Irresistible BBQ Chicken Pizza Recipe Easy Grilled Pizza for Summer
A quick and easy grilled BBQ chicken pizza featuring smoky char, tender chicken, tangy BBQ sauce, melty cheese, and a crispy crust perfect for summer cookouts.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 ounces pizza dough (store-bought or homemade, fresh high-gluten recommended)
- 2 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded or diced (leftover rotisserie chicken works well)
- ⅓ cup BBQ sauce (sweet and tangy style, e.g., Sweet Baby Ray’s)
- ¼ cup BBQ sauce (for spreading on dough)
- 1 to 1½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese (whole milk recommended)
- Optional: smoked gouda or cheddar cheese for extra smoky flavor
- Thinly sliced red onion
- Fresh chopped cilantro for garnish
- Olive oil (for brushing dough)
- Salt and pepper (to season chicken and onions)
Instructions
- Preheat the grill to medium-high heat, about 450°F. If using charcoal, wait until coals are glowing red with a layer of ash. Close the lid and heat for 10-15 minutes.
- In a bowl, toss 2 cups cooked chicken breast with ⅓ cup BBQ sauce. Season lightly with salt and pepper.
- On a lightly floured surface, roll out 12 ounces of pizza dough into a 12-inch circle. Brush both sides lightly with olive oil.
- Place the dough directly on the grill grates. Grill for 2-3 minutes with lid closed until bottom has grill marks and looks firm.
- Flip the dough using a pizza peel or large spatula. Immediately spread ¼ cup BBQ sauce over the grilled side.
- Evenly distribute the BBQ chicken over the sauce, then sprinkle 1 to 1½ cups shredded mozzarella and thinly sliced red onions. Add smoked gouda or cheddar if desired.
- Close the grill lid and cook for another 4-5 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly and crust is golden and crisp.
- Remove pizza from grill, sprinkle fresh chopped cilantro on top, slice, and serve immediately.
Notes
Brush both sides of the dough with olive oil to prevent sticking and promote crispness. Manage grill heat carefully to avoid burning the crust. Use pre-cooked chicken tossed in BBQ sauce for best flavor and safety. Rotate pizza halfway through grilling for even cooking. For leftover pizza, reheat in a hot skillet or under a broiler to maintain crispiness.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: One-eighth of the pi
- Calories: 325
- Sugar: 6
- Sodium: 600
- Fat: 12
- Saturated Fat: 5
- Carbohydrates: 30
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 22
Keywords: BBQ chicken pizza, grilled pizza, summer recipe, easy pizza, outdoor cooking, barbecue, chicken pizza, smoky pizza