BBQ Chicken Bacon Pizza
BBQ Chicken Bacon Pizza is loaded with BBQ chicken, bacon, and cheese! Cilantro and red onion are added for extra flavor. Homemade pizza never tasted so good!
BBQ Chicken Bacon Pizza has always been a favorite in our home, and for good reason. It’s one of those recipes that instantly brings everyone to the kitchen, and every time I make it, I’m greeted with nothing but happy, hungry faces. From my husband to the kids, this homemade pizza has quickly become one of our most requested dinners. If you’ve never tried making pizza from scratch, this is the perfect place to start. The dough is simple, the ingredients are easy to find, and the results are incredibly rewarding. My kids love helping make the dough, rolling it out into their own personal-sized pizzas, and choosing their favorite toppings. It turns dinner into a fun, hands-on activity that everyone will enjoy.
BBQ CHICKEN BACON PIZZA
This barbecue chicken bacon pizza recipe tastes just like your favorite takeout, but better because it’s made fresh at home. It features a rich, smoky barbecue sauce layered over soft, chewy homemade pizza dough, then topped with tender shredded chicken, crispy bacon, and gooey mozzarella cheese. The flavor combination hits all the right notes: sweet, tangy, smoky, and savory. The thinly sliced red onions add just the right amount of crunch, while chopped cilantro brings a fresh finish that balances out the richness of the cheese and bacon. You can easily switch things up by adding toppings like jalapeños for heat, pineapple for sweetness, or extra cheese for even more indulgence. Don’t forget my Creamy Ranch Dressing if you’re a dipper like me!
Find my expert tips on how to make homemade BBQ chicken bacon pizza from scratch below! Don’t forget to tag me in all of your creations @lifeinthelofthouse on Instagram and Facebook. Let’s stay connected. ❤️
Why You’ll Love This BBQ Chicken Bacon Pizza Recipe:
- Beats Takeout Every Time: Fresh ingredients and homemade touches give you restaurant-quality flavor right from your own kitchen.
- Homemade Pizza Dough: This recipe uses a simple, from-scratch dough that bakes up soft on the inside with a perfectly crisp, golden crust.
- Smoky & Sweet: The combination of tangy barbecue sauce, savory chicken, and crispy bacon delivers a rich, mouthwatering flavor in every slice.
- Great For Every Occasion: Serve it for pizza night, game day, or a casual gathering; this BBQ chicken bacon pizza fits the moment perfectly.
- Make-Ahead-Friendly: Make this homemade pizza recipe ahead of time for a simple weeknight dinner or easy entertaining.
Ingredients
Pizza Dough
- 1/2 teaspoon instant yeast
- 3/4 cups warm water
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon Kosher salt
- 3 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
Pizza Toppings
- 1 ½ cups cooked shredded chicken
- 4 slices cooked bacon, chopped
- 1 cup + 3 Tablespoons barbecue sauce, divided
- 3 ½ cups shredded Mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion
- 3 Tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped
Instructions
For The Pizza Dough
Sprinkle yeast over the warm water. Stir, then set aside.
In a large bowl, combine flour and salt. Drizzle in olive oil. Stir until combined. Next, pour in the yeast/water mixture. Continue to mix until combined and a soft dough forms. You can do this by hand or with a stand mixer, with a paddle attachment, on low speed.
Coat a separate mixing bowl with a light drizzle of olive oil, and form the dough into a ball. Turn the dough to coat it in oil, then cover the bowl with plastic wrap. Let the dough sit, and double in size for about an hour.
For The Pizza Toppings
Preheat oven to 450 degrees F.
In a medium bowl, toss the cooked, shredded chicken in the 3 Tablespoons of barbecue sauce.
Take the pizza dough and press it into a large (16-inch) pizza pan or cookie sheet.
Spread the remaining 1 cup of the barbecue sauce over the pizza dough. Sprinkle 3 cups of the mozzarella cheese on top.
Sprinkle the chicken, bacon, and onion over the cheese. Top with the remaining 1/2 cup of mozzarella cheese.
Bake for 10 minutes. Remove pizza from oven, sprinkle evenly with cilantro. Return to oven and bake 2 more minutes or until crust is golden brown. Let stand 5 minutes or so before slicing and serving. Enjoy!
Servings
Yields: 1 large BBQ chicken bacon pizza.
Storage and Reheating
Allow the pizza to cool completely before storing, then place slices in an airtight container or wrap tightly and refrigerate for up to 3-4 days. For best results, separate slices with parchment paper to prevent sticking. To freeze, wrap individual slices and freeze in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months, labeling with the date for freshness. To reheat, place slices in the oven at 375°F (190°C) or in an air fryer until warmed through and crispy. Thaw frozen slices in the refrigerator overnight first.
To make ahead, assemble the pizza as directed, but do not bake; instead, cover it tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to 12 hours. When ready to bake, preheat the oven to 425°F and bake for about 14 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the pizza is heated through. For freezing, prepare the pizza up to the baking stage, then wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and store it in the freezer. When ready to cook, bake directly from frozen in a 400°F oven for 18–20 minutes, or until fully cooked and heated through.
Holly’s Tips for The Best BBQ Chicken Bacon Pizza Recipe:
- Temperature Matters: Warm water should be between 105-110°F to activate the yeast effectively without killing it.
- Allow Pizza Dough To Fully Rise: Let the dough double in size to ensure a light, airy texture with a chewy bite.
- Use High-Quality BBQ Sauce: A rich, smoky barbecue sauce enhances the overall flavor and ties all ingredients together. Tossing the chicken in barbecue sauce ahead of time infuses it with a deeper and richer flavor.
- Pre-Cook The Bacon: Use pre-cooked bacon, or cook the bacon beforehand prevents it from becoming soggy and keep its texture crispy after baking.
- Avoid Overloading Pizza: Too many toppings can lead to uneven cooking and a soggy crust.
- Bake Pizza on a Hot Surface: Use a preheated pizza pan or place the pizza on the lower rack for a crispier bottom crust.
- Allow Pizza To Cool Before Serving: Allowing the pizza to sit for a few minutes helps the cheese set and keeps slices intact.
Frequently Asked Questions:
You can prep the dough and toppings in advance, but it’s best to assemble and bake just before serving. This keeps the crust crisp and the cheese perfectly melted.
Of course. Store-bought dough works great if you’re short on time. Just let it come to room temperature before stretching for easier handling and better texture.
Absolutely! Rotisserie chicken is a great shortcut, or you can use grilled chicken for extra smoky flavor.
Red onions, jalapeños, pineapple, or even a drizzle of ranch dressing can enhance flavor and add variety.
To make BBQ Chicken Bacon Pizza gluten-free, use your favorite gluten-free pizza dough. Make sure all other ingredients, especially the barbecue sauce, are certified gluten-free.
Similar Recipes
Craving something similar? Try my Hawaiian BBQ Chicken Pizza.
Wanting something different? Make my delicious Chicken Alfredo Pizza.
Looking for more pizza recipes? Make these highly-rated recipes next: Margherita Pizza, BBQ Chicken Flatbread Pizza, and BBQ Chicken French Bread Pizza.
Have you made this BBQ Chicken Bacon Pizza recipe? ❤️
Leave a review, and don’t forget to tag me in your creations on Instagram and Facebook! @lifeinthelofthouse! #BBQChickenBaconPizza #LifeInTheLofthouse
BBQ Chicken and Bacon Pizza
Ingredients
Pizza Dough:
- 1/2 teaspoon instant yeast
- 3/4 cups warm water
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon Kosher salt
- 3 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
Toppings:
- 1 ½ cups cooked shredded chicken
- 4 slices cooked bacon chopped
- 1 cup + 3 Tablespoons barbecue sauce divided
- 3 ½ cups shredded Mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion
- 3 Tablespoons fresh cilantro chopped
Instructions
PIZZA CRUST:
- Sprinkle yeast over the warm water. Stir then set aside.
- In a large bowl combine flour and salt. Drizzle in olive oil. Stir until combined. Next, pour in yeast/water mixture. Continue to mix until combined and a soft dough forms. (You can do this by hand or with a stand mixer, with paddle attachment, on low speed.)
- Coat a separate mixing bowl with a light drizzle of olive oil, and form dough into a ball. Turn to coat dough in oil, then cover the bowl with plastic wrap. Let dough sit, and double in size for at about an hour.
TOPPINGS FOR PIZZA:
- Preheat oven to 450 degrees F. In a medium bowl, toss the cooked, shredded chicken in the 3 Tablespoons of barbecue sauce.
- Take the pizza dough and press into a large (16 inch) pizza pan or cookie sheet.
- Spread the remaining 1 cup of the barbecue sauce over the pizza dough. Sprinkle 3 cups of the mozzarella cheese on top.Sprinkle the chicken, bacon and onion over the cheese. Top with remaining 1/2 cup of mozzarella cheese.
- Bake for 10 minutes. Remove pizza from oven, sprinkle evenly with cilantro. Return to oven and bake 2 more minutes or until crust is golden brown. Let stand 5 minutes or so before slicing and serving.
Notes
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mmm Love it Holly it looks so good!
So nice to meet you! I love Pizza Factory and I love St. George. We are up in Orem. I am your newest follower!
Your pizza looks fabulous. We will have to try it. I like the garlic chicken one at Pizza Factory and of course their breadsticks. If you develop a recipe for their breadsticks, let me know.
Jacqueline, Glad u like my blog 🙂 I actually have found a copycat recipe for PF’s AMAZING breadsticks.. I’ll try and post it soon and let u know when I do!
oh wow this pizza looks awesome! I like pretty much any kind of pizza. I love to make personal size ones too 🙂
All I can say is–yum! This looks so savory and delicious and kid-friendly. I love the sprinkling og green on top–it makes it look so fresh and appealing.
Looks so delicious! I really like BBQ chicken pizza. I’ll have to try this over the weekend.
Oh, oh, ohhh…I think I MUST try this! I have been using my breadstick dough as a pizza crust, which is fabulous, but the honey and the no rise (really?!) has me intigued for sure!
Yummy! Wish I could try your food . . . it all looks amazing! xo
Made this for dinner tonight 🙂 scored huge with the hubs!
Had to stop by and give you my regard; your site is amazing, I’ll be trying more of the recipes. Keep up the good work!!
I have to admit I’d love to have the time to make crust, but I cut corners and bought premade crust (Thank you Pillsbury dough boy!). I also got the chicken from a rotisserie chicken (Thank you Kroger!).
Anyway, we usually buy this type of pizza from Jet’s Pizza…which costs us like $32 (because of course you have to have cheesy bread and salad to go with it).
I really loved this pizza…next time I will have to put some garlic on my crust (too dry) but I can live with it. Plus it was fun to make it with my son.
Chris, glad you liked the pizza! This one is my favorite! Don’t blame you for using Pillsbury! I use it a lot too when I don’t have time. But nothing compares to the homemade, and you won’t have a problem with the crust being dry. When you have time you need to try it 🙂