Bbq Chicken Pizza: Is It Still Pizza?

BBQ chicken pizza is a unique twist on the traditional pizza. It's a fun and easy recipe to make at home, and you can even use store-bought ingredients if you're short on time. The key ingredients are BBQ sauce, chicken, and cheese, with additional toppings like red onions, cilantro, and gouda to add a tangy and smoky flavour. The pizza is baked until the cheese is melted and bubbly, resulting in a delicious and hearty meal.

BBQ sauce as the base

BBQ sauce is a popular choice for the base of a chicken pizza. It is a versatile ingredient that can be used as a base for a variety of pizzas, such as BBQ chicken pizza. The sauce provides a tangy and sweet flavour that pairs well with chicken and other toppings. You can use any type of BBQ sauce you like, from sweet to spicy, and even make your own.

When making a BBQ chicken pizza, it is recommended to use pre-cooked chicken. This is because raw chicken may not cook through properly during the baking process. You can use a rotisserie chicken, or any other type of cooked, shredded chicken. If you're short on time, you can also use pre-cooked, shredded chicken and mix it with BBQ sauce before spreading it on the pizza.

In addition to chicken, other common toppings for a BBQ chicken pizza include cheese, red onions, and cilantro. For the cheese, a combination of mozzarella and smoked gouda is popular, as the smoked gouda adds a deep, smoky flavour that pairs well with the sweet BBQ sauce. However, you can also use other types of cheese, such as Colby-Jack or pepper jack.

The amount of BBQ sauce used as a base for the pizza can vary depending on your preference. Some recipes call for a thin layer of sauce, while others use a more generous amount. You can also serve extra sauce on the side for dipping.

When assembling the pizza, it is recommended to spread the BBQ sauce on the crust first, followed by the cheese, chicken, and other toppings. This ensures that the sauce is evenly distributed and creates a flavourful base for the other ingredients.

The baking process for a BBQ chicken pizza is similar to that of a traditional pizza. Most recipes call for baking the pizza at a temperature between 350-500 degrees Fahrenheit for about 10-15 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Mozzarella and smoked gouda cheese

Mozzarella is a classic pizza cheese, known for its stretchy, stringy consistency when melted. It has a mild flavour that won't overpower the other ingredients, but still adds a creamy texture and a salty tang.

Smoked gouda, on the other hand, has a much stronger, deeper flavour. It adds a smoky taste that pairs wonderfully with the sweet BBQ sauce and fresh cilantro. Smoked gouda doesn't melt in the same stringy way as mozzarella, but it has a wonderful, inimitable flavour.

When combined, these two cheeses create a blend of creamy, salty, and smoky flavours that enhance the overall taste of the pizza. The mozzarella provides the desired stretchiness, while the smoked gouda adds a unique, powerful kick.

To prepare the pizza, you can follow these steps:

• Prepare the pizza dough and pre-bake it for about 6 minutes.
• Spread a thin layer of BBQ sauce over the pre-baked pizza crust.
• Top with a layer of mozzarella cheese and sliced red onion.
• In a separate bowl, mix shredded chicken with a few tablespoons of BBQ sauce.
• Spread the chicken pieces over the pizza.
• Sprinkle another layer of mozzarella and add chopped cilantro.
• Bake the pizza at 450 degrees Fahrenheit for 10-15 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is bubbly.

Pre-cooked chicken

There are a few options for preparing the pre-cooked chicken for BBQ chicken pizza:

• Shredded Rotisserie Chicken: This is a convenient option as it saves time and effort. You can buy a rotisserie chicken and shred the meat yourself, or you can buy pre-shredded rotisserie chicken.
• Cooked and Cubed Chicken: You can cook and cube the chicken yourself. This option allows you to control the size and shape of the chicken pieces.
• Pre-cooked Chicken Breasts: You can buy pre-cooked chicken breasts and shred or cube them yourself.

Regardless of the option chosen, it's important to toss the cooked chicken in BBQ sauce before adding it to the pizza. This helps to prevent the chicken from drying out and adds extra flavour to the pizza.

The amount of chicken needed for BBQ chicken pizza may vary depending on the recipe and the desired amount of toppings. A good guideline is to use about 1 cup of chopped or shredded cooked chicken for one pizza.

Using pre-cooked chicken is a convenient and safe option for making BBQ chicken pizza. It ensures the chicken is fully cooked and saves time in the pizza preparation process. By tossing the chicken in BBQ sauce and adding other toppings like cheese, red onion, and cilantro, you can create a delicious and flavourful pizza.

Red onions

To make caramelised red onions, heat some olive oil in a medium non-stick skillet over a medium heat. When the oil is glistening, add the sliced onions and cook, stirring occasionally, for around 45 minutes. If the onions begin to brown too quickly, reduce the heat to medium-low.

Once the onions are caramelised, you can add them to your pizza. Most recipes recommend spreading BBQ sauce on your pizza dough first, followed by chicken mixed with BBQ sauce, cheese, and then the onions. However, some recipes suggest adding the onions before the final layer of cheese to ensure they are well-distributed throughout the pizza.

Whether you use fresh or caramelised red onions, this ingredient is an important part of a BBQ chicken pizza, adding a sharp, bold flavour that balances the sweetness and smokiness of the other ingredients.

Fresh cilantro

When making a BBQ chicken pizza, it is recommended to use pre-cooked chicken, as the pizza does not cook long enough to cook raw chicken. The pizza dough can be made from scratch or store-bought, and the BBQ sauce can be customised with spices and herbs like garlic, basil, and oregano.

• Prepare the pizza dough and pre-bake it for about 6 minutes.
• Spread a thin layer of BBQ sauce on the pre-baked pizza crust.
• Add a layer of mozzarella cheese and sliced red onion.
• Toss shredded rotisserie chicken with BBQ sauce and spread it over the pizza.
• Sprinkle another layer of cheese and add chopped fresh cilantro.
• Bake the pizza at a high temperature (around 450 F) for 10-15 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is bubbly.
• Remove the pizza from the oven and sprinkle with additional fresh cilantro, if desired.

Frequently asked questions