The Ultimate BBQ Chicken Pan Pizza (A Weekend Project!)

Are you ready to completely revolutionize your pizza night? It’s time to move beyond delivery and create a truly spectacular, restaurant-quality BBQ Chicken Pizza at home. This isn’t just any pizza; it’s a masterpiece baked in a cast-iron skillet for the ultimate crispy, chewy crust, and loaded with saucy chicken, gooey cheese, and a spicy honey finish.

This is your ultimate guide to a fun and rewarding weekend cooking project. We will walk you through every delicious component, from an easy from-scratch pizza dough and a rich, smoky homemade BBQ sauce to a spectacular side of Garlic Bread Fries. This is more than a recipe—it’s a complete, unforgettable meal experience.

What makes this recipe so special is the incredible depth of flavor built from scratch and the amazing crust achieved with the pan pizza method. This is the BBQ Chicken Pizza that will make you a legend among your friends and family. Let’s get cooking!

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

The Secret to the Perfect Crust: The Cast-Iron Pan Pizza Method

The number one secret to achieving a pizza crust that is unbelievably crispy on the bottom yet deliciously chewy on top is the cast-iron pan pizza method. This technique turns your home oven into a pizzeria-style deck oven.

By preheating a heavy cast-iron skillet on the stovetop until it’s screaming hot, you create an intense base of heat. When you press your pizza dough into this hot skillet, the bottom of the crust begins to sear and “fry” immediately. Then, when you transfer the whole pan to a very hot oven, the rest of the pizza bakes perfectly. This method guarantees a golden, crispy, no-soggy-bottoms-allowed crust for your BBQ Chicken Pizza.

The Anatomy of the Ultimate BBQ Chicken Pizza

Every layer of this BBQ Chicken Pizza is designed for maximum flavor.

• The From-Scratch BBQ Sauce: We build a quick, homemade sauce that is the perfect balance of sweet (ketchup, brown sugar, molasses), tangy (cider vinegar), and savory/smoky (Worcestershire, paprika, mustard). It’s incredibly rich and far superior to most bottled sauces.
• The Chicken: Using a store-bought rotisserie chicken is a fantastic shortcut that saves a ton of time while still providing juicy, tender meat that soaks up the delicious sauce.
• The Cheese Blend: A combination of melty, gooey mozzarella and sharp, flavorful cheddar cheese provides the perfect “cheese pull” and a classic BBQ flavor profile.
• The Spicy Honey Glaze: This is the final, brilliant touch. A simple glaze of honey and hot sauce is drizzled or brushed over the finished pizza. The sweetness and gentle heat cut through the richness of the cheese and BBQ sauce, perfectly balancing every single bite.

The Key Ingredients for Your Pizza Night

This recipe for BBQ Chicken Pizza uses a combination of from-scratch components and smart shortcuts.

• For the BBQ Chicken:
  • Rotisserie Chicken: The ultimate time-saver. You can also use any leftover cooked chicken.
  • The Sauce Staples: Ketchup, light brown sugar, molasses, cider vinegar, and Worcestershire sauce create the classic BBQ base.
  • The Spices: Smoked sweet paprika and ground mustard add depth and smokiness.
• For the Pizza Assembly:
  • Pizza Dough: The recipe includes a simple from-scratch “EZ Pizza Dough.” A 1-pound ball of store-bought dough from a grocery store or local pizzeria also works great.
  • Cheese: A blend of shredded low-moisture mozzarella and yellow cheddar.
  • The Spicy Honey Glaze: Just honey, hot sauce (like Frank’s RedHot), and a splash of water.
• For the Garlic Bread Fries:
  • Frozen Steak Fries: A bag of thick-cut steak fries is the perfect, easy base.
  • Garlic Butter: A simple mix of melted butter, grated Parmesan, granulated garlic, and dried herbs transforms the fries into an addictive side dish.

Step-by-Step Guide to Your BBQ Chicken Pan Pizza

This is a fun project with a few moving parts. Read through the steps, get your ingredients ready, and enjoy the process!

Part 1: Prepare the Components (Dough and Toppings)

1. Make the EZ Pizza Dough (if using): In a stand mixer with a dough hook, let the yeast bloom in warm water for 5 minutes. Add the olive oil, honey, and salt. With the mixer on, gradually add the flour to form a dough. Transfer to an oiled bowl, cover, and let it rise for 1 hour.
2. Prepare the Chicken: While the dough rises, prepare the chicken. Remove the skin and bones from the rotisserie chicken and shred or pull the meat into bite-size pieces.
3. Make the BBQ Sauce: In a skillet over medium-high heat, soften the diced onions and garlic in a little olive oil. Add the chicken stock and let it absorb. Stir in the ketchup, brown sugar, molasses, vinegar, Worcestershire, paprika, and mustard.
4. Sauce the Chicken: Add the pulled chicken to the sauce, stir to coat everything completely, and then remove the pan from the heat. Your topping for the BBQ Chicken Pizza is ready.

Part 2: Assemble and Bake the Pizza

1. Preheat Everything: Preheat your oven to its highest setting (525°F to 550°F) with a rack in the center. Place a 12-inch cast-iron skillet on your stovetop over medium to medium-high heat to preheat it simultaneously.
2. Shape the Dough: On a lightly floured surface, roll and stretch your pizza dough into a 12- to 14-inch round.
3. The Pan Pizza Technique: Turn off the heat under the skillet. Carefully sprinkle a little cornmeal into the hot skillet. Use caution as the pan is very hot! Press the dough into the hot skillet and up the sides. Brush the dough with olive oil and season with salt and red pepper flakes.
4. Top the Pizza: Spread the saucy BBQ chicken mixture evenly over the dough. Top with the shredded mozzarella and cheddar cheeses.
5. Bake: Immediately place the skillet in the preheated oven. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, until the crust is a deep golden brown and the cheese is bubbly and melted.

Part 3: The Final Touches and the Garlic Bread Fries

1. Make the Spicy Honey Glaze: While the pizza bakes, combine the honey, a splash of water, and the hot sauce in a small pot. Heat over low heat until warm and fluid.
2. Make the Garlic Bread Fries: While the pizza bakes, bake the frozen steak fries on a separate baking sheet according to package directions, until very crispy. In a large bowl, toss the hot fries with the melted butter, grated Parmesan, granulated garlic, dried parsley, oregano, and pepperoncini flakes.
3. Finish and Serve: Carefully remove the pizza from the oven. Drizzle or brush the entire pizza with the warm honey mixture. Top your beautiful BBQ Chicken Pizza with fresh cilantro, sliced scallions, and fresh jalapeños. Serve immediately with the hot Garlic Bread Fries on the side.

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Conclusion: A Pizza Night to Remember

This homemade BBQ Chicken Pizza is a true labor of love that is worth every single second. From the crispy, chewy pan-fried crust to the rich, smoky sauce and the spicy-sweet honey glaze, every component comes together to create a truly spectacular meal. This is more than just a pizza; it’s an event. We hope this becomes your new tradition for a fun and delicious pizza night at home.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)