Best Bbq Chicken Pizza: Charcoal Or Gas Grill?

BBQ chicken pizza is a classic dish that combines sweet, tangy, and savoury flavours. The base is typically a store-bought or homemade pizza dough, topped with BBQ sauce in place of the traditional tomato sauce. The chicken is usually pre-cooked and mixed with BBQ sauce, and other toppings include cheese, red onions, and cilantro. Some recipes call for additional ingredients such as pepperoncini peppers, jalapenos, or even pineapple. The pizza is then baked until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Pizza dough: homemade or store-bought

When it comes to pizza dough, there are two options: making it yourself or buying it from a store. Both have their advantages and disadvantages, and the best choice depends on your personal preferences and circumstances.

Making pizza dough from scratch can be a rewarding experience, as it allows you to customise the flavour and texture to your liking. It also ensures that you know exactly what ingredients are going into your dough, which can be important if you have dietary restrictions or preferences. However, making pizza dough at home can be time-consuming and requires some level of skill and practice to get right. It typically involves mixing together flour, water, yeast, salt, sugar, and oil, and then kneading and shaping the dough before letting it rise.

On the other hand, store-bought pizza dough offers convenience and saves time, especially if you are short on time or don't enjoy baking. It is widely available at supermarkets, local pizzerias, and specialty food stores. When buying store-bought pizza dough, look for one with minimal ingredients, such as flour, yeast, salt, water, sugar, and oil. Avoid doughs with long ingredient lists, as they may contain unnecessary additives or preservatives. Additionally, some store-bought doughs come pre-rolled, making it even easier to assemble your pizza.

Whether you choose to make your own pizza dough or purchase it from a store, there are a few tips to keep in mind. Firstly, let the dough come to room temperature before working with it, as cold dough can be difficult to handle. Secondly, dust your work surface and hands with flour to prevent the dough from sticking. Finally, if you're short on time, consider making a larger batch of dough and freezing portioned batches to use at a later date.

BBQ sauce: sweet, tangy, sticky, spicy, pineapple, or hickory-smoked

BBQ sauce is an essential component of BBQ chicken pizza, and there are many types to choose from. Here are some popular options:

Sweet BBQ Sauce

Sweet BBQ sauce is a classic choice for BBQ chicken pizza, offering a delightful blend of flavours. It is typically made with ingredients such as tomato sauce, honey or brown sugar, and molasses, resulting in a rich, tangy, and slightly smoky taste. This type of sauce pairs well with the chicken and other toppings, adding a touch of sweetness to the overall flavour profile.

Tangy BBQ Sauce

Tangy BBQ sauce is another popular option, characterised by its sharp and pungent taste. It often contains ingredients like tomato sauce, apple cider vinegar, and spices, creating a zesty and vibrant flavour. This type of sauce can enhance the overall taste of the pizza, adding a tangy kick to each bite.

Sticky BBQ Sauce

Sticky BBQ sauce is all about that thick, clingy texture that coats the chicken and other toppings generously. It usually has a higher sugar content, resulting in a gloriously sticky and finger-licking good experience. This type of sauce can make your BBQ chicken pizza even more indulgent and satisfying.

Spicy BBQ Sauce

If you like your pizza with a kick, spicy BBQ sauce is the way to go. It incorporates ingredients like cayenne pepper, red pepper, or other spicy elements to create a fiery sensation. Spicy BBQ sauce can elevate the flavour profile of your pizza, adding a delightful heat that complements the other ingredients.

Pineapple BBQ Sauce

For a tropical twist, pineapple BBQ sauce is an excellent choice. It combines the sweetness of pineapple with the tanginess of BBQ sauce, resulting in a unique and refreshing flavour. This type of sauce can add a burst of fruity goodness to your BBQ chicken pizza, creating an unexpected but delightful combination.

Hickory-Smoked BBQ Sauce

Hickory-smoked BBQ sauce brings a distinct smoky flavour to your pizza. It is often made with liquid hickory smoke, adding a deep, savoury note to the sauce. This type of sauce can give your BBQ chicken pizza an intense, smoky aroma and taste, reminiscent of a classic barbecue experience.

Chicken: rotisserie, pre-cooked, or raw

When it comes to the chicken component of your BBQ chicken pizza, there are a few options to choose from: rotisserie, pre-cooked, or raw. Each has its own advantages and considerations, so let's explore them in more detail.

Using rotisserie chicken is a convenient and tasty option. Rotisserie chicken is already cooked, so you don't have to worry about preparing the chicken separately. It's also moist and flavourful, having been slowly cooked on a rotisserie. Simply shred the chicken, mix it with some BBQ sauce, and you're ready to top your pizza.

Pre-cooked chicken is another viable choice. You can cook the chicken yourself, ensuring it's done to your liking, or purchase pre-cooked chicken from a store. This option gives you more control over the seasoning and cooking method. Similar to rotisserie chicken, you'll want to shred the pre-cooked chicken and mix it with BBQ sauce before adding it to your pizza.

Using raw chicken is not recommended. Raw chicken requires sufficient cooking time, which a pizza in the oven typically cannot provide. To ensure food safety and avoid undercooked chicken, it's best to cook the chicken beforehand.

In summary, for your BBQ chicken pizza, the ideal choices are either rotisserie or pre-cooked chicken. Both options provide convenience, flavour, and the necessary food safety precautions. Simply shred the chicken, combine it with BBQ sauce, and you'll be well on your way to creating a delicious pizza.

Cheese: mozzarella, smoked gouda, pepper jack, or Monterey jack

When it comes to cheese, there are several options that pair well with BBQ chicken pizza. Here are some popular choices:

Mozzarella

Mozzarella is a classic pizza cheese that can be used alone or in combination with other cheeses. It has a creamy richness that complements the smoky BBQ sauce. Fresh mozzarella can also be smoked, adding a deeper, richer flavour to the pizza.

Smoked Gouda

Smoked gouda is a popular choice for BBQ chicken pizza as it lends a deep, smoky flavour that pairs wonderfully with the sweet BBQ sauce. It is often mixed with mozzarella to create a balance of classic pizza flavour and smoky depth.

Monterey Jack

Monterey Jack is a recommended substitute for mozzarella, adding a slightly different flavour profile to the pizza. It can be used alone or in combination with other cheeses like cheddar.

Pepper Jack

Pepper Jack is another variety of Monterey Jack cheese with spicy peppers added. It can be a great choice for those who like a little extra kick to their pizza.

When choosing the cheese for your BBQ chicken pizza, consider the overall flavour profile you want to achieve. Using a combination of cheeses can create a more complex and interesting flavour, while using a single type of cheese can let that variety shine. Feel free to experiment with different combinations to find your favourite!

Toppings: red onion, jalapeno, pineapple, feta, or basil

Red onions are a popular topping for BBQ chicken pizza, adding a sharp, zesty flavour to each bite. They can be sliced thinly or chopped, and some recipes recommend running them under water to remove their harsh bite.

Jalapenos are another popular topping, adding a spicy kick to the pizza. They can be used sliced or pickled, and fresh or stir-fried.

Pineapple is a less common, but still tasty, topping for BBQ chicken pizza. It adds a sweet, tropical flavour, and works particularly well with salty toppings like bacon. If using canned pineapple, it's best to drain off the excess liquid and pat the pineapple dry before adding it to the pizza.

Feta is a tangy, creamy cheese that pairs well with BBQ sauce. It can be crumbled over the pizza, or used in place of mozzarella or gouda.

Basil is a herb that can be used in place of cilantro on BBQ chicken pizza. It adds a touch of freshness to the dish.

Frequently asked questions