This article was inspired by content originally published on Sally’s Baking Addiction by Sally McKenney
Introduction
There’s something magnetic about BBQ chicken pizza—a perfect fusion of barbecue warmth and cheesy comfort. Sally McKenney’s version, which blends tangy BBQ sauce, smoked Gouda, mozzarella, rotisserie chicken, and fresh cilantro atop homemade dough, is a testament to how a simple twist can make a classic shine.
But those flavors tell a deeper story: one ripe with opportunities for enthusiasts, suppliers, and shop owners to innovate their way to pizza greatness.
Ingredients
- 1 pizza dough
- ½ cup BBQ sauce (hickory or honey BBQ)
- 1 cup shredded cooked chicken
- 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ red onion (sliced)
- ½ cup cheddar cheese
- 1 tbsp chopped cilantro
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 475°F (245°C).
- Stretch the dough onto a pizza stone or tray.
- Spread BBQ sauce evenly, then add mozzarella cheese.
- Top with shredded chicken, sliced onions, and cheddar cheese.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes or until the crust is golden and crispy.
- Garnish with fresh cilantro before serving.
🔥 For Home Enthusiasts: Elevate Your DIY Pizza Night
Sally’s recipe proves you don’t need a restaurant oven to score big. Her homemade dough—a six-ingredient, easy-to-freeze formula—creates a crisp edge with a fluffy chew .
Pizza Pro Tip: Crank up the heat. Use a pizza steel or a portable Ooni pizza oven to mimic a pizzeria’s scorching environment. A temperature spike gives you that coveted leopard-spot char and demanding bake—an upgrade from Sally’s recommended 475°F bake.
📊 For Shop Owners: Turn BBQ Chicken Pizza into Profit Pie
This pizza starts with universal appeal and toppings that encourage upsells. Slicing into this concept, shop owners can build a compelling strategy.
- Build‑your‑own bar: Offer rotisserie or pre-shredded chicken, Gouda, mozzarella, red onion, cilantro, and a trio of BBQ sauces—from sweet honey to spicy chipotle.
- Bundle promotions: Introduce a “Game Night Combo” featuring a BBQ pie, side of honey-BBQ popcorn chicken, and a craft soda flight.
- Data‑driven topping tiers: Use a robust POS like Toast or Square (affiliate links) to monitor which toppings drive orders and margins—tracking Gouda’s performance against mozzarella.
Efficiency hack: Pre-toss chicken in sauce, shred in bulk, and store in vacuum-sealed pouches to streamline prep and maintain freshness.
📦 For Suppliers: Meet the Demand for Premium & Prep-Ready Ingredients
The BBQ chicken pizza trend unlocks rich niches for food distributors and equipment vendors:
- Cheese blends: Bulk bags of low-moisture mozzarella or smoked Gouda cater to high-turn kitchens.
- Pre-cooked proteins: Rotisserie chicken packs and seasoned BBQ-style chicken cubes reduce prep time.
- Sauce diversity: Offer pump-friendly BBQ sauces, from vinegar-based Carolina red to molasses-rich Kansas City styled blends.
Affiliate suggestion: Suppliers can offer bulk cheese, chicken kits, and sauce assortments through efficient supply platforms like WebstaurantStore or GFS.
🗣️ Hypothetical Expert Insight
“Don’t underestimate the power of crosstown flavor mashups,” says pizza consultant Marco Li.
“BBQ chicken pie hits on familiarity while also standing apart. Shops that offer even slight customization—extra onion, cilantro garnish, drizzle of ranch—create memorable value that people talk about.”
🔄 Industry Trend: Fusion Flavors That Deliver
Sally’s pizza doesn’t just satisfy—it sparks creativity. Consider these variations:
- Spicy honey BBQ: Swap red onion for jalapeños, add a drizzle of honey, and finish with cilantro.
- Tex‑Mex twist: Add black beans, corn, queso fresco, and finish with lime crema.
- Smoky vegan option: Use vegan cheddar/Gouda, BBQ jackfruit, and vegan ranch for plant-based depth.
These iterations honor the original while addressing dietary preferences—vegan, gluten-free, low-carb—creating versatility and reach.
🎉 Final Slice: BBQ Chicken Pizza as a Canvas
What started in Sally’s kitchen has become more than a recipe—it’s a springboard for flavor innovation. For enthusiasts, it’s a delicious challenge. For shop owners, a profitable specialty offering. For suppliers, a growth vector grounded in customization and convenience.
At its heart, this pizza proves that comfort food can be clever food—the perfect blend of familiar warmth and creative spark. So fire up your oven, roll out that dough, and get ready to serve a slice of success.
Affiliate Disclosure: This article contains affiliate links, which means Pizza Magazine may earn a commission if you make a purchase through them. We only recommend products that enhance flavor, efficiency, and enjoyment in pizza making.
