Chicken BBQ Pizza
BBQ Chicken Pizza—a very tasty cluster-cuss
So after being inspired by a really delicious piece of pie at Luigi’s Pizza in North park San Diego, CA (found 2121 El Cajon Boulevard San Diego, CA 92104
(619) 294-9417—I highly recommend this cheap and tasty dining experience. Cash only, btw. ) I decided to try and recreate/modify/manipulate my own BBQ pizza. This adventure would prove to be wonderful and at moments dreadfully frightful. Here’s my ingredient list:
§ One packet of Trader Joe’s Plain Pizza Dough (or your own recipe if you’re feeling fancy)
§ One tube (approx. 5 ounces) of tomato paste (or your own)
§ Oregano
§ Garlic powder
§ “Italian” seasoning
§ Olive Oil
§ Warm water
§ Frank’s Hot Sauce
§ Red pepper flakes
§ Brown sugar
§ Salt and Pepper (to taste)
§ A quality BBQ sauce
§ A small- medium block of quality mozzarella
§ Small amount of cheddar
§ 2 medium to large boneless chicken breast
§ Fresh corn cut from cob
§ Approx. 5 celery sticks
§ ½ cup of flour to be used throughout
§ Onion sautéed*
You’ll notice that I don’t really list quantity- I usually cook to taste with all ingredients and just guess/make it up as I go.
*I didn’t add onion to this particular pizza but in hindsight it would be a great addition!
Preparation:
Sauce—
In a saucepan combine tomato paste with equal parts olive oil and water (add the water and oil very slowly—and add until you have sauce the consistency that you want). After you’ve added the basics then flavor away. Here’s what I added: 1.5 teaspoons of garlic powder, two dashes of oregano, a dash of Italian seasoning (I have no idea what is in “Italian seasoning” but the sauce was fantastic, salt, pepper, red pepper flakes, 2 teaspoons of frank’s hot sauce, a quarter cup of barbeque sauce, and ½ tablespoon of brown sugar. Stir it up and either let it sit to flavor or simmer for 10 minutes. Be sure to add a little extra of all ingredients for when you dump a portion on the floor.
Chicken-
Bake thawed chicken breast at 250 degrees for forty minutes. You can marinate beforehand if you wish. Let breast cool and then chop into small bites.
Celery-
Dice celery. Heat up small amount of olive oil on high. Add celery and sauté for 3 minutes—DON’T OVER COOK! You want it to be slightly golden brown and still very crunchy.
Onions-
Saute, sauté, sauté!!
Corn-
Grill or bake two ears of corn. After the corn has cooled cut the kernels from the cob. (this process reminded me of doing this when I had braces back in the sixth grade) I simply used corn that was uneaten from the previous day’s meal. Do what you want, but I prefer fresh to canned. It is worth it for that extra flavor and crisp bite.
Other preparation—
I am listed a few other steps you’ll wanted to take prior to assembly because once the process starts it will go pretty fast.
- Slice and dice/shred your cheese—the more the better
- Mix together your onions, celery, chicken, and corn.
- Add a dollop or two of BBQ sauce and mix in well.
- Follow the directions on the dough- set it out to rise- let it sit for 20 minutes
- Find a rolling pin
- This is an important step—if you skip it you’ll be like me and not be able to find one and end up using the roundest glass you can
- Heat oven to 450 and put pizza pan in the oven—you’ll want it to be hot for optimal crust.
Once you’ve done all these things you’re ready for a quick and dirty pizza making process.
Pull the pizza stone from the oven. It will be very hot!- Lightly oil the stone
- Throw the dough on a floured surface and roll it out
- Once it is as thin as you want place it on the stone
- Layer the toppings quickly—the bottom of your crust is already starting to bake so don’t take your time
- Place bake in your now very pre-heated oven and bake at 450 for 10-12 minutes
- If your pizza is beautifully golden brown and the cheese is melted it is ready.
- Cool for at least 10 minutes
- ENJOY!!
