BBQ Chicken Pizza

I know what you are thinking – Chicken Pizza – no way. That was my exact thought – chicken doesn’t go on pizza. Pizza is supposed to be red sauce, pepperoni, cheese, etc. – my kids still feel that way. But as an adult you get bored with eating the same things all the time – at least I do. It’s time to spice things up a bit – get a little wild in the kitchen. I had noticed where some pizza shops offered a barbequed chicken pizza or even a wild buffalo-wing pizza. Why not try my hand at making my own - It could be good – you will never know until you try. My husbands Uncle visits often on the weekends and I usually make a nice meal for us – well this particular weekend I told him I wanted to try a new recipe - a barbecued chicken pizza. He said he had tried some before at a local pizza shop and said it was good. SO my husband and his Uncle Paul agreed to be my official taste testers so to say……. I was paid the best compliment by Uncle Paul – he said that my pizza was way better than the pizza shop one he had – OH happy happy me! I must add my own two cents - this was a very good pizza even with chicken on it. A delicious alternative to tomato sauce based pizzas! You are probably wondering okay what did my husband think – well he said it was good – but given the fact that my husband doesn’t like barbecue sauce – he preferred the steak pizza I made or regular pizza. BUT he was a very good sport and gave it a try.

• Ready In: 1 hr 15 mins
• Serves: 8-10

Ingredients

• 3  boneless chicken breasts, cooked and cubed
• 1⁄2-1  cup  Italian salad dressing
• 1⁄4 teaspoon  california  garlic salt
• 1⁄4 teaspoon seasoning salt
• 1⁄4 teaspoon pepper
• 1  cup Open Pit Barbecue Sauce
• 1  tablespoon honey
• 1  teaspoon molasses
• 1⁄3 cup brown sugar
• 2  teaspoons cayenne pepper (Depends on your taste, opt)
• 1  large onion, Sliced into strips
• 1  green pepper, Sliced into strips
• 1⁄4 cup margarine or 1⁄4 cup olive oil, for sauteing
• 1⁄2-1  cup  ranch dressing
• 1 (12 inch)  pre-baked  prepared pizza crust
• 6  slices provolone cheese
• 1 1⁄2 cups  Italian cheese blend, shredded

Directions

1. Sprinkle seasonings on chicken breast – then dredge them in Italian salad dressing.
2. Bake for 45 minutes – 1 hour at 350°. This seasons the chicken nicely and gives it a wonderful flavor. When the chicken is done set it aside to cool – then cube it.
3. Preheat oven to 375°.
4. In a saucepan over medium high heat, combine barbecue sauce, honey, molasses, brown sugar, cayenne pepper (if desired) and cubed chicken. Bring to a boil.
5. Sauté onions and green peppers; set aside.
6. Spread ranch dressing over pizza crust. Place slices of provolone cheese over ranch dressing. Spread chicken mixture evenly on top of cheese.
7. Top with sautéed onions/green pepper mix, then sprinkle with shredded Italian cheese blend.
8. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, or until cheese is melted.
9. Option: try drizzling extra ranch dressing over the chicken – then top with cheese.
10. NOTE: If the chicken barbecue mixture is soupy – use a slotted type spoon to scoop it out and place it on the pizza – you don’t want it to soupy. I also strain my onion and pepper mixture.