Best High-Protein Low-Carb BBQ Chicken Crust Pizza
This high-protein BBQ Chicken Pizza recipe features a chicken crust made with shredded chicken, parmesan cheese, and egg, topped with BBQ sauce, mozzarella, tomatoes, spinach, mushrooms, and onions. Gluten-free and low-carb, it’s the perfect pizza night meal the whole family will love.
Why You’ll Love This Easy BBQ Chicken Crust Pizza Recipe
- High in protein: A flavorful crust made from shredded chicken and parmesan boosts the protein content.
- Gluten-free and low-carb: Perfect for those avoiding gluten or looking for a lower-carb pizza option.
- Loaded with fresh toppings: Sautéed mushrooms, spinach, red onions, tomatoes, and mozzarella bring big flavor.
- Perfect for family pizza night: A fun, easy-to-make recipe that’s sure to become a favorite.
Ingredients & Substitutions
Here is everything you need to make the best-tasting viral barbecue chicken pizza crust in the oven:
Cooked Chicken: You can use canned chicken, cooked chicken breasts, rotisserie chicken, or leftover chicken. Raw chicken must be cooked first.
Egg: flaxseed or chia seed “egg” (1 tablespoon ground flaxseed or chia seeds mixed with three tablespoons of water, let sit for 5 minutes to thicken)
Fresh Garlic: You can replace with garlic powder.
Italian Seasonings: Fresh herbs would also taste delicious.
Light Olive Oil: Any healthy oil will taste delicious, including extra virgin olive oil, avocado oil, or grapeseed oil.
Parmesan Cheese: You can use grated or shredded parmesan cheese. You can also use another meltable cheese, such as mozzarella cheese, white cheddar, or Monterey jack.
Red Onions: These are optional and can be replaced with green onion, white onion, yellow onion, or scallions.
Mushrooms: You can use any mushroom variety you like or you can omit them.
Mozzarella Cheese: This cheese has the best melt and gives the classic cheese pull. But you can also use cheddar cheese, Monterey jack cheese, gouda cheese, or provolone cheese.
Baby Spinach: You can replace the spinach with kale leaves or omit them.
Barbecue Sauce: You can use your favorite BBQ sauce, homemade BBQ sauce, or low carb BBQ sauce that meets your dietary needs.
How to Make My Low-Carb Chicken Pizza Crust with BBQ Sauce Recipe
Here are easy, detailed, step-by-step instructions for the best way to make chicken crust BBQ pizza. The instructions are also repeated in the recipe card at the bottom of this blog post.
Step 1: Make the Chicken Pizza Dough
In an upright blender or food processor, combine the canned chicken, grated parmesan cheese, egg, garlic cloves, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Mix well to combine.
Step 2: Cook the Chicken Pizza
AIR FRYER METHOD:
Cut a round piece of parchment paper that will fit inside your air fryer. Drop roughly half of the chicken mixture onto the parchment paper. This amount will vary depending on the size of your air fryer. Pour a small amount of oil on your fingers so the dough doesn’t stick to them, and spread the dough about 1/4 inch thick and 1/2 inch inside the edge of the parchment paper.
Carefully transfer the parchment paper with the crust onto the air fryer basket.
Air fry the crust for about 10-12 minutes at 385°F, or until it is golden brown and crispy, flipping halfway through cooking. Remove the crust from the air fryer and let it cool slightly.
OVEN METHOD:
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet or sheet pan, round pizza pan, or pizza stone with parchment paper. Pour a small amount of oil on your fingers so the dough doesn’t stick to them, and spread the dough about 1/4 inch thick.
Bake the crust in the preheated oven for about 25-30 minutes or until it is golden brown and crispy. Remove the crust from the oven and let it cool slightly.
Step 3: Prepare the Toppings
Bring a frying pan to medium-high heat and add one tablespoon of oil. Then add the chopped mushrooms and red onions. Season with salt. Occasionally stir with a spatula until they are soft and translucent. Transfer to a paper-towel-lined plate. Add another tablespoon of oil to the pan and add the baby spinach. Cook for several minutes until wilted. Transfer to the paper-towel-lined plate.
Finely dice the tomatoes and grate the cheese.
Step 4: Assemble and Cook the Pizza
Spread the BBQ sauce on the slightly cooled crust. Then, spread the wilted spinach leaves and shredded mozzarella cheese on top of the pizza. Then add the mushrooms, red onions, and diced tomatoes.
Bake for 6-8 minutes in the oven until the cheese is melted and bubbly. You can also broil the pizza on high for about one minute to toast the cheese. Sprinkle with fresh cilantro or basil for a touch of freshness.
BBQ Chicken Pizza Crust Recipe Notes
Canned Chicken: Drain the canned chicken well before using it in the crust to remove excess moisture. This will help ensure that the crust bakes up crispy.
Crust Consistency: If you like a crispier crust, you can extend the cooking time by a few minutes. This recipe is best enjoyed fresh and hot, as the crust will lose some crispiness when stored.
Seasoning: Adjust the seasonings to taste. You can more or less of your favorite herbs and spices. If you prefer a spicier crust, you can add a pinch of red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper to the chicken mixture.
Serving Suggestions
Here are a few delicious pizza toppings:
Classic Cheese: pizza sauce, mozzarella cheese
Supreme Pizza: pizza sauce, cheese, sausage, bell peppers, onions, and mushrooms
Meat Lovers: pizza sauce, cheese, pepperoni, ground beef, sausage, and bacon
Hawaiian: pizza sauce, cheese, and pineapple
Four Cheese Pizza: pizza sauce, mozzarella, parmesan, ricotta, and asiago cheese
Buffalo Chicken: buffalo sauce, cheese, red onions, and sometimes ranch or blue cheese dressing, offering a spicy and tangy flavor
Pesto Pizza: pesto sauce, fresh basil, and monterey jack cheese
Extra Seasonings: Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, garlic aioli
Do you love pizza? Check out more of my easy and healthy pizza recipes:
Best High-Protein Low-Carb BBQ Chicken Crust Pizza
Ingredients
Chicken Pizza Crust:
- 20 ounces canned chicken
- 1 egg
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons light olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- dash pepper
Pizza Toppings:
- 2 cups mozarella cheese
- 1 cup mushrooms
- 2 cups baby spinach leaves
- 1/4 red onion
- 1/2 cup diced tomatoes
- 1/4 cup barbecue sauce
Instructions
- In an upright blender or food processor, combine the canned chicken, grated parmesan cheese, egg, garlic cloves, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Mix well to combine.
- AIR FRYER METHOD:Cut a round piece of parchment paper that will fit inside your air fryer. Drop roughly half of the chicken mixture onto the parchment paper. This amount will vary depending on the size of your air fryer. Pour a small amount of oil on your fingers so the dough doesn't stick to them, and spread the dough about 1/4 inch thick and 1/2 inch inside the edge of the parchment paper.Carefully transfer the parchment paper with the crust onto the air fryer basket.Air fry the crust for about 10-12 minutes at 385°F, or until it is golden brown and crispy, flipping halfway through cooking. Remove the crust from the air fryer and let it cool slightly.
- OVEN METHOD:Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet, round pizza pan, or pizza stone with parchment paper. Pour a small amount of oil on your fingers so the dough doesn't stick to them, and spread the dough about 1/4 inch thick.Bake the crust in the preheated oven for about 25-30 minutes or until it is golden brown and crispy. Remove the crust from the oven and let it cool slightly.
- Bring a frying pan to medium-high heat and add one tablespoon of oil. Then add the chopped mushrooms and red onions. Season with salt. Occasionally stir with a spatula until they are soft and translucent. Transfer to a paper-towel-lined plate. Add another tablespoon of oil to the pan and add the baby spinach. Cook for several minutes until wilted. Transfer to the paper-towel-lined plate.Finely dice the tomatoes and grate the cheese.
- Spread the BBQ sauce on the slightly cooled crust. Then, spread the wilted spinach leaves and shredded mozzarella cheese on top of the pizza. Then add the mushrooms, red onions, and diced tomatoes.Bake for 6-8 minutes in the oven until the cheese is melted and bubbly. You can also broil the pizza on high for about one minute to toast the cheese. Sprinkle with fresh cilantro or basil for a touch of freshness.
Video
This was my first time making a chicken crust pizza and it turned out great! I omitted the mushrooms and added green peppers. The chicken is really flavorful and I love that it’s low carb. Will be making again!!
Thank you for the review, Dolores! I’m so glad you enjoyed this recipe 🙂
I’m so excited to share this recipe with you! BBQ chicken pizza is one of my favorite flavors! I hope you have a chance to make this recipe 🙂