Grilled BBQ Chicken Pizza Recipe

Coincidentally, while scrolling through summer recipe ideas, you'll discover the ultimate backyard grilling sensation: grilled BBQ chicken pizza. You'll want to master this crowd-pleasing dish that transforms ordinary ingredients into a smoky, crispy masterpiece. Imagine impressing your friends with a perfectly charred crust topped with tender, saucy chicken and melted cheese. Intrigued by the promise of a game-changing pizza experience? Keep reading to unlock the secrets of this mouthwatering culinary creation.

Recipe Highlights

• Marinate and grill chicken breast until fully cooked, then slice or shred for pizza topping.
• Prepare pizza dough by rolling to 1/8-1/4 inch thickness and brushing with olive oil for grilling.
• Preheat grill to medium-high heat and carefully transfer dough onto grates, cooking until bottom shows distinct grill marks.
• Top partially grilled dough with BBQ sauce, shredded chicken, mozzarella cheese, and thinly sliced red onions.
• Return topped pizza to grill, close lid, and cook for 3-4 minutes until cheese melts and crust becomes crispy.

History

Although pizza has ancient roots, the BBQ chicken pizza is a relatively modern culinary invention that emerged in the late 20th century.

You'll find its origins trace back to California, where innovative chefs like Ed LaDou began experimenting with non-traditional pizza toppings.

At Wolfgang Puck's famous Spago restaurant in Los Angeles, chefs started combining unexpected ingredients, transforming pizza from a traditional Italian dish into a canvas for creative cuisine.

The BBQ chicken pizza specifically gained popularity in the 1990s, reflecting America's growing love for fusion foods and bold flavor combinations.

Restaurant chains like California Pizza Kitchen helped popularize this specific style, introducing diners nationwide to the tangy, smoky combination of barbecue sauce, grilled chicken, and melted cheese on a crispy pizza crust.

Recipe

Grilled BBQ Chicken Pizza combines the rustic charm of outdoor cooking with the universal appeal of pizza. This recipe transforms simple ingredients into a mouthwatering dish that captures the essence of summer gatherings and casual dining, offering a perfect balance of smoky, tangy, and cheesy flavors.

The beauty of this pizza lies in its simplicity and the technique of grilling, which imparts a unique charred texture and depth of flavor that traditional oven-baked pizzas can't match. By using pre-cooked ingredients and a carefully managed grill temperature, home cooks can easily create a restaurant-quality meal in their own backyard.

Ingredients:

• 1 pre-made pizza dough
• 1/2 cup BBQ sauce
• 1 cup cooked, shredded chicken
• 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
• Olive oil for brushing

Preheat the grill to medium-high heat, targeting around 400°F. Roll out the pizza dough on a floured surface to approximately 12 inches in diameter, ensuring an even thickness. Brush one side of the dough generously with olive oil to prevent sticking and promote beautiful grill marks.

Place the oiled side of the dough directly on the grill grates and cook for 2-3 minutes until distinct grill marks appear and the dough begins to bubble. Carefully flip the dough using tongs or a large spatula. Quickly spread BBQ sauce across the grilled surface, leaving a small border around the edges.

Distribute the shredded chicken evenly, sprinkle mozzarella cheese, and top with thinly sliced red onions. Close the grill lid and cook for an additional 3-4 minutes, or until the cheese melts completely and the bottom of the crust achieves a golden-brown, crispy texture. The key is to maintain consistent heat and avoid burning by monitoring the pizza closely and adjusting grill temperature as needed.

To ensure the best grilled BBQ chicken pizza experience, have all ingredients prepared and within reach before starting the grilling process. The cooking happens quickly, so mise en place is crucial. Allow the pizza to rest for 2-3 minutes after removing from the grill, which helps the cheese set and makes slicing easier.

For added flavor, consider garnishing with fresh chopped cilantro or a drizzle of extra BBQ sauce just before serving.

Cooking Steps

You'll want to start by preparing your pizza dough surface with a generous dusting of flour, ensuring it won't stick when you transfer it to the grill.

Brush the dough evenly with olive oil, which helps create those coveted golden-brown grill marks and prevents sticking during cooking.

When you're ready to grill, carefully place the oiled side down on the preheated grates, then quickly top with cheese and other toppings, keeping a close eye on heat and positioning to achieve that perfect crispy crust.

Step 1. Prepare Pizza Dough Surface

One key step in crafting the perfect grilled BBQ chicken pizza involves meticulously preparing your pizza dough surface for optimal grilling performance.

Start by lightly flouring your work surface, ensuring an even coating that prevents sticking without creating thick flour deposits.

Roll out the dough using gentle, consistent pressure, aiming for a uniform thickness between 1/8 and 1/4 inch. Use smooth, radial motions with your rolling pin, rotating the dough periodically to maintain a circular shape. Check for even thickness by lifting and examining the edges, patching any thin spots carefully.

Before transferring to the grill, brush the dough's surface with olive oil, which promotes beautiful grill marks and prevents potential sticking.

Your goal: a smooth, well-prepared canvas ready for delicious toppings.

Step 2. Brush Dough With Oil

Brushing your pizza dough with oil transforms a simple ingredient into a grilling masterpiece, creating a protective barrier that prevents sticking and promotes beautiful caramelization. Choose a high smoke-point oil like canola or grapeseed for best results.

Use a silicone brush or clean paper towel to apply a thin, even layer across the entire surface of the rolled-out dough.

Key oil application tips:

• Apply oil just before grilling
• Use approximately 1-2 tablespoons
• Ensure complete coverage without pooling
• Focus on edges and surface uniformity

The oil serves multiple crucial functions: preventing adhesion to grill grates, facilitating heat transfer, and helping develop a crisp, golden-brown exterior.

When applied correctly, your dough will release easily and develop those coveted professional-looking grill marks that elevate homemade pizza from good to exceptional.

Step 3. Place Dough on Grill

After carefully coating your dough with oil, the moment arrives to transform that flat disk into a sizzling grilled pizza masterpiece.

Gently lower the oiled side onto the preheated grill grates, positioning it carefully to avoid tears or wrinkles. Watch for immediate sizzling sounds, a sign of perfect heat contact. Cook for 2-3 minutes, maintaining medium-high temperature around 400°F.

Check for distinctive grill marks and a golden-brown color developing underneath. Look for visual cues:

• Crisp, slightly raised edges
• Bubbling surface
• Golden-brown color with dark char lines
• Firm, not soggy texture

When the bottom reaches optimal crispness, use tongs to confidently flip the dough. The first side should display beautiful crosshatch grill marks, signaling you're ready for toppings.

Move quickly and precisely during this crucial stage.

Step 4. Top With Cheese

The cheese layer transforms your grilled pizza from a bare canvas to a mouthwatering masterpiece. Sprinkle 1-1½ cups of shredded mozzarella evenly across the BBQ sauce, ensuring complete coverage without overwhelming the other toppings.

Distribute the cheese strategically, leaving a small border around the pizza's edge for a crisp crust. The mozzarella should be freshly shredded for optimal melting—pre-packaged cheese often contains anti-caking agents that can inhibit smooth melting.

Look for a light, even coating that'll create those irresistible, stretchy cheese pulls when you slice the pizza. When you're satisfied with the cheese distribution, you're ready for the final grilling stage that'll melt the cheese to golden, bubbly perfection.

Step 5. Remove Carefully

Once your cheese has melted into a golden, bubbly landscape, you'll want to extract your grilled BBQ chicken pizza with precision and care.

Use heavy-duty grill mitts to protect your hands from intense heat. Slide a large, flat metal spatula carefully under the pizza's edge, supporting its entire bottom surface to prevent tearing or breaking. Transfer the pizza to a clean, wooden cutting board with smooth, controlled movements.

Key removal tips:

• Keep the spatula flat and angled slightly upward
• Move slowly and deliberately
• Support the entire pizza's weight evenly
• Avoid sudden jerking motions

Let the pizza rest for 2-3 minutes, allowing the cheese to set and the crust to stabilize before slicing into wedges with a sharp pizza wheel.

Final Thoughts

Every home cook can master this delectable grilled BBQ chicken pizza with a bit of practice and passion.

The key is understanding your equipment, ingredients, and technique. Your grill becomes an extension of your culinary creativity, transforming simple ingredients into a smoky, flavor-packed meal.

Pay attention to heat management, pizza placement, and topping distribution—these details make the difference between a good and great pizza.

Pro tips for success:

• Keep ingredients prepped and within reach
• Monitor grill temperature closely
• Use tongs for precise pizza handling
• Let pizza rest before slicing

With confidence and careful execution, you'll create a restaurant-quality dish that impresses family and friends.

The perfect grilled BBQ chicken pizza is just moments away, waiting for your expert touch.