Homemade BBQ Chicken Pizza

Ingredients

• 1/2 recipe homemade pizza dough (or 1 lb. store-bought pizza dough)
• 1 Tablespoon (15ml) olive oil, divided
• 1 Tablespoon (8g) cornmeal
• 1/3 cup + 2 Tablespoons (130g) your favorite barbecue sauce
• 1 cup chopped or shredded cooked chicken (about one 8-ounce breast)
• 2/3 cup (70g) shredded mozzarella cheese
• 2/3 cup (70g) shredded smoked gouda cheese
• 1/2 small red onion, thinly sliced
• 1 Tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro, for topping (or use basil)

Direction

1. Dough: Prepare pizza dough through step 3. If using store-bought frozen pizza dough, make sure it’s thawed.
2. Preheat oven to 475°F (246°C). Allow it to heat for at least 15–20 minutes as you shape the pizza in the next step. If using a pizza stone, place it in the oven to preheat as well. Lightly grease a large baking sheet or pizza pan with 1/2 Tablespoon of olive oil. Sprinkle lightly with cornmeal, which gives the crust extra crunch and flavor.
3. Shape the dough: When the homemade dough is ready, punch it down to release any air bubbles. Divide the dough in half and freeze half the dough for another time—see freezing instructions in the pizza dough recipe. On a lightly floured work surface using lightly floured hands or rolling pin, gently flatten the dough into a disc. Place on prepared pan and, using lightly floured hands, stretch and flatten the disc into a 12-inch circle, about 1/2-inch thick. If the dough keeps shrinking back as you try to stretch it, stop what you’re doing, cover it lightly and let it rest for 5–10 minutes, then try again. Once shaped into a 12-inch circle, lift the edge of the dough up to create a lip around the edges. I simply pinch the edges up to create the rim. If using a pizza stone, place the dough directly on a baker’s peel dusted with cornmeal. Cover dough lightly with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel and allow to rest for a few minutes as you gather the pizza toppings.
4. Top the pizza: Using your fingers, push dents into the surface of the dough to prevent bubbling. Brush remaining olive oil all over the dough. Spread 1/3 cup (about 95g) BBQ sauce evenly on top of the dough. Toss the cooked chicken with the remaining BBQ sauce, then scatter it all around the pizza. Top with evenly with the cheeses and red onion.
5. Bake for 14–15 minutes or until the crust is golden brown. Remove from the oven, and sprinkle with fresh cilantro, if desired.
6. Slice hot pizza and serve immediately. Cover leftover pizza tightly and store in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Freezing and reheating instructions below.