An easy, savory, irresistible blend of smoky tangy BBQ sauce, crispy applewood bacon, tender grilled chicken, red onions and melted cheese on a perfectly baked pizza that’s bursting with bold, mouthwatering flavors.

What’s The Allure of BBQ Chicken Bacon Pizza?

When I began my journey into homemade pizza, my grown-up kids wanted to know if I could replicate their favorite BBQ Chicken Pizza from the local wood fire pizzeria. I’m always up for a challenge, especially when it comes to cooking, so I went to work in the kitchen and created this easy, simple BBQ Chicken Pizza Recipe.

I can understand why this pizza is a favorite of theirs. It’s the kind of pizza that makes you wonder why you ever settled for plain pepperoni in the first place. Smoky, tangy BBQ sauce takes the place of traditional pizza sauce, then we add simple grilled tender chicken, crispy bacon, melty cheese, sliced red onions, and just enough extra goodness to make every bite a little bit addictive. It’s sweet, savory, smoky, cheesy, and completely over-the-top…in the very best way!

The kids gave this pizza two enthusiastic thumbs up, and polished off the entire pizza. It is now requested on every family pizza night! Trust me, once you try this BBQ Chicken Bacon Pizza, your pizza night may never be the same again!

Ingredients Needed For The Recipe

• Dough for one 12-inch pizza crust
• 1/3 cup your favorite barbecue sauce
• 1 cup chopped or shredded grilled chicken (about one 8-ounce breast)
• 4 slices cooked and crumbled thick cut applewood bacon
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup of shredded cheddar cheese
• 1/2 cup small red onion, thinly sliced or chopped
• 1 Tablespoon Olive Oil (optional if baking pizza on a pizza pan)
• 1 Tablespoon cornmeal (optional, if baking pizza on a baking sheet or pizza pan)

Step-By-Step Instructions

Follow my simple step-by-step instructions with helpful tips to recreate this family favorite. Grab your apron and let’s start cooking friends!

Step 1 — Preparing the Pizza Dough, or Choosing a Store-Bought Base

This homemade BBQ Chicken Pizza can be made on my simple homemade pizza crust. The recipe makes enough dough for four 12-inch pizzas. I’m sharing the toppings for one BBQ Chicken pizza in this recipe. You can certainly double the toppings and make two, or simply freeze the remaining dough for another family pizza night.

If you want to keep it simple, feel free to use 1 lb. store-bought pizza dough instead of homemade. Both work well with this recipe.

On a lightly floured work surface using lightly floured hands or a rolling pin, gently flatten the dough into a 12-inch disc. Place on a prepared pan (see special baking instructions in the recipe card below), or a bakers’ peel. Cover the dough lightly with a clean kitchen towel and allow to rest for a few minutes while you gather the pizza toppings.

TIP: If the dough keeps shrinking back as you are working with it, cover it lightly and let it rest for 5–10 minutes, then try again.

Step 2 — Selecting The Right BBQ Sauce

The BBQ sauce you choose can make or break this pizza, so choose one you absolutely love! I prefer a sauce that’s smoky and slightly sweet, with enough tang to balance the richness of the bacon and cheese. I use Sweet Baby Ray’s Traditional BBQ Sauce.

Spread 1/3 cup of BBQ sauce evenly on top of the dough using a pastry brush.

If you like a little kick, go ahead and reach for a spicy BBQ sauce…this is your pizza, after all! Just remember, a thick, flavorful sauce works best because it gives you plenty of BBQ goodness without making your pizza crust soggy. A good BBQ sauce should complement the chicken and bacon, not drown them out.

Step 3 — Adding the Cheese

Sprinkle the top of the pizza with 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese. If you want to add a little extra flavor, you can switch things up by using half mozzarella and half pepper jack, or half Gouda for a little extra smokey flavor.

Step 4 — The Chicken

When it comes to the chicken, I prefer a simple grilled boneless chicken breast, cut up, with light seasoning so it doesn’t overpower the pizza. For ease and simplicity, you can use store-bought grilled chicken. However, if you want to grill the chicken yourself, simply follow the instructions below.

Drizzle one boneless skinless chicken breast with olive oil, season with all-purpose seasoning, or your favorite seasoning, grill on a BBQ over medium-high heat until the juices run clear, or the internal temperature reaches 165°(F). Cool and dice the grilled chicken into bite-sized pieces.

TIP: I recommend grilling a few extra pieces of chicken when grilling chicken for another meal. Freeze the extra to use later in other dishes like my grilled chicken pasta salad…or this yummy pizza!

Sprinkle the grilled chicken evenly on top of the cheese.

Step 5 — The Crispy Bacon

When it comes to the bacon on this pizza, there are two options. Prepare it yourself, or buy pre-cooked bacon. I recommend thick applewood bacon for the texture and flavor.

If cooking your own, in a skillet over medium-high heat, cook 4 slices of bacon until crispy. Drain on a paper towel, cool, and crumble.

Add the bacon on top of the chicken and cheese.

Step 6 — Finishing Touches: Red Onion and Extra Cheese

It’s time to bring all the finishing elements of this delicious pizza together!

Finish this pizza off by sprinkling the top with the thinly sliced, or diced, red onions. If you’re not a fan of red onions…go ahead and skip them! This is your pizza after all. Add the remaining ½ cup of cheddar cheese. That final sprinkle of cheese helps hold everything together.

Baking Instructions For The Perfect Crust And Melted Cheese

Preheat the oven to 475°F (246°C). Allow it to preheat for at least 15–20 minutes as you shape the pizza in the next step. If using a pizza stone, place it in the oven to preheat as well. If using an outdoor pizza oven, follow the directions per the manufacturer.

TIP: If using a pizza pan or baking sheet, lightly grease with ½ Tablespoon of Olive Oil. Sprinkle lightly with cornmeal, which gives the crust extra flavor and crunch.

Bake for 14–15 minutes or until the crust is golden brown in a traditional oven. 3 minutes in a 700° pizza oven, or per the manufacturer’s directions.

Tips For Serving And Garnishing

Once that toasty BBQ Chicken Bacon Pizza comes bubbling hot from the oven, give it a minute or two to rest, if you can resist slicing into it! Then finish it with a generous sprinkle of fresh chopped cilantro for a pop of color and a little fresh, herby flavor. If you’re adverse to Cilantro, just skip it.

Here’s where things get kicked up a bit…drizzle the pizza with cool, creamy ranch dressing just before serving. The tangy ranch paired with the smoky BBQ sauce, savory bacon, and tender chicken is pure pizza perfection! I like to serve extra ranch on the side, for dipping, because around here, you can never have too much ranch.

Freezing and Reheating instructions are included in the recipe card below.

Other Favorite Pizza Recipes

• The Best Tomato and Fresh Basil Pizza
• Mini Heart-Shaped Pepperoni Air-Fryer Pizzas
• Hasselback Pepperoni Pizza Sliders
• Deep Dish Hot Pocket Pizza
• Pizza Stuffed Biscuits

I hope you enjoy this Cowboy-inspired BBQ Chicken and Bacon Pizza. Slice it up, gather everyone around the table, and watch those pieces disappear! Yee-Haw!

Thanks for stopping by my Nest today! Please come back again soon.

Printable Recipe Card