BBQ Chicken and Bacon Pizza

Sweet, smoky, cheesy, and a little spicy. This BBQ chicken and bacon pizza is perfect for pizza night at home!

At a Glance: BBQ Chicken and Bacon Pizza

• What it is / tastes like: A homemade pizza topped with sweet and smoky BBQ chicken, crispy bacon, melty cheese, red onion, and pickled jalapeños.
• When to make it: Perfect for pizza night, game day, or whenever you have leftover cooked chicken.
• Cooking for two: Makes one 10- to 12-inch pizza, perfect for two with little to no leftovers.
• Skill level: Easy.

Ingredients & Substitutions

See the recipe card at the bottom of the post for the exact ingredient amounts.

• Small Batch Pizza Dough: I used my Small Batch Pizza Dough for Two, but your favorite homemade or store-bought pizza dough works too.
• BBQ Sauce: Use your favorite BBQ sauce. Sweet, smoky, or spicy all work well.
• Cooked Chicken: I prefer shredded chicken because it distributes more evenly across the pizza. Diced chicken works too, and rotisserie chicken is a great shortcut.
• Bacon: Cook the bacon before adding it to the pizza, but don't cook it until it's super crispy. It will continue to cook in the oven. Raw bacon won't have enough time to fully cook.
• Cheese: I used Colby Jack and mozzarella. A Mexican cheese blend or a mix of cheddar and mozzarella also works well.
• Red Onion: Thinly sliced red onion adds sweetness and a little crunch.
• Pickled Jalapeños: They add tang and a little heat. Add more or less depending on your spice preference.
• Green Onions: Sprinkle them on top before serving for a fresh finish.

How to Make BBQ Chicken and Bacon Pizza

1. Preheat the oven.
   Preheat the oven to 450–475°F with a pizza pan or pizza stone inside.
2. Stretch the dough.
   Stretch the pizza dough into a 10- to 12-inch round.
3. Add the BBQ sauce.
   Spread the BBQ sauce evenly over the dough, leaving a small border around the edge.
4. Add the chicken.
   Toss the shredded chicken with BBQ sauce until evenly coated. Spread it evenly over the pizza.
5. Add the toppings.
   Sprinkle the Colby Jack cheese over the chicken. Top with the red onion, pickled jalapeños, and the bacon. Finish with the mozzarella cheese.
6.  Bake.
   Bake for 12–14 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
7. Garnish and serve.
   Top with sliced green onions and drizzle with more BBQ sauce, if desired. Slice and serve immediately.

Watch How to Make BBQ Chicken Bacon Pizza for Two

Tips for Success

• Use about 5 ounces of chicken: About 5 ounces of shredded chicken gives the best balance of toppings without overpowering the pizza. That's roughly one small chicken breast or half of a large chicken breast.
• Don't overcook the bacon: Cook the bacon until it's just cooked through, not super crispy. It will continue to crisp up in the oven.
• Drain the pickled jalapeños: Drain off the excess liquid before adding them to the pizza to help prevent a soggy crust.
• Slice the red onion thinly: Thin slices soften as they bake and blend better with the other toppings.
• Preheat your pizza pan or stone: If using a pizza stone, preheat it for at least 30 minutes. In my oven, the pizza took about 14 minutes at 450°F and 12 minutes at 475°F, but baking times may vary depending on your oven.

More Homemade Pizza Recipes to Try

Pizza Dough Recipes

• Small Batch Pizza Dough for Two: The perfect same-day pizza dough for making one 10- to 12-inch pizza.
• Sourdough Discard Pizza Dough: A great way to use up sourdough discard for a delicious pizza for two.
• Easy Stand Mixer Pizza Dough: Makes enough dough for a family pizza night or entertaining.
• Hand Pizza Dough: A larger-batch pizza dough that's easy to make without a stand mixer.

Homemade Pizza Recipes

• Pesto Tomato Pizza: Fresh mozzarella, juicy tomatoes, basil pesto, and fresh basil.
• Spinach and Mushroom White Pizza: Creamy, cheesy, and loaded with vegetables.
• Sausage, Pepper, and Onion White Pizza: A hearty white pizza with Italian sausage and colorful peppers.
• Detroit-Style Pizza: Thick, airy crust with crispy, cheesy edges.

Pizza Basics

• No-Cook Pizza Sauce: A quick, flavorful pizza sauce made with pantry staples.

Print