Barbecue Chicken Pizza

I'm pretty sure the first time I ever had barbecue chicken pizza was at California Pizza Kitchen, and it's been one of my favorite varieties of pizza ever since. Nowadays I'm more likely to make homemade pizza than get it from a pizza shop, so I decided it was time to learn how to replicate CPK's version. This is a quick and easy weeknight meal, and so yummy that I guarantee it will become a favorite in your house as well. 

BARBECUE CHICKEN PIZZA

Yields: One 14 inch pizza

Time: 30 minutes

Ingredients:

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 pound boneless skinless chicken breast, cubed

¼ cup barbecue sauce

1 ball of fresh store bought pizza dough

¼ cup flour

⅓ cup barbecue sauce

1½ cups shredded mozzarella

½ cup shredded cheddar

¼ small red onion, chopped

2 tablespoons chopped cilantro (*optional)

Instructions:

1) Preheat oven to 450 degrees with pizza stone inside.

2) Heat the olive oil in a frying pan over medium-high heat. Once warm, cook chicken until done, approximately 5 minutes. Coat the chicken in ¼ cup barbecue sauce and set aside.

3) Sprinkle flour on clean surface, then roll out pizza dough using both hands or a rolling pin. If dough begins to stick to your hands or the rolling pin, then add more flour. Work at it until you've created the pizza size you desire.

4) Take the pizza stone out of the oven, being careful to not burn yourself. Transfer the dough to the pizza stone. The next steps must be done quickly so as not to burn the dough before the pizza cooks in the oven.

5) Using a large spoon, spread the barbecue sauce all over the pizza, leaving room for the crust. Sprinkle cheeses on top, followed by the cooked chicken and chopped red onion. If you have any extra cheese, sprinkle a handful or two on top. Pop the pizza into the oven.

6) Bake for approximately 8 minutes, or until the crust is golden and the cheese is bubbly.

7) Once cooked, remove the pizza from the oven and sprinkle with cilantro. Slice and serve!