Smoky, savory BBQ chicken pizza, made fast and delicious right on the grill. Topped with tender pieces of chicken, bacon, onion, tomato, peppers, and corn.
Jessica’s Recipe Science
- A hot grill rapidly turns water in the dough into steam, expanding the dough and creating a light, airy interior with a crisp crust.
- Brushing the dough with a thin layer of olive oil prevents it from sticking to the hot grill grates and promotes a crisp crust.
- Lowering the grill temperature after adding the toppings melts the cheese and cooks the vegetables without burning the crust.
Why It Works
The grill isn’t just a means for firing up hearty pieces of meat, oh no, my friend. If you haven’t thrown a pizza directly on those sizzling hot grates, then you’ve been missing out on crispy, cheesy bliss. No fancy outdoor oven, pizza stone, or pizza pan needed. You’ll learn how to grill pizza with my step-by-step instructions.
Get ready to be amazed by how easy and delicious it is to make homemade pizza right on your grill. I’m all about grilled barbecue chicken, so I created a recipe inspired by the flavors you’d find at a BBQ feast. Ready to give this technique a try? Just grab some store-bought or homemade dough. I can’t wait to hear what you think of the results!
Jump To a Section
- Jessica’s Recipe Science
- Why It Works
- Ingredients You’ll Need
- Ingredient Substitutions
- How to Grill BBQ Chicken Pizza
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Recipe Details
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Pizza Dough: You will need 1 pound of store-bought crust or a homemade pizza dough recipe.
- Barbecue Sauce: Homemade barbecue sauce is easy to make, or grab a bottle of your favorite BBQ sauce for convenience. I like Sweet Baby Ray’s as a store-bought option.
- Cheese: Melty mozzarella and Smoked Gouda for layers of flavor.
- Vegetables: Fresh tomatoes, green bell peppers, red onion, and corn add texture.
- Meat: I add savory chopped bacon for a smoky flavor. This pizza recipe is a great way to use up leftover chicken! I often use marinated chicken, roasted chicken, or grilled chicken for a quick pizza topping.
See the recipe card below for all ingredients and measurements (US and metric).
Ingredient Substitutions
The barbecue chicken pizza recipe is easy to customize! Try these delicious options:
- Pizza Crust: I prefer to make homemade pizza crust from scratch, but grocery stores carry 1 pound of raw dough in the refrigerated section. You can also use par-baked crusts or focaccia; just watch the cook time on the grill or when baking in the oven.
- Sauce Options: Add a marinara sauce for a traditional pizza flavor, or basil pesto.
- Cheese Swaps: Add slices of fresh mozzarella, sharp cheddar, Monterey Jack, pepper jack, provolone, or sprinkle Parmesan on top for the best serving.
- Protein Options: Add cooked chicken breast or thighs from rotisserie chicken, shredded turkey, chicken sausage, pepperoni, Canadian bacon, or crumbles of pork sausage.
- Vegetables: Add sun-dried tomatoes, roasted red peppers, mushrooms, olives, or jalapeño slices for a spicy kick.
- Herbs: Garnish with fresh cilantro, chives, parsley, or basil.
How to Grill BBQ Chicken Pizza
Step 1: Shape the Pizza Dough
The parchment paper and light flouring help prevent the dough from sticking, making it easier to transfer to the hot grill without tearing or losing its shape. Gently stretching the dough instead of overworking it also helps preserve the gluten structure, resulting in a crust that is easier to shape and pleasantly chewy rather than tough. Aim for a 12-inch crust.
Step 2: Heat the Grill
The ideal pizza temperature is 500-600°F (550°F target), which you can easily reach on a barbecue grill. This heat not only gives you a crispy crust, but also causes “oven spring,” when steam created by water trapped inside the dough and air creates bubbles, making it expand at the beginning of cooking.
The result is large holes in the dough that create a delicate balance between a crunchy crust and a soft, airy interior. Clean and oil the grates well to prevent the dough from sticking.
Step 3: Grill the Pizza Crust
Brush the top of the pizza dough with olive oil. Work quickly to transfer the dough from the parchment paper to the grill, then use tongs to shape the edges into a round. Cover and cook for about 2 minutes; the dough will bubble, creating a thicker, chewier crust.
For a flatter pizza, leave the BBQ uncovered and cook the first side for 2 to 3 minutes, until crispy. Checking that the crust releases easily helps prevent tearing when it’s time to flip and add the toppings.
Ingredient Chemistry: The grill’s high heat quickly sets the dough’s structure while browning the bottom, and briefly covering the grill traps heat to help the top cook evenly. The olive oil promotes browning and crisping, while the bubbling indicates steam is expanding within the dough and creating air pockets.
Step 4: Add the Toppings
Now that one side is cooked, flip the dough over and add the toppings quickly. Work fast so the bottom doesn’t burn. Another option is to take the half-cooked dough off the grill, add toppings to the cooked side, then carefully transfer it back and finish cooking. Play around and see what works best for you because each barbecue grill is different.
Spread the barbecue sauce on top, followed by the cheese, tomatoes, bell peppers, onions, corn, bacon, and chicken. Turn the heat down to medium-low, close the grill, and cook for 4 to 5 more minutes, until the base is toasted and the cheese melts. I’ve noticed that my bottom crust gets pretty toasty. If you prefer less of a charred crust, then turn the heat down to low before flipping.
Pro Tip: Want even more bold flavor? Toss the chicken in a little bit of barbecue sauce before adding it to the pizza. It also helps to prevent the chicken from drying out.
Step 5: To Serve
Finish with sliced green onions, a drizzle of barbecue sauce, freshly cracked black pepper, and a dash of kosher salt. This is an easy recipe for a quick weeknight dinner. My kids say that this is the best BBQ chicken pizza, and we often make it for family pizza night.
If you’re in the mood for pizza, try my other pizza recipes like meat lover’s pizza, buffalo chicken pizza for game day, or my personal and polarizing favorite, Hawaiian pizza.
Frequently Asked Questions
What toppings go on barbecue chicken pizza?
What are common mistakes when grilling pizza?
How do I make BBQ chicken pizza in the oven?
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If you tried this Grilled BBQ Chicken Pizza Recipe, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below!