and gouda cheeses atop a crisp, grilled pizza crust. Featuring shredded chicken tossed in BBQ sauce and topped with red onions and fresh cilantro, this recipe offers a delicious twist on traditional pizza that’s perfect for outdoor cooking enthusiasts.
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 the Dough: On a floured pizza stone or rimless baking sheet, stretch the pizza dough into your desired shape. Let it rest for 10 minutes to relax the gluten, then stretch again to achieve the perfect size and thickness.
- Preheat Grill: Heat your grill to high heat and grease the grates well with nonstick spray or oil to prevent sticking.
- Grill the Dough: Place the stretched dough directly on the hot grill grates. Close the lid and cook for 5 minutes until the bottom is grilled with nice char marks.
- Flip and Add First Layers: Remove the dough carefully from the grill and flip it so the grilled side faces up. Brush the grilled surface with ½ cup of BBQ sauce, then sprinkle half of the mozzarella and Gouda cheese evenly over the sauce.
- Toss Chicken and Top: In a bowl, mix the shredded chicken with the remaining 2 tablespoons of BBQ sauce. Spread this BBQ chicken mixture evenly over the cheese layer on the pizza.
- Add Remaining Toppings and Continue Grilling: Top the pizza with thinly sliced red onion, followed by the remaining mozzarella and Gouda cheese. Return the pizza to the grill and cook for another 4-5 minutes, closing the lid, until the crust is cooked through and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Rest and Garnish: 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 to oil the grill grates well to avoid dough sticking and tearing.
- Use a pizza peel or spatula to help flip the dough safely on the grill.
- Adjust grill heat as needed to prevent burning the crust while melting the cheese.
- Leftover grilled pizza can be reheated on the grill or in an oven for best texture.
- Substitute gouda with smoked cheddar for a different smoky flavor profile.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Pizza
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: American
