There’s something irresistible about the sweet-smoky flavor of barbecue sauce melting into gooey cheese over a crispy crust. This BBQ Chicken Pizza brings bold flavor with almost no effort — juicy chicken, tangy pepperoncini peppers, fresh cilantro, and melted Colby-Jack cheese baked together into bubbly perfection.
The best part? You don’t need to make dough from scratch. Using a store-bought crust makes this a fast, reliable dinner that tastes like restaurant pizza but comes straight from your own oven. Perfect for busy evenings, game nights, or whenever you want comfort food fast.
Why You’ll Love This Pizza
- Quick 35-minute meal
- Big bold BBQ flavor
- Family-friendly but still exciting
- Easy ingredients you can find anywhere
- Customizable toppings
Ingredients Explained
Pizza Base
Pre-baked pizza crust
Acts as the shortcut hero. It crisps up nicely and saves time.
Sauce
Spicy barbecue sauce
Provides smoky sweetness and replaces traditional tomato sauce.
Protein
Cooked chicken breast (cubed)
Tender and juicy — leftover chicken works perfectly here.
Flavor Toppings
Pepperoncini peppers – tangy heat and brightness
Red onion – sweetness and crunch
Fresh cilantro – freshness that balances the rich cheese
Cheese
Colby-Jack cheese (shredded)
Melts beautifully and gives creamy stretch without overpowering the BBQ flavor.
Step-by-Step Method
1. Preheat the Oven
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Prepare the Crust
Place the pre-baked pizza crust on a baking sheet.
3. Add the Sauce
Spread barbecue sauce evenly across the crust, leaving a small border around the edges.
4. Add the Toppings
Layer in this order:
- Cubed cooked chicken
- Pepperoncini peppers
- Chopped red onion
- Fresh cilantro
5. Add Cheese
Cover everything generously with shredded Colby-Jack cheese.
6. Bake
Bake for about 15 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
7. Rest & Slice
Let the pizza rest for 2–3 minutes before slicing — this keeps the toppings from sliding off.
Tips & Variations
Make it mild: Use regular BBQ sauce instead of spicy
Extra smoky: Add smoked paprika to the chicken
Spicy lovers: Add jalapeños or chili flakes
Low carb: Use cauliflower pizza crust
More protein: Add cooked bacon bits
Cheese swap: Mozzarella or cheddar works great too
Storage & Reheating
Refrigerate: Store slices in an airtight container up to 3 days
Reheat best method (crispy):
- Pan: Heat on medium-low with lid for 5 minutes
- Oven: 350°F for 8 minutes
Avoid microwave — it softens the crust
BBQ Chicken Pizza
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Place pizza crust on a baking sheet.
- Spread barbecue sauce evenly over the crust.
- Add cubed chicken, pepperoncini peppers, red onion, and cilantro.
- Sprinkle shredded Colby-Jack cheese over the top.
- Bake for 15 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Rest for 2–3 minutes, slice, and serve.
Notes
- Use rotisserie chicken for faster prep
- Add jalapeños for extra heat
- Reheat in pan or oven for crispy crust
- Mozzarella can replace Colby-Jack cheese
FAQs
Can I use rotisserie chicken?
Yes — it’s actually perfect for this recipe.
Can I freeze this pizza?
Yes, freeze slices wrapped individually up to 2 months.
What other toppings work well?
Corn, mushrooms, bell peppers, or pineapple pair great with BBQ sauce.
Do I need to cook toppings first?
No — everything is already cooked or cooks quickly while baking.
