Grilled BBQ Chicken Pizza (Printable)
Smoky grilled chicken, tangy BBQ sauce, and melted cheese on a crisp grilled crust.
# What You'll Need:
→ Grilled Chicken
01 - 1 medium boneless, skinless chicken breast (approximately 6 oz)
02 - 1 tbsp olive oil
03 - 1/2 tsp salt
04 - 1/4 tsp black pepper
05 - 1/4 tsp smoked paprika
→ Pizza Components
06 - 1 prepared pizza dough (12 inches, store-bought or homemade)
07 - 1/2 cup BBQ sauce plus extra for drizzling
08 - 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
09 - 1/2 cup shredded smoked gouda cheese
10 - 1/3 red onion, thinly sliced
11 - 1/4 cup fresh cilantro leaves, chopped
12 - Olive oil for brushing
# Step-by-step:
01 - Preheat grill to medium-high heat, approximately 400°F.
02 - Brush chicken breast with olive oil and season evenly with salt, pepper, and smoked paprika. Grill for 6–7 minutes per side until internal temperature reaches 165°F. Let rest for 5 minutes, then slice into thin strips.
03 - On a floured surface, roll pizza dough into a 12-inch round. Brush one side lightly with olive oil.
04 - Place dough oiled-side down directly onto grill grates. Grill for 2–3 minutes until grill marks appear and dough is set. Brush top with olive oil, flip carefully, and grill 1–2 minutes longer. Remove from grill.
05 - Keep grilled side facing up. Spread BBQ sauce evenly over crust, leaving a 1/2-inch border. Layer mozzarella, smoked gouda, sliced chicken, and red onion.
06 - Return pizza to grill and close lid. Cook for 5–7 minutes until cheese is fully melted and bubbly.
07 - Transfer pizza to cutting board. Drizzle with additional BBQ sauce and sprinkle with chopped cilantro. Slice into wedges and serve immediately.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The grill gives the crust this incredible char that you just cannot get from a regular oven, making each bite feel like restaurant quality without the delivery wait
- Its the perfect excuse to gather friends around the backyard, because watching cheese bubble through grill grates is surprisingly entertaining
02 -
- I once tried skipping the oil on the dough and spent twenty minutes scraping stuck pizza off my grill with a spatula, so do not be like younger me
- Keep the dough moving when you first put it on the grill, or it will stick instantly and tear when you try to flip it
03 -
- Cooking the chicken ahead of time and keeping it warm is easier than trying to time everything perfectly
- A little cornmeal on your peel or cutting board helps the pizza slide off without sticking