Vegan BBQ Chicken Pizza

Ingredients & Substitutions

You can find the full printable recipe, including ingredient quantities, below. But first, here are some explanations of ingredients and steps to help you make this recipe perfect every time.

• Pizza Dough: Use store-bought for convenience or make your own pizza dough for an extra homemade touch. Opt for whole wheat dough for added fiber. Swap traditional pizza dough with a gluten-free alternative to make this recipe gluten-free.
• Vegan Yogurt: Plain, unsweetened varieties like Siggi’s or Forager work best for the ranch dressing.
• Brown Sugar Onions: Brown sugar adds subtle sweetness to caramelize the onions perfectly.
• Plant-Based Chicken: Gardein, Beyond Meat, Tofurkey Plant-Based Chicken, or any vegan chicken substitute will work. you can even make homemade vegan chicken! Shred or dice for the best texture.
• BBQ Sauce: Choose a smoky, sweet variety for depth of flavor. Use Homemade Date-Sweetened BBQ Sauce for a high fructose corn syrup-free option or bottled works equally well.
• Vegan Cheese: Use a combination of vegan mozzarella and parmesan for melty, cheesy perfection.

How to Make Vegan BBQ Pizza

Step One: Make the Pizza Dough

The first step in this recipe is preparing the dough. If you’re in a hurry, it’s totally fine to use store-bought pizza dough—there are so many great options available these days. But if you have the time, homemade all the way! There’s just nothing like the flavor of a fresh, homemade crust with its rich, almost buttery taste.

Tip: Make a double batch of pizza dough and freeze some for your next pizza night. Future you will thank you!

Step Two: Make the Dressing

Do you really need ranch dressing on a BBQ pizza? Um, YES! It adds a creamy, tangy flavor to every bite that takes this pizza to the next level. That said, you don’t have to make it from scratch—there are plenty of delicious store-bought vegan ranch dressings. Thank you, Plant-Based Hidden Valley Ranch!

But if you have a few extra minutes, I highly recommend going homemade. It’s so easy to whip up and gives this recipe an extra layer of flavor.

Pro Tip: Always set aside some extra ranch dressing for dipping your pizza crust—it’s life-changing!

Step Three: Cook the Onions

Caramelized onions are the way to go for a BBQ pizza. Adding a touch of brown sugar helps speed up the caramelization process and enhances the onions’ natural sweetness.

To make them, simply sauté sliced onions in olive oil until they’re soft. Then stir in a bit of brown sugar and cook until the onions turn a gorgeous golden color.

Step Four: BBQ Chicken

Let’s talk vegan chicken! Some brands, like Impossible or Gardein, need to be cooked first because they’re soft right out of the package. That’s why I’m a big fan of Tofurky Plant-Based Chicken—it’s made from seitan (wheat meat) and has a firm, flaky texture that’s perfect for this recipe.

Break the chicken into smaller pieces, pour half the BBQ sauce over it, and stir until every piece is coated in saucy goodness.

Step Five: Assemble Your Pizza and Bake

Preheat your oven to 450°F (232°C)—the high heat is key for getting that perfect golden crust and melty vegan cheese.

Time to assemble! Spread the ranch dressing over the dough, then drizzle with some BBQ sauce. Layer on the caramelized onions, BBQ chicken, vegan mozzarella, and parmesan.

Pop your pizza into the oven and bake for 15 minutes. Rotate the pan and bake for another 5 minutes, or until the crust is golden and the cheese is perfectly melted.

The Final Step? Top your pizza with fresh herbs (like basil, thyme, or parsley), serve with extra ranch and BBQ sauce, and enjoy every bite of this delicious creation!

More Pizza Favorites

If you love this recipe for Vegan Chicken BBQ Pizza, here are more pizza favorites to try:

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Cassava Flour Pizza Crust

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Vegan Deep-Dish Pizza

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Vegan Pizza Dough

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