Life is exciting right now. I’m officially on summer break, I’ve got graduation next week, and I just got my first job at a local, non-chain, authentic Italian restaurant that will open a lot of doors for me in the culinary career path I want to go in. That being said, I’m getting quite busy right now. I planned on cooking a big dinner and dessert for my mom today and posting about it, but instead we’re spending the day shopping (for my new work clothes!) and probably going to go out to eat.
Instead, I decided to post my moms favorite pizza that I made her a couple nights ago. BBQ chicken pizza. It quickly became my favorite pizza, too.
Fresh, hearty, and healthy pizza dough topped with three nutty, salty, gooey cheeses and chicken bursting with sweet bbq in every bite. With the sharp red onion and earthy cilantro to compliment. This pizza is out of this world.
BBQ Chicken Pizza:
Ingredients:
2 large chicken breast
1 cup BBQ sauce, plus 3-4 tablespoons (a thick kind. I used a thin kind and the top of the crust was a little soggy but still turned out amazing)
1/2 a medium red onion, chopped
6 oz fresh mozzarella, cut into circles
1/4 cup fresh Gouda, chopped into cubes
Freshly shredded Parmesan, for topping
Handful of cilantro, for topping
Pizza crust of choice (recipe for one below)
Directions:
Rinse the chicken & pat dry. Season generously (I used Montreal chicken seasoning) and place them in a glass baking dish with 1 cup bbq sauce of choice over it (I used Bone Suckin’). Bake at 350 degrees for 20-30 minutes or until juices run clear and it’s not pink inside. Let cool a couple minutes before cutting into cubes. Spread out the pizza dough, top it with 3-4 tablespoons bbq sauce, trow on the mozzarella, gouda, chicken, red onion, and top with parmesan. Bake it at 400 degrees for 20-25 minutes or until the crust is golden brown. Let cool slightly before cutting and top with fresh cilantro if desired.
Whole Wheat Pizza Dough:
Original recipe from How Sweet It Is
Ingredients:
2 1/4 teaspoons (1 packet) active dry yeast
3/4 cup warm water
1 cup whole wheat flour
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon honey
1/2 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 teaspoon salt
Directions:
In the bowl of your electric mixer with an attached dough hook, combine warm water, yeast, honey and oil and mix with a spoon. Let sit for 10-15 minutes until foamy, then add in flour and salt. Mix on low speed until just combined, then turn to medium speed to knead the dough for 5-6 minutes. If it seems to sticky, add a bit more flour 1 tablespoon at a time.
Brush a separate bowl with olive oil, add dough, turning once, then set in a warm place to rise for 1 1/2-2 hours. Cover with a damp towel. Put on toppings and bake for 20-25 minutes at 400 degrees.
And to my beautiful mom, thank you for everything! Thank you for supporting me with whatever I do, letting me follow my own path, and being there for whenever I needed you. You know when to be my best friend, and when to be my mom. I’ve always got your back like you’ve got mine <3
To my lovely step-mom (my "other" mom, is actually what I consider her), thank you for encouraging me to do whatever I do, like through school, cooking, and work. Thank you for giving me all your advice and teaching me good morals. Your words of wisdom has taught me a lot, even if you think I don't listen. So thank you for everything <3
Happy Mothers day! Show your mom how much she means to you today.
Meg
/ May 13, 2012I love the addition of cilantro!
EveryCraving
/ May 13, 2012Thanks! It’s fresh picked from my herb garden and my moms favorite herb so I just had to add it. Taste amazing on it, too
Karen
/ May 13, 2012I can see why your mother would enjoy this pizza. I hope she has a nice Mother’s Day.
EveryCraving
/ May 13, 2012Thank you! I hope yours does as well
Chelcie's Food Files
/ May 13, 2012gah that pizza look AMAZING. congrats on your job!
EveryCraving
/ May 13, 2012Thanks girl
katie@nutritioninapeanutshell
/ May 13, 2012I LOVE bbq chicken pizza. Except with blue cheese/gorgonozla
Enjoy your mother’s day!
EveryCraving
/ May 14, 2012Thanks, you too!
Kelli H (Made in Sonoma)
/ May 13, 2012Pizza looks great!
EveryCraving
/ May 14, 2012Thanks!
babychameleonsforsale
/ May 13, 2012thanks for the sweet words and I do know you listed or you wouldnt of went out on your own to the Meatball restaurant! haha!
EveryCraving
/ May 14, 2012Haha, very true. SO glad you told me to go to that place!!
Big Hungry Gnomes
/ May 13, 2012Your BBQ chicken pizza looks absolutely delicious. Every attempt I have had at making pizza has ended in disaster but I’m determined that it will turn out right eventually so I will have give your great recipe a go. Congrats on the new job and thanks for sharing the awesome recipe
EveryCraving
/ May 14, 2012Thank you! You should definitely give this dough a try. It turned out amazing!
A Tablespoon of Liz
/ May 14, 2012Yay for big kid jobs, congrats!! And after looking at those pictures, I’m definitly craving pizza now, even at 9 in the morning, lol.
EveryCraving
/ May 14, 2012Haha thanks! I used to eat cold leftover pizza for breakfast on nights my family had pizza for dinner. Nothing wrong with it
Health Freak College Girl
/ May 14, 2012congrats on the job! bbq chicken pizza is uhhmazing. definitely my favorite kind
EveryCraving
/ May 14, 2012Thank you! And mine too! I’m glad my mama introduced me
Ashley @ AlmostVegGirlie
/ May 14, 2012I’ve always wanted to make my own pizza dough, since I’m usually disappointed by store-bought crusts!
Congrats on the job, it sounds like a perfect opportunity for you!
EveryCraving
/ May 14, 2012You should definitely try out Jessica’s. It was perfect! Especially as a vehicle to carry all the bbq-ness. Thanks a lot!
ohshineon
/ May 14, 2012I’m so glad you got that job or the summer… It sounds like everything you’d want! Be sure to help in the kitchen as much as possible and send me some samples of your cooking
This pizza looks delicious… It’s completely FILLED with toppings.
EveryCraving
/ May 14, 2012Thanks! I’m loving it so far. Of course I would NEVER skimp on the toppings
Living, Learning, Eating
/ May 15, 2012Your family is so lucky to have you cooking for them! And congrats on the summer job – all of that restaurant’s customers are so lucky, too!
Oh, and I’m def drooling over those scones two posts down.
EveryCraving
/ May 15, 2012Haha thank you