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Crispy BBQ Chicken Pizza Recipe Easy Homemade with Cilantro and Red Onion

crispy bbq chicken pizza - featured image

A quick and easy crispy BBQ chicken pizza topped with fresh cilantro and sharp red onion, delivering a smoky, tangy, and fresh flavor combination with a satisfying crunch.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 ball (about 12 ounces / 340 grams) pizza dough, store-bought or homemade
  • 1 1/2 cups (about 200 grams) cooked chicken, shredded or chopped
  • 1/2 cup (120 ml) BBQ sauce, your favorite brand
  • 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
  • 1/4 cup fresh cilantro leaves, roughly chopped
  • 1 1/2 cups (170 grams) shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil, for brushing the crust
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • Optional: red pepper flakes or smoked paprika for extra heat and smoky flavor

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 475°F (245°C) with a pizza stone inside if available, heating for about 30 minutes.
  2. In a skillet over medium heat, add a drizzle of olive oil and toss in the shredded chicken. Season lightly with salt and pepper and cook for 4-5 minutes until edges get crispy, stirring occasionally.
  3. Transfer the crisped chicken to a bowl and stir in 1/2 cup BBQ sauce until evenly coated. Set aside.
  4. Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface into a 12-inch (30 cm) circle. Transfer to a pizza peel or baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
  5. Lightly brush the edges of the dough with 1 tablespoon olive oil.
  6. Spread a thin layer of BBQ sauce over the dough, leaving about a 1-inch border. Sprinkle shredded mozzarella evenly over the sauce.
  7. Scatter the BBQ chicken pieces on top, followed by thin slices of red onion.
  8. Bake the pizza on the hot stone or baking sheet for 12-15 minutes until the crust is golden and cheese is bubbling and slightly browned.
  9. Remove the pizza from the oven and immediately sprinkle fresh cilantro leaves on top. Let rest for 2 minutes before slicing.
  10. Cut into 8 slices and serve warm.

Notes

Soak red onion slices in cold water for 10 minutes before topping to mellow sharpness without losing crunch. Crisp chicken in skillet before adding to pizza to avoid soggy topping. Use a hot oven (475°F) and preheated pizza stone for best crust crispiness. Add fresh cilantro after baking to keep flavor bright. Avoid overloading sauce and cheese to prevent floppy crust.

Nutrition

Keywords: BBQ chicken pizza, crispy pizza, homemade pizza, cilantro pizza, red onion pizza, easy pizza recipe, quick dinner