BBQ brisket shredded and served with fries Oven-Braised BBQ Brisket BBQ chicken thighs served Sticky BBQ Chicken Thighs (Oven Baked) BBQ ribs served with corn on the cob Oven-Baked BBQ Ribs with Buttered Corn Irish pear cider served fresh Irish Pear & Cider Cocktail Holiday apple cider served in a glass Mulled Holiday Apple Cider with Orange Spiced cherry cider served in a glass Spiced Cherry Apple Cider Glass of blueberry mint lemonade Blueberry Mint Lemonade with Homemade Syrup Blueberry iced tea in a glass Fresh Blueberry Iced Tea Blueberry liqueur in a bottle Homemade Blueberry Vodka Liqueur Green Apple Cider served fresh Iced Granny Smith Apple Cider Mocktail Green tea with lemon served fresh Classic Lemon Green Tea Vanilla latte served fresh Homemade Vanilla Bean Latte Fiery spiced cider in a glass Spicy Ginger-Chili Apple Cider Oak Aged Cider served in a glass Bourbon-Barrel Style Spiced Apple Cider Winter fruit tea served in a glass Spiced Winter Fruit Tea with Rosehips Tropical fruit tea served in a glass Tropical Green Tea Punch with Mango and Pineapple Salted Caramel Cider in a glass Salted Caramel Apple Cider Cantaloupe smoothie in a glass Creamy Cantaloupe & Yogurt Smoothie Plum Vanilla Cider served Vanilla-Plum Sparkling Apple Cider Mocktail Spiced Plum Tea served in a glass Spiced Plum Tea Infusion BBQ brisket shredded and served with fries Oven-Braised BBQ Brisket BBQ chicken thighs served Sticky BBQ Chicken Thighs (Oven Baked) BBQ ribs served with corn on the cob Oven-Baked BBQ Ribs with Buttered Corn Irish pear cider served fresh Irish Pear & Cider Cocktail Holiday apple cider served in a glass Mulled Holiday Apple Cider with Orange Spiced cherry cider served in a glass Spiced Cherry Apple Cider Glass of blueberry mint lemonade Blueberry Mint Lemonade with Homemade Syrup Blueberry iced tea in a glass Fresh Blueberry Iced Tea Blueberry liqueur in a bottle Homemade Blueberry Vodka Liqueur Green Apple Cider served fresh Iced Granny Smith Apple Cider Mocktail Green tea with lemon served fresh Classic Lemon Green Tea Vanilla latte served fresh Homemade Vanilla Bean Latte Fiery spiced cider in a glass Spicy Ginger-Chili Apple Cider Oak Aged Cider served in a glass Bourbon-Barrel Style Spiced Apple Cider Winter fruit tea served in a glass Spiced Winter Fruit Tea with Rosehips Tropical fruit tea served in a glass Tropical Green Tea Punch with Mango and Pineapple Salted Caramel Cider in a glass Salted Caramel Apple Cider Cantaloupe smoothie in a glass Creamy Cantaloupe & Yogurt Smoothie Plum Vanilla Cider served Vanilla-Plum Sparkling Apple Cider Mocktail Spiced Plum Tea served in a glass Spiced Plum Tea Infusion
Barbecue chicken pizza with grilled chicken and red onion
California barbecue chicken pizza with grilled chicken and cilantro

Classic California BBQ Chicken Pizza

Author: Flavelo
Recipes Main Courses Quick Meals
California, 1985. Legendary chef Ed LaDou had a bold idea and swapped tomato sauce for BBQ sauce. The result? A modern classic was born. The sweetness and smokiness of the sauce, the charred chicken and sharp red onion, plus fresh cilantro create a flavor bomb that changed the pizza world forever.
🕒 Prep Time 20 mins
🍳 Cook Time 15 mins
⌛ Total Time 35 mins
🍽️ Servings 4 servings
🔥 Calories 900 kcal
🌍 Cuisine American

Ingredients

Equipment Needed

  • Grill pan or skillet for chicken
  • Baking sheet
  • Pastry brush

Allergen Information

⚠️ Wheat
⚠️ Milk

Instructions

1 ✓

Dice chicken, season with salt/pepper, and fry in a pan with little oil until golden.

Tip: It's okay if slightly raw in middle, it bakes through in oven and won't dry out (moisture retention).
2 ✓

Toss cooked chicken in a little BBQ sauce.

Tip: This ensures every bite of meat is flavorful.
3 ✓

Preheat the oven to 425°F.

Tip: Hot oven essential.
4 ✓

Spread remaining BBQ sauce on dough, sprinkle half the cheese.

Tip: Cheese on bottom protects dough from getting soaked by juicy meat.
5 ✓

Distribute chicken and thinly sliced red onion, then remaining cheese.

Tip: Onion caramelizes sweetly in oven.
6 ✓

Bake for 12-15 minutes until cheese bubbles.

Tip: Due to BBQ sauce sugar content, edges might brown faster, watch it!
7 ✓

After baking sprinkle with fresh cilantro.

Tip: Cilantro gives the dish its fresh, California character.

Recipe FAQ

What BBQ sauce should I buy?
A thicker, honey-smoked version is best. Too thin sauce soaks the dough.
Can I use leftover roast chicken?
Yes! Just shred it and toss in a little sauce.

Ingredients

  • 1 ball Pizza Dough
  • 5 oz Barbecue Sauce
  • 7 oz Chicken Breast (raw)
  • 1 whole Red Onion
  • 7 oz Mozzarella Cheese (or Gouda/Cheddar mix)
  • 1 handful Fresh Cilantro