Ingredients
- 1 pre-made pizza dough (12-14 inch, room temperature)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil, plus more for brushing
- 1 large red onion, thinly sliced
- 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded (rotisserie chicken works great!)
- 1/2 cup your favorite BBQ sauce, plus extra for drizzling
- 1.5 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded smoked gouda or cheddar cheese (optional)
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped (for garnish)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
- Caramelize the Onions: Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium-low heat. Add the sliced red onion and a pinch of salt. Cook slowly, stirring occasionally, for 15-20 minutes until deeply golden brown and very soft. Remove from heat and set aside.
- Preheat Oven & Prep Dough: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). If using a pizza stone, place it in the oven to preheat. Lightly flour a clean surface and roll out your pizza dough to your desired thickness (12-14 inch circle). Carefully transfer the dough to a parchment-lined baking sheet or a preheated pizza peel dusted with cornmeal.
- Assemble the Pizza: Spread the BBQ sauce evenly over the pizza dough, leaving a 1/2-inch border for the crust. Distribute the shredded chicken over the sauce, followed by the caramelized onions. Sprinkle both types of cheese evenly over the toppings.
- Bake to Perfection: Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is bubbly and slightly browned in spots. If desired, you can brush the crust with a little olive oil for extra crispness.
- Garnish and Serve: Carefully remove the pizza from the oven. Let it rest for 2-3 minutes before sprinkling generously with fresh chopped cilantro. Slice and serve immediately, perhaps with an extra drizzle of BBQ sauce.
Notes
Dough Shortcut: Don’t be afraid to use store-bought fresh pizza dough! It saves time and still delivers fantastic results. Let it come to room temperature for easier rolling. Chicken Prep: A pre-cooked rotisserie chicken is your best friend here. Just shred and go! If cooking chicken from scratch, poach or bake chicken breasts and then shred. Flavor Boost: Add a pinch of garlic powder to your BBQ sauce before spreading for an extra layer of flavor. A drizzle of ranch or a lime wedge can also add a delightful tang post-baking. Crispy Crust: For an extra crispy crust, preheat your pizza stone or an inverted baking sheet in the oven while it warms up. Slide the pizza onto the hot surface.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American Fusion
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 60mg
