Transform your kitchen into a gourmet pizzeria! This copycat BBQ Chicken Pizza recipe brings the beloved flavors of California Pizza Kitchen right to your home, offering a delicious, budget-friendly, and customizable alternative to dining out.
As a family, our love affair with pizza runs deep. It’s that one magical meal that effortlessly brings everyone to the table, smiles all around. While a classic pepperoni pizza holds a special place in our hearts, I’m always eager to explore new and exciting flavors to keep our pizza nights fresh and vibrant. That’s why my collection here on Taste and Tell boasts a diverse range of pizza creations, from my comforting White Pizza Recipe to the zesty Buffalo Chicken Pizza, and the ever-popular Chicken Bacon Ranch Pizza. But among these delicious contenders, one recipe consistently steals the spotlight and reigns supreme: our homemade BBQ Chicken Pizza.
This particular BBQ Chicken Pizza isn’t just a recipe; it’s an experience. It’s a delightful homage to the iconic BBQ Chicken Pizza from California Pizza Kitchen (CPK), reimagined for the home cook. While it draws inspiration from the restaurant favorite, I’m confident in saying this homemade version is not only equally delicious, but often even better. Beyond the incredible taste, choosing to make this pizza at home offers a multitude of advantages. You save money, gain complete control over the quality and source of your ingredients, and best of all, you can savor every cheesy, saucy bite from the comfort of your own home, perhaps even in your most comfortable pajamas! It’s the perfect solution for a cozy night in, a casual family dinner, or entertaining friends without the fuss of reservations or crowded restaurants.
As someone who spends a good portion of my life in the kitchen, constantly experimenting with new recipes and cooking up a storm, many people assume that my children possess incredibly sophisticated palates, happily devouring every culinary creation I place before them. Oh, how I wish that were true!
The reality, much like in many households, is quite different. My kids, bless their hearts, are actually rather selective eaters. Finding a meal that truly excites and satisfies all of them simultaneously is a rare and triumphant occasion. It’s a challenge every home cook understands, a delicate balance of flavor, texture, and familiarity.
However, there’s one glorious exception to this culinary conundrum, one dish that unites them all in collective joy: pizza. The sheer mention of it can transform a quiet evening into a flurry of excited chatter. While a traditional cheese or pepperoni pizza is always a safe bet, my culinary spirit often yearns for a bit more adventure. This desire to “switch it up” is precisely why my blog, Taste and Tell, features such a rich array of pizza recipes. And among all the innovative and classic options, this BBQ Chicken Pizza consistently ranks as one of my personal and family favorites. Its unique blend of sweet, savory, and smoky flavors, combined with familiar textures, makes it an undeniable crowd-pleaser that even the pickiest eaters can’t resist.
Embracing the spirit of innovation, this particular pizza recipe is loosely based on the much-loved BBQ Chicken Pizza from California Pizza Kitchen. But honestly, I’d venture to say it’s even better when made at home. Not only does it taste incredible, but it also comes with a host of benefits. You’ll save a significant amount of money compared to restaurant prices, you have complete transparency regarding the ingredients, ensuring quality and catering to any dietary needs, and you get the ultimate dining experience: a gourmet pizza enjoyed in the comfort of your own home, no dress code required!
Crafting this pizza is more than just cooking; it’s an act of love, a chance to gather your family in the kitchen, and a rewarding way to bring restaurant-quality taste to your dinner table. Whether you’re a seasoned pizza maker or a novice, this recipe is designed to be accessible and enjoyable, promising a mouth-watering result that will have everyone asking for seconds. Let’s dive into the details and turn your next meal into a memorable culinary event!
Essential Ingredients for Your Perfect BBQ Chicken Pizza
Creating an exceptional BBQ Chicken Pizza begins with selecting the right components. Each ingredient plays a crucial role in replicating that iconic California Pizza Kitchen flavor, while also allowing for personal touches and customization. Here’s a closer look at what you’ll need and why each element is important:
- Chicken: The Heart of the Pizza
For this recipe, I typically opt for boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces. It cooks quickly and evenly, absorbing the marinade beautifully. However, if you prefer a richer flavor and slightly more tender texture, boneless, skinless chicken thighs are an excellent alternative. Whichever you choose, ensure it’s cooked thoroughly and uniformly diced for optimal distribution on the pizza. For an even quicker preparation, consider using pre-cooked rotisserie chicken or leftover shredded chicken tossed directly with the BBQ sauce. - BBQ Sauce: The Signature Flavor
The BBQ sauce is undoubtedly the star of this pizza, dictating much of its overall flavor profile. It’s crucial to use a high-quality BBQ sauce that you genuinely enjoy. My personal favorite is Sweet Baby Ray’s for its balanced sweet and tangy notes, but don’t hesitate to experiment with other brands like Stubb’s, Kraft, or even a gourmet artisan sauce. Whether you prefer a smoky, spicy, or sweeter sauce, choose one that truly appeals to your taste buds, as its flavor will be very prominent. - Olive Oil: For Cooking the Chicken
A small amount of olive oil is used to sauté the marinated chicken until it’s perfectly cooked. Extra virgin olive oil will impart a subtle fruitiness, but feel free to substitute with any cooking oil you typically use, such as avocado oil, vegetable oil, or canola oil, depending on your preference and what you have on hand. - Pizza Dough: The Foundation
The base of any great pizza is its dough. I am a firm believer in the superiority of homemade pizza dough, and I highly recommend trying my proven recipe for an unparalleled result. Homemade dough offers a superior texture and flavor that elevates the entire pizza. However, if time is of the essence or you prefer convenience, a good quality store-bought pizza dough (fresh or frozen, thawed) is a perfectly acceptable alternative. Just be sure to bring it to room temperature before stretching. - Cheese: The Melty, Flavorful Blend
For a truly authentic copycat experience mirroring California Pizza Kitchen’s famous creation, the ideal combination is a mix of shredded mozzarella and smoked gouda. Mozzarella provides that classic gooey, stretchy texture and mild creaminess, while smoked gouda introduces a distinct, slightly sweet, and wonderfully smoky depth that is absolutely essential to the CPK flavor profile. If smoked gouda is hard to find or not to your taste, you can certainly use all mozzarella, or a blend of mozzarella with a little provolone for added sharpness. - Red Onion: The Crucial Aromatic Bite
In my opinion, the thinly sliced red onion is what truly makes this pizza sing. Its sharp, slightly sweet, and pungent flavor provides a vibrant contrast to the rich BBQ sauce and cheeses, cutting through the richness beautifully. Slice it as thinly as possible for even cooking and distribution. If you’re not an onion enthusiast, you can certainly reduce the amount or even omit them, though I encourage you to try at least a small amount for the full flavor experience. - Fresh Cilantro: The Finishing Touch
Fresh cilantro is added after the pizza has baked, serving as a bright, herbaceous garnish that adds a burst of freshness and a distinct aroma. Its unique flavor complements the BBQ sauce and chicken perfectly. For those who are not fans of cilantro (a common preference!), you can easily serve it on the side, allowing individuals to sprinkle it onto their own slices as desired. This ensures everyone can enjoy the pizza to their liking.
With these carefully selected ingredients, you’re well on your way to assembling a BBQ Chicken Pizza that rivals any restaurant creation. Now, let’s move on to the simple yet satisfying steps to bring this masterpiece to life in your own kitchen.
Crafting Your Own BBQ Chicken Pizza: A Step-by-Step Guide
Bringing this mouth-watering BBQ Chicken Pizza to life in your own kitchen is a surprisingly straightforward process. With a little preparation and attention to detail, you’ll be enjoying a homemade masterpiece that rivals your favorite pizzeria in no time. Here’s how to do it:
- Marinate the Chicken for Flavor Infusion: This crucial first step ensures your chicken is tender and bursting with BBQ flavor. Place your cut chicken pieces in a bowl and coat them evenly with half of the specified BBQ sauce. While a minimum of 2 hours in the refrigerator is recommended to allow the flavors to truly meld, you can certainly let it marinate longer – even overnight – for an even deeper taste. This step can be done well in advance, making meal prep a breeze.
- Preheat Your Oven and Pizza Stone: About 30-45 minutes before you plan to bake, preheat your oven to a high temperature, ideally between 450ºF and 500ºF (230ºC-260ºC). If you’re using a pizza stone or steel, it’s essential to place it in the oven during this preheating phase. A properly preheated stone ensures a crispy crust and even cooking, mimicking a professional pizza oven.
- Cook the Marinated Chicken: While your oven and pizza stone are heating, prepare the chicken. Heat a skillet or sauté pan over medium-high heat with a splash of olive oil. Add the marinated chicken pieces and cook, stirring occasionally, until they are no longer pink in the center and are lightly browned. This usually takes about 7-8 minutes. Once cooked, remove the chicken from the pan and set it aside to cool slightly.
- Prepare Your Pizza Dough: On a lightly floured surface, or using parchment paper (which I highly recommend for easy transfer!), roll or stretch your pizza dough into your desired shape and thickness, typically a circle about 14-16 inches in diameter. If you’re using my homemade pizza dough recipe, follow the specific instructions for handling. If using store-bought, ensure it’s at room temperature for easier manipulation.
- Sauce the Crust: With your dough ready, it’s time for the base layer of flavor. Evenly spread the remaining BBQ sauce over the pizza crust, leaving about a half-inch border around the edges for the crust. Don’t overload it, as too much sauce can make the pizza soggy.
- Layer the Cheeses: Next, sprinkle half of your shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the BBQ sauce. Follow this with all of the grated smoked gouda cheese. This order ensures the gouda’s distinct flavor is well-distributed and melts beautifully beneath the chicken.
- Add Chicken, Onions, and More Cheese: Evenly distribute the cooked BBQ chicken pieces over the cheese layers. Then, scatter the thinly sliced red onions across the pizza. Finally, sprinkle the remaining mozzarella cheese over the top of the chicken and onions. This top layer of mozzarella will create that perfect golden, bubbly finish.
- Bake to Golden Perfection: Carefully transfer your assembled pizza to the preheated pizza stone (or baking sheet if not using a stone). Bake for approximately 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is gloriously melted and bubbly, and the crust is beautifully golden brown and crispy. Keep a close eye on it, as oven temperatures can vary.
- Garnish and Serve: Once baked, remove the pizza from the oven. Immediately sprinkle generously with fresh, chopped cilantro. This adds a vibrant pop of color and a burst of fresh flavor. Allow the pizza to cool for a minute or two before slicing into wedges and serving. Enjoy your homemade BBQ Chicken Pizza hot and fresh!
Following these steps will ensure a perfectly cooked and incredibly flavorful BBQ Chicken Pizza that will impress everyone at your table. Get ready for a new family favorite!
Expert Tips and Customization for Your BBQ Chicken Pizza
While the core recipe provides a fantastic foundation, a few expert tips and optional customizations can elevate your BBQ Chicken Pizza from great to absolutely unforgettable. These insights come from years of pizza-making experience and are designed to ensure your homemade version is nothing short of perfection.
- The Dough Makes the Difference – Embrace Homemade: I cannot stress this enough: investing a little time in making your own pizza dough will profoundly impact the final taste and texture of your pizza. My pizza dough recipe is truly exceptional (just read the glowing reviews!), offering a perfect balance of chewiness and crispness. It makes a noticeable difference, transforming your pizza into a gourmet experience. If you haven’t tried it yet, this is the recipe to convince you! However, if a store-bought option is your only choice, ensure it’s fresh and allowed to come to room temperature for easier handling.
- Parchment Paper: Your Secret Weapon for Easy Transfer: For anyone who has struggled with transferring a fully loaded pizza onto a hot pizza stone, parchment paper is a game-changer. As outlined in my pizza dough guide, I swear by using parchment paper to build the pizza. It allows you to effortlessly slide your pizza, crust and all, directly onto the scorching hot stone without any sticking or mishaps. This simple trick minimizes stress and maximizes success, ensuring a beautifully shaped pizza every time.
- Time-Saving Shortcut: Pre-cooked Chicken: If you’re short on time but still craving this delicious pizza, don’t let cooking the chicken from scratch hold you back. You can absolutely use pre-cooked chicken! Simply shred a store-bought rotisserie chicken or use any leftover cooked chicken you have on hand. Just mix it directly with the BBQ sauce, ensuring it’s well coated, and proceed with the recipe. This speeds up the process significantly without compromising on flavor. Find tips on how to make shredded chicken here.
- Smoked Gouda: The Key to Authentic CPK Flavor: To achieve that signature, subtly sweet and smoky taste that distinguishes California Pizza Kitchen’s BBQ Chicken Pizza, seek out smoked gouda cheese. Its unique flavor profile truly elevates the pizza. While the recipe is still delicious with regular gouda or even just mozzarella, the smoked variety adds an unparalleled depth that makes it a true copycat. Trust me, it’s worth the hunt!
- The Irresistible Addition of Bacon: CPK offers the option to add bacon to their BBQ Chicken Pizza, and while I haven’t personally tried it on this specific recipe yet, it’s hard to go wrong with bacon! Crispy, salty bacon bits would introduce another layer of texture and savory depth that would undeniably complement the sweet and tangy BBQ flavors. Consider cooking some bacon until crisp, crumbling it, and sprinkling it over the pizza along with the chicken and onions.
- Reheating Leftovers: Keep it Crispy: Leftover pizza is a joy, but reheating it correctly makes all the difference. I store any leftover slices wrapped tightly in foil in the refrigerator. While the microwave is quick, it often results in a soft, sometimes rubbery crust. For best results, I prefer to reheat my pizza on the stovetop in a covered skillet over medium heat, or in a toaster oven. This method helps to re-crisp the crust and ensures the cheese melts perfectly without overcooking.
- Experiment with Toppings: Feel free to customize your BBQ Chicken Pizza! Consider adding thinly sliced jalapeños for a spicy kick, sweet corn kernels for extra texture and sweetness, or even a sprinkle of crumbled blue cheese post-bake for a bold flavor contrast.
- Make it a Meal: Serve your BBQ Chicken Pizza with a simple side salad, a refreshing coleslaw, or some garlic knots for a complete and satisfying meal. A chilled iced tea or a light beer would also pair wonderfully.
By incorporating these tips and allowing yourself to experiment, you’ll not only master this incredible BBQ Chicken Pizza but also make it uniquely your own. Happy cooking!
Explore More Pizza Perfection from Taste and Tell
Our passion for pizza knows no bounds, and we love sharing innovative and delicious recipes to inspire your next pizza night. If you’ve enjoyed this BBQ Chicken Pizza, you’ll definitely want to explore these other fantastic creations from our kitchen:
- Teriyaki Chicken Pizza: A delightful fusion of sweet and savory Asian flavors on a crispy crust.
- Hawaiian Pizza: The classic debate-starter, perfectly balanced with ham and pineapple.
- Sausage and Peppers Pizza: A hearty and flavorful Italian-American favorite.
- Antipasto Pizza: All the best elements of an antipasto platter, transformed into a delicious pizza.
- Clam Pizza with Bacon: An unexpected but incredibly satisfying seafood and savory combination.
- Blue Cheese and Bacon Pizza: Bold flavors for the adventurous palate.
- Egg Pizza with Creamed Spinach: A sophisticated and brunch-worthy pizza experience.
LOOKING FOR MORE FREE RECIPES AND CULINARY INSPIRATION?
Subscribe to my free recipe newsletter to get new family-friendly recipes, cooking tips, and meal ideas delivered directly to your inbox each week! Join our vibrant community and find more delicious inspiration on Pinterest, Facebook, and Instagram. Let’s make every meal a memorable one!
Homemade BBQ Chicken Pizza (CPK Copycat)
Pin Recipe
Save RecipeSaved!
Ingredients
- 1 boneless skinless chicken breast, about 8-10 oz cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1/4 cup bbq sauce
- 1/2 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 lb pizza dough
- 1/4 cup bbq sauce
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Gouda cheese
- 1/2 cup sliced red onion
- 1 tablespoon chopped cilantro
Instructions
- Place the chicken in a bowl and cover with the 1/4 cup of the bbq sauce. Cover and refrigerate for 2 hours.1 boneless skinless chicken breast, about 8-10 oz, 1/4 cup bbq sauce
- If using a pizza stone, place it in the oven and preheat the oven to 450º-500ºF for 30 minutes while you prepare the pizza.
- Heat the olive oil in a saute pan. Add the marinated chicken and cook until the chicken is no longer pink, about 7-8 minutes. Set aside.1/2 tablespoon olive oil
- Roll or stretch your pizza dough into a circle about 14-16” in diameter. (See my pizza dough recipe for tips on preparing the dough.)1 lb pizza dough
- Spread the remaining 1/4 cup of bbq sauce over the pizza dough. Sprinkle half of the mozzarella cheese over the top, followed by all of the gouda.1/4 cup bbq sauce, 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese, 1/2 cup grated Gouda cheese
- Add the chicken over the cheese, then the onions. Sprinkle with the remaining mozzarella cheese.1/2 cup sliced red onion
- Transfer the pizza to the oven and bake until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is melted, about 10 minutes.
- Remove from the oven and top with the cilantro. Slice and serve.1 tablespoon chopped cilantro
Recipe Notes:
Nutrition information provided as an estimate only. Various brands and products can change the counts. Any nutritional information should be used as a general guide.