BBQ Chicken Pizza with a Homemade Protein Crust
I love BBQ chicken and I love pizza, so combining the two was a no-brainer! This creation is smoky, saucy, cheesy, and SO darn delish— I build it on a quick DIY protein crust using just a few simple ingredients… and the toppings are customizable, so feel free to experiment and swap in the things you love most.
I first invented this spin when I had leftover chicken in the fridge…. since we regularly devour my cheesy pizza version, I decided to take it in a new direction. Just imagine a single-serve pizza crust that’s rich in protein and fiber, then smothered with BBQ sauce, tender shredded chicken, red onion, and a sprinkle of sharp cheddar or Mexican blend cheese….OMG. The combination turned out so GOOD and now it’s on repeat in the house.
And let’s talk BBQ sauce for a second—because I can never get enough! That sweet, smoky goodness has a way of transforming any dish into pure comfort food. I like to drizzle it over a salmon bowl, use it to make my Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken, and stir it into pantry staples to make things like BQQ mustard and BBQ applesauce.
BBQ bliss! Why this pizza delivers big
- Protein-powered crust: The same simple Greek-yogurt dough as my cheesy version
- Big BBQ flavor: Tangy sauce, juicy chicken, and melty cheese in every delish bite.
- Customizable toppings: Add peppers, onions, or cilantro for extra nutrition and crunch.
This recipe works beautifully no matter how you decide to top it. I typically make this protein dough when I’ve got a little extra time for homemade, but you can also build this same BBQ masterpiece on a tortilla crust in ten minutes flat. And because cabbage is alwaysss having a moment in my mind (LOL… the brain of a registered dietitian is a very interesting place), I’m also suggesting you try this theme over these roasted cabbage rounds—they soften up in the oven and make a surprisingly tasty (and low-carb) crust… though you’ll definitely need a fork!
These joyful recipes prove that there’s always a way to make pizza night healthy… and delicious!
Make my Buffalo Chicken Slaw!
BBQ Chicken Pizza with a Homemade Protein Crust
Ingredients
Dough
- ¼ cup whole wheat flour, white-whole wheat flour, or 1:1 gluten-free flour
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon ground cumin
- Pinch kosher salt
- ¼ cup nonfat Greek yogurt *
Toppings
- 2 tablespoon BBQ sauce**
- ¼ cup packed shredded chicken mixed with 1 to 2 BBQ sauce
- A few thin slices red onion
- 2 to 4 tablespoon 2% shredded sharp cheddar or Mexican blend cheese
- Optional chopped cilantro and hot sauce for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 450º degrees. Mist a baking sheet with oil spray and set aside.
- In a small bowl, add the flour, baking powder and seasonings. Mix to combine everything. Add the yogurt and stir until you have a crumbled mixture.
- Using your hands, press and fold the flour into the yogurt until all of the pieces come together to form an elastic dough. While at first the dough will be fussy and crumbly, after about a minute of pressing and folding it will come together. Form one ball about the size of a baseball.
- Place the ball on the prepared baking sheet and flatten with your palm. Roll it out into a thin circle using a rolling pin or a soup can until it has about a 7-inch diameter. Your shape can be somewhat artisanal or you can make it perfectly circular by pinching the outside perimeters with your fingers.
- Place in oven on middle rack for 8 minutes. Remove from oven and add the BBQ sauce on the crust and spread it out evenly. Add the saucy chicken, red onion slices and sprinkle on the cheese.
- Place back in the oven for another 5 to 8 minutes until the cheese is melty and the crust is crispy and browned around the edges. Garnish with optional chopped cilantro
