Liza's BBQ Chicken Pizza

Over 20 years ago, when I worked in Downtown L.A., a new restaurant called California Pizza Kitchen opened.  Once I tried their BBQ Chicken Pizza, I knew I needed to recreate it in my kitchen.  What I came up with is one of my family's favorites and it's quite easy to assemble.

I begin my dicing some already cooked chicken breast meat.  Precooked chicken breast strips can be purchased and diced or sometimes I grill an extra breast earlier in the week to use on this pizza.  I toss it with some BBQ sauce (our family favorite is KC Masterpiece Private Stock Reserve) and put it in the microwave at 50% for 2 minutes.

Meanwhile, I slather a Boboli Italian Pizza Crust with more of the BBQ sauce.

Next, I add a generous layer of mozarella cheese . . .

followed by some medium cheddar for flavor.

I follow this up with some diced red onion . . .

and some fresh cilantro.

The last thing I add is the chicken in the BBQ sauce.

I think my Pampered Chef baking stone gives me the best results. I also like that it keeps the pizza slices hot until eaten.

 The pizza goes on the stone and into a preheated 400 degree oven for 15 minutes.  This amount of time and temperature is perfect on the stone as the pizza can be sliced and eaten immediately.  I've also baked it at 450 degrees for the same amount of time, but it needs to sit for at least 5 minutes before eating, as it is hard to slice and too hot to eat right away.  This might be the best way to go if you don't have a baking stone, so it stays warm longer.

The result is a delight to the taste buds and is considered comfort food in my household.  I have served this to many friends of my boys and it always gets rave reviews.  I made it once for my parents who are in their 80's and they liked it so much, they now make it, too!  By the way, it's good reheated as left overs (if there are any!)  Enjoy!

Liza's BBQ Chicken Pizza

1 - 14 oz. Boboli Italian Pizza Crust

1 cup diced, cooked chicken breast

1/4 cup plus 1/3 cup BBQ sauce

12 oz. mozarella cheese, shredded

4 oz. medium cheddar cheese, shredded

1/3 cup diced red onion

1/4 cup lightly packed chopped fresh cilantro leaves

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.  In a small bowl, combine diced chicken breast with 1/4 cup BBQ sauce.  Heat in microwave oven at 50% for 2 minutes.  Meanwhile, place pizza crust on a baking stone or baking sheet.  Spread evenly with 1/3 cup BBQ sauce.  Top with shredded mozarella cheese, then the shredded cheddar cheese.  Sprinkle the red onions on top, followed by the chopped cilantro.  Evenly add the chicken in the BBQ sauce.  Bake in the oven at 400 degrees for 15 minutes.  Slice and serve.