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California BBQ Chicken Pizza Recipe

California BBQ Chicken Pizza Recipe

Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cook Time: 12 minutes
Total Time: 37 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Keyword: BBQChicken, BBQPizza, CaliforniaBBQChickenPizza, GourmetPizza, LAPizza, Pizza, WestCoastPizza
Servings: 4 people
Author: Jay Trabelsi

Ingredients

For the Dough (or use store-bought):

  • 250 g 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 160 ml 2/3 cup warm water
  • 1 tsp active dry yeast
  • 1 tsp sugar
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tbsp olive oil

For the BBQ Sauce Base:

  • 4 tbsp tangy barbecue sauce your favorite brand or homemade

Toppings:

  • 150 g 5 oz grilled chicken breast, sliced or shredded
  • 120 g 4 oz fresh mozzarella, shredded or torn
  • 1/2 red onion thinly sliced
  • 1/4 cup fresh cilantro leaves added after baking
  • 1 tbsp olive oil for brushing edges
  • 1 pinch crushed red pepper flakes optional, for heat

Instructions

Preparation:

    Make the Dough:

    • In a bowl, combine warm water, sugar, and yeast. Let it rest for 5–7 minutes until foamy.
    • In a large bowl, mix flour and salt. Add yeast mixture and olive oil. Knead for 6–8 minutes until smooth.
    • Place in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise for 1 hour or until doubled in size.
    • (If using store-bought dough, rest it at room temperature for 30 minutes.)

    Prepare the Chicken:

    • Grill or sauté chicken breast until cooked through (internal temp: 165°F). Slice or shred into bite-sized pieces.

    Assembly:

      Shape the Dough:

      • Preheat oven to 250°C (475°F).
      • Roll or stretch the dough into a 12-inch circle on a floured surface. Place on a pizza peel or parchment paper.

      Build the Pizza:

      • Spread barbecue sauce over the dough.
      • Add mozzarella, chicken, and red onion evenly.
      • Brush crust edges with olive oil.

      Bake:

      • Transfer to the hot oven. Bake for 10–12 minutes or until crust is golden and cheese is bubbling.

      Finish:

      • Remove from the oven. Garnish with fresh cilantro and a sprinkle of crushed red pepper flakes if desired.

      Notes

      • Shortcut: Use leftover rotisserie chicken for convenience.
      • Variation: Add smoked gouda or cheddar for a richer flavor profile.
      • Tip: For an authentic wood-fired taste, bake on a preheated pizza stone.
      Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
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