I’m sharing my BBQ chicken pizza recipe California Pizza Kitchen style! This copycat recipe has the perfect smoky BBQ sauce, tender chicken, and melted cheese on a crispy crust, just like the CPK classic. Perfect for homemade pizza nights, it’s a delicious way to recreate the restaurant favorite right at home!
My ultimate favorite pizza night creation is California Pizza Kitchen’s BBQ chicken pizza! Growing up, the nearest CPK was right down the road, and this was my go-to, along with their kids’ mac and cheese and BBQ chicken chop salad.
When I moved away, no CPK nearby meant no more of those comforting bites from childhood, so I set out to recreate some of my favorites at home—starting with this BBQ chicken pizza recipe.
If you love pizza and you love barbecue, you have to try this copycat CPK BBQ chicken pizza recipe!
Table of Contents:
- Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Ingredients You’ll Need for This Recipe
- How to Make This Recipe
- FAQs & Tips & Substitutions
- BBQ Chicken Pizza Recipe California Pizza Kitchen Recipe
Why You’ll Love This BBQ Chicken Pizza Recipe
- It’s a perfect copycat – With BBQ sauce, smoky gouda, and tender chicken, it’s just like the classic BBQ chicken pizza California Pizza Kitchen made famous. Cravings satisfied!!
- Easy and accessible ingredients – For as good as this pizza tastes in restaurants, you’d be surprised the you only need a few basic toppings like chicken breasts, BBQ sauce, gouda, mozzarella, red onions, and fresh herbs to make this pizza.
- Great for gatherings – Make this for a pizza night, and everyone will rave about the flavors! Plus, it’s way more unique than classic pepperoni pizza (not that there’s anything wrong with good ol’ flavors).
If you love this pizza recipe and want another creative pizza idea, you should try my hot honey pepperoni pizza!
Ingredients You’ll Need for this Pizza Recipe
This pizza has all the ingredients you love: tender BBQ chicken, melty cheese, red onions, and a hint of fresh cilantro on top of a crispy, homemade italian pizza crust.
- Chicken breasts – Boneless, skinless, cut for quick cooking.
- Olive oil – To cook the chicken and add flavor.
- BBQ sauce – Use a sweet and tangy BBQ sauce for that signature flavor.
- Pizza crust – Use two pre-made crusts and sprinkle cornmeal for easy handling.
- Smoked gouda and mozzarella cheese – This blend brings the right mix of creamy and smoky flavors.
- Red onion and fresh cilantro – These toppings add a burst of color and freshness to the pizza.
- Parmesan cheese and oregano – Sprinkle for extra flavor.
It’s perfect for pizza night and tastes just like the CPK version you remember.
How to Make BBQ Chicken Pizza
- Preheat the oven to 475°F.
- Slice the chicken breasts in half length wise, so you have four thin pieces. heat a skillet with olive oil. Season chicken with salt and pepper, then cook for 6 minutes per side on medium high heat. Let it rest, then slice into bite-sized cubes.
- Spread BBQ sauce over each pizza crust, then add mozzarella and gouda. Top with chicken, red onion slices, and a sprinkle of parmesan.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes or until the cheese is bubbling. Top with fresh cilantro right before serving.
FAQs: Tips & Substitutions
Yes, shred or dice it before adding to the pizza for an even faster meal.
Use extra mozzarella or try smoked cheddar for a similar flavor.
Absolutely! Use your favorite BBQ sauce, or whip up some homemade BBQ sauce.
BBQ Chicken Pizza Recipe (California Pizza Kitchen Copycat)
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 chicken breasts
- 2 pizza crusts with cornmeal for handling dough
- 1/2 cup sweet & tangy barbecue sauce
- 3 tbsp smoked gouda cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella
- 1/2 red onion sliced
- 1 tsp oregano
- 3 tbsp fresh cilantro
- parmesan cheese for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 475°F.
- Slice the chicken breasts in half length wise, so you have four thin pieces. heat a skillet with olive oil. Season chicken with salt and pepper, then cook for 6 minutes per side on medium high heat. Let it rest, then slice into bite-sized cubes.
- Spread BBQ sauce over each pizza crust, then add mozzarella and gouda. Top with chicken, red onion slices, and a sprinkle of parmesan.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes or until the cheese is bubbling. Top with fresh cilantro right before serving.
Let me know in the comments if you loved this CPK copycat BBQ chicken pizza recipe!
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This is the best bbq chicken pizza recipe! I made it for my family and everyone loved it!