Copycat California Pizza Kitchen BBQ Chicken Pizza Recipe
This copycat California Pizza Kitchen BBQ Chicken Pizza recipe pairs sweet and tangy BBQ sauce with chicken, gooey mozzarella, smoky Gouda, zippy red onion, and fresh cilantro. It’s a unique and absolutely delicious combination of flavors! And bonus, using store-bought dough from your pizzeria or grocery store means it’s quick and easy to whip up for pizza night at home.
Drizzle the oil inside a large bowl. Place the dough inside the bowl and turn it to coat in oil. Cover the bowl with a kitchen towel and let it sit at room temperature for 1 hour.
Preheat the oven to 450F.
Gently deflate the dough, but don’t push out all the air. Spread it out onto a 12-inch pizza stone or similar sized baking sheet, pressing it out with your fingers. Use the tines of a fork to prick several holes in the dough (this is called “docking” it).
Spread the BBQ sauce evenly on top, leaving a border of about ½-inch all around. Evenly sprinkle on the mozzarella and smoked Gouda cheeses, and then the onion and chicken.
Bake until the crust is golden and the cheese is melted, about 15 minutes.
Top with the fresh cilantro and serve hot.
Notes
Recipe Yield and Serving Size: This recipe makes 1 (12-inch) pizza. Cut it into 8 slices, and each slice is 1 serving.
To Freeze and Heat Uncooked Pizza: You can make the pizza up to the point of baking it and then freeze it for up to 2 months. When you want to cook it, thaw it to room temperature (I leave it overnight on the counter), and then bake it as directed.
To Freeze Cooked Pizza: Another option is to bake the pizza and then freeze the leftovers for up to 2 months. Let the pizza cool to room temperature, and then freeze the slices layered between pieces of parchment paper in an airtight container.
To Reheat Pizza in the Oven: Preheat the oven to 375F. Place the pizza slices (thawed if frozen) onto a foil-lined baking tray. Bake until the cheese is melted and the pizza is warm, about 10 minutes.
To Reheat Pizza on the Stovetop: Place the pizza slices in a cast iron skillet or stainless steel skillet over medium to medium-low heat. Cover, leaving the lid slightly ajar, and cook until the cheese is melted and the pizza is warm, about 5 minutes.