Thin-Crust BBQ Chicken Pizza with Red Onion and Cilantro
A smoky BBQ chicken pizza with a thin handmade crust, topped with red onion slices, melted cheese, and fresh cilantro. This american-inspired pizza ready in about 82 minutes pairs all-purpose flour, warm water, active dry yeast for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 520 calories and feeds 3, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 280 g all-purpose flour
- 170 ml warm water
- 7 g active dry yeast
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 200 g, shredded cooked chicken breast
- 100 g barbecue sauce
- 1 small (70 g), thinly sliced red onion
- 150 g mozzarella cheese shredded
- 10 g fresh cilantro leaves
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
Instructions
- Step 1: In a small bowl, dissolve 7 g active dry yeast in 170 ml warm water (110°F). Let it activate for 5 minutes until bubbles form.
- Step 2: In a large bowl, combine 280 g all-purpose flour with 1 tsp salt. Make a well and pour in the yeast mixture and 2 tbsp olive oil. Stir until a dough forms.
- Step 3: Knead on a floured surface for 8 minutes until smooth and elastic. Cover with a towel and let rise for 1 hour until doubled.
- Step 4: Preheat oven to 475°F (245°C) and place a pizza stone or inverted baking tray inside.
- Step 5: Toss 200 g shredded cooked chicken with 100 g barbecue sauce and 1/2 tsp smoked paprika in a bowl.
- Step 6: Roll the dough into a thin 12-inch circle. Transfer to parchment paper. Spread the BBQ chicken evenly over the dough.
- Step 7: Scatter 70 g thinly sliced red onion and 150 g shredded mozzarella cheese on top.
- Step 8: Slide the pizza with parchment onto the hot stone and bake for 10-12 minutes until the crust is crisp and cheese is melted.
- Step 9: Remove from oven and sprinkle 10 g fresh cilantro leaves over the pizza before slicing and serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Thin-Crust BBQ Chicken Pizza with Red Onion and Cilantro take to make?
Total time is about 82 minutes (70 min prep + 12 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Thin-Crust BBQ Chicken Pizza with Red Onion and Cilantro?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep all-purpose flour from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Thin-Crust BBQ Chicken Pizza with Red Onion and Cilantro?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Thin-Crust BBQ Chicken Pizza with Red Onion and Cilantro for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 3 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 3). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Thin-Crust BBQ Chicken Pizza with Red Onion and Cilantro?
American pizza like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.