Ultimate Korean BBQ Chicken Pizza: A Homemade Flavor Explosion
Prepare your taste buds for an extraordinary culinary journey as we dive into the creation of the most irresistible Korean BBQ Chicken Pizza. This isn’t just any pizza; it’s a meticulously crafted masterpiece, boasting a perfectly thick and chewy crust, generously slathered with a vibrant homemade Korean BBQ sauce, succulent chicken, crisp red onions, fresh cilantro, bright scallions, and an abundance of gloriously melted mozzarella cheese. Get ready to crown this your new favorite pizza recipe, one that promises a symphony of sweet, tangy, and savory notes in every single bite.
The Culinary Quest: Recreating a Dream Pizza
My obsession with this particular Korean BBQ Chicken Pizza began during a memorable trip to Mumbai, of all places. It might seem unexpected to find the pizza of a lifetime in the heart of Indian cuisine, but there it was – a revelation that ignited a passionate quest to recreate that unparalleled flavor experience at home. Since that moment, perfecting this recipe has become a true labor of love, filled with delightful experimentation and, admittedly, a few delicious mishaps.
The journey to this flawless pizza wasn’t without its challenges. My initial attempts, while undeniably tasty, often resulted in a saucy, glorious mess. Picture this: a delicious blend of flavors, but with a crust that couldn’t quite contain the sheer volume of a homemade BBQ sauce. I vividly recall devouring these “failures” with a spoon, embracing every wet, delicious bite, even as I pondered how to achieve that perfect structural integrity. The second attempt, though an improvement, still wasn’t quite there. But every ‘research and dinner’ session brought me closer to understanding the nuances of a truly exceptional Korean BBQ chicken pizza.
Achieving the ideal crust texture was paramount. I envisioned a pizza with a beautiful, bubbly, golden-brown cheese topping, cradled by a crust that’s crisp on the outside and wonderfully chewy within. My previous efforts, while nailing the cheese, often yielded a crust that was too soft or failed to stand up to the generous toppings. It was a delicate balance of dough, sauce consistency, and baking technique that I relentlessly pursued. The pursuit of perfection, as it turns out, often involves a few extra pizzas, and I’m certainly not complaining!
The Heart of the Pizza: Our Signature Korean BBQ Sauce
The soul of this pizza lies in its phenomenal homemade Korean BBQ sauce. Let me tell you, developing this sauce was another intense journey of trial and error, but the results are absolutely worth every single effort. This isn’t just any BBQ sauce; it’s a dynamic blend that hits all the right notes: a delightful tanginess, a comforting sweetness, a subtle spicy kick, and a rich savory depth that will captivate your palate. Its complexity perfectly complements the shredded chicken, making it an indispensable component of this pizza.
While a store-bought Korean BBQ sauce can certainly serve as a shortcut when you’re pressed for time, I wholeheartedly encourage you to try making this sauce from scratch. It truly elevates the entire dish. The beauty of this homemade sauce is its versatility and longevity. Prepare a batch over the weekend and store it in the refrigerator; it remains fresh and flavorful for up to two weeks (if it even lasts that long!). Beyond pizza, this sauce is incredible in stir-fries, brushed over baked salmon, or as a marinade for grilled shrimp skewers. Its deep, multifaceted flavor profile makes it a pantry staple for countless delicious meals.
Smart Shortcuts for Weeknight Feasts
In the hustle and bustle of everyday life, making a pizza entirely from scratch on a weeknight can feel like an insurmountable task. This is where strategic shortcuts come into play, allowing you to get this incredible Korean BBQ Chicken Pizza on the table in under 30 minutes! The key is preparation. As mentioned, whip up a batch of the Korean BBQ sauce on a less hectic day and keep it chilled. For the base, store-bought pizza dough is an absolute lifesaver – and perfectly acceptable in my culinary philosophy. If you’re an ambitious home baker with freezer space to spare for homemade dough, more power to you! For the rest of us, pre-made dough is a fantastic option.
When it comes to the chicken, convenience is king. Frozen shredded chicken, thawed and ready, works beautifully. Even better, a rotisserie chicken from your local grocery store can be quickly shredded or chopped, providing tender, flavorful chicken without any fuss. These smart choices ensure that a gourmet-quality pizza is accessible even on your busiest evenings, making homemade meals both delicious and practical.
The Game-Changing Trick: Sauce and Chicken First
One of the biggest lessons learned during my recipe development was a crucial technique for sauce application. In my earlier attempts, I made the common mistake of spreading the BBQ sauce directly onto the pizza crust before adding other toppings. While this works for many store-bought sauces laden with stabilizers, homemade sauces are different. They’re fresher, more vibrant, and can sometimes lead to a soggy crust if applied directly to the dough without proper thickening.
The game-changing solution? Slightly thickening the Korean BBQ sauce with a touch of cornstarch, and then, most importantly, tossing the cooked, shredded chicken directly into the sauce *before* it goes onto the pizza. This ingenious method ensures that every piece of chicken is thoroughly coated and infused with that incredible Korean BBQ flavor. It also acts as a protective layer, preventing the chicken from drying out during baking and, crucially, helping to prevent a soggy crust. It’s a double win: deeply flavored, moist chicken and a perfectly crisp crust. You’ll need approximately one cup of cooked chicken per pizza, which typically translates to one boneless, skinless chicken breast. Adjust the quantity to your preference – whether you like a lighter topping or a chicken-packed slice!
Assembling Your Masterpiece: Toppings and Cheese
With your sauce-coated chicken ready, it’s time to assemble your pizza creation. Begin by spreading the sauced chicken evenly over your prepared pizza dough. Next, scatter thinly sliced red onions across the surface. These onions will soften and sweeten during baking, adding a wonderful aromatic contrast to the rich BBQ sauce. Finally, it’s time for the star of any pizza: the cheese!
I love to use a combination of two kinds of mozzarella for the ultimate cheesy experience: fresh mozzarella and shredded mozzarella. The fresh mozzarella melts into creamy, flavorful pools, offering a sophisticated taste and texture. The shredded mozzarella, on the other hand, provides that classic, irresistible stretch and bubbly, golden-brown crust that makes every bite so satisfying. If fresh mozzarella isn’t readily available or you prefer simplicity, using only shredded mozzarella will still yield a delicious result. Remember, if you like an extra dose of BBQ sauce, you can always drizzle a little more over the top before baking, or serve extra sauce on the side for dipping. The 1/2 cup of sauce incorporated into this recipe (with the chicken) provides ample flavor for most palates, but personal preference always rules!
For those who aren’t fond of red onions, feel free to omit them – the pizza will still be spectacular. Conversely, if you’re like my husband and can’t get enough, don’t hesitate to add more! This recipe is incredibly adaptable to your personal preferences, ensuring everyone at the table gets a slice they’ll adore.
Baking to Golden Perfection
The beauty of homemade pizza is how quickly it bakes. This Korean BBQ Chicken Pizza typically requires only 10 to 13 minutes in a preheated oven set to 475°F (245°C). My preferred method involves baking for about 12 minutes, then briefly engaging the broiler for just one minute. This final minute under the broiler is pure magic: it transforms the cheese into a bubbly, golden, slightly charred perfection and crisps up the crust beautifully. However, be vigilant during this step! The broiler works quickly, and cheese can go from perfectly bubbly to burnt in a matter of seconds. Keep a close eye on it to achieve that ideal, irresistible finish.
The Finishing Touches: Freshness and Flair
Once your pizza emerges from the oven, glistening and fragrant, it’s time for the final, essential garnishes. A generous sprinkling of fresh cilantro immediately elevates the flavor profile, adding a bright, herbaceous note that perfectly cuts through the richness of the BBQ sauce and cheese. If cilantro isn’t your preferred herb, don’t worry – you can certainly leave it off, and the pizza will still be delicious. However, for those who love it, it provides an unparalleled “knock-your-socks-off” flavor boost. Chopped scallions (green parts only) contribute a mild oniony freshness and a vibrant pop of green color, enhancing the visual appeal of your masterpiece. For a subtle hint of heat and an extra layer of flavor, a pinch of red pepper flakes adds a welcome zing, making each bite even more exciting.
The combined flavors of the sweet, tangy, and savory Korean BBQ sauce, the robust red onion, the fresh cilantro, and the subtle warmth of red pepper flakes, all nestled atop a tender crust and smothered in bubbly, melty mozzarella, create an unforgettable culinary experience. This Korean BBQ Chicken Pizza isn’t just a meal; it’s a celebration of bold flavors and satisfying textures that will have even the pickiest eaters reaching for another slice. It’s time to retire the takeout menus – your new favorite speedy, flavor-packed pizza awaits!
Korean BBQ Chicken Pizza
15 minutes
13 minutes
28 minutes
A flavor packed BBQ Chicken Pizza with a homemade Korean BBQ Sauce. This Korean BBQ Chicken Pizza has a nice, thick crust thats topped with chicken that’s been drenched in Korean BBQ sauce, red onions, cilantro, scallions, and tons of melty mozzarella cheese. Soon-to-be your new favorite pizza recipe!
Ingredients
- 1 recipe homemade or store-bought pizza dough (enough for 2 large pizzas)
- 1/2 cup Korean BBQ sauce, divided (homemade or high-quality store-bought)
- 2 cups cooked, shredded chicken breasts (about 1 lb. total)
- 1 lb. fresh mozzarella, sliced
- 8 ounces shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 small red onion, thinly sliced
- 3 tablespoons fresh chopped cilantro
- 3 scallions, chopped (green parts only)
- 1 pinch red pepper flakes (optional, for a hint of heat)
Instructions
- Position two racks in the center of the oven and preheat the oven to 475 degrees F (245 degrees C).
- In a medium bowl, combine 7 tablespoons of the Korean BBQ sauce with the cooked, shredded chicken. Toss gently to ensure the chicken is evenly coated, then set aside.
- On a lightly floured surface, roll each of the pizza dough balls out into a 12-inch circle. Carefully transfer the rolled dough to pizza pans or preheated pizza stones. Divide the sauced chicken mixture evenly between the two pizzas. Top each pizza with the sliced red onions, fresh mozzarella slices, and shredded mozzarella cheese. Drizzle the remaining 1 tablespoon of Korean BBQ sauce (or an additional tablespoon if desired) over the top of the pizzas. Bake for 10-13 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is bubbly and melted. For the last minute of baking, optionally turn on the broiler to achieve extra bubbly, slightly browned cheese and a crisper crust. Watch carefully to prevent burning.
- Once baked, immediately top the hot pizzas with fresh cilantro, chopped scallions, and a pinch of red pepper flakes (if using). Slice and serve the pizzas immediately for the best experience. Leftover pizza can be covered tightly and stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, place slices in an oven preheated to 325 degrees F (160 degrees C) for 5-8 minutes, or until warmed through and the crust is crisp again.
Notes
- If fresh mozzarella is unavailable, simply use the equivalent amount of shredded mozzarella cheese.
- Red onions and cilantro are optional toppings; feel free to adjust or omit them based on your preference.
- For a spicier kick, increase the amount of red pepper flakes or add a dash of your favorite hot sauce to the BBQ chicken mixture.
Have you made this recipe?
If you enjoyed this recipe, please consider leaving a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating and a comment below. You can also share a picture on Instagram with the hashtag #LITTLESPICEJAR, I’d love to see what you made!