The copycat recipes continue! If you’ve ever been to the California Pizza Kitchen, chances are you’ve had this pizza. It’s one of their most popoular pizzas, if not the most popular. It’s insanely delicious, and topped with cilantro it just takes to the next level. I’m a HUGE pizza fan, and was so excited to give this a try! After having tried this, I’m even more excited to make a few of their other pizzas at home too. Ever had their California Club Pizza? It’s to die for! If you like BBQ chicken, I can just about guarantee you will love this pizza!
I’ve been loving creating some of my restaurant favorites at home the last few weeks. There’s nothing better than having the control of making what you love right at home where you know exactly what goes in to your food and can enjoy what you love (for generally cheaper) without going out! For the locals, I’ll be teaching a class at the Pinners Conference on ‘Copycat Favorites’. If you’re free Friday November 7th @ 1:30 come to my class at the South Towne Expo Center and taste a couple of yummy recipes from your favorite restaurants that you can make right at home! Register here & use the code ‘triedandtasty’ for $5 off! Not only would it be great to grub together, I’d love to meet you! Hope to see you there!
Copycat California Pizza Kitchen BBQ Chicken Pizza
Enjoy this popular Copycat California Pizza Kitchen BBQ Chicken Pizza recipe made right at home! Comes together easily, and so delicious the whole family will enjoy it!
Ingredients
Crust
- 1 tsp. instant or active dry yeast
- 1-1/2 c. warm water
- 4 c. all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp. salt
- 1/3 c. olive oil
For the pizza
- 2 whole boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1/2 c. your favorite barbecue sauce
- Olive oil for drizzling
- Salt for sprinkling
- 16 oz fresh mozzarella cheese sliced thinly
- 1 c. shredded smoked gouda cheese
- 1/2 red onion thinly sliced
- Chopped cilantro to taste
Instructions
For the crust
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In a small bowl, sprinkle yeast over (very) warm water; let stand for a few minutes and set aside.
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In a stand mixer, using the paddle attachment, combine flour and salt. With the mixer running on low speed, drizzle in olive oil until combined with flour.
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Next, pour in yeast/water mixture and mix until just combined, and the dough comes together in a sticky mass (clean from the sides of the bowl).
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Coat a separate mixing bowl with a light drizzle of olive oil, and form the dough into a ball. Toss to coat dough in olive oil, then cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap and set it aside for 1 to 2 hours, or store in the fridge until ready to use.
For the pizza
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Preheat oven to 375 F.
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Salt chicken breasts on both sides, then place in an ovenproof dish. Evenly coat chicken breasts with BBQ sauce on both sides. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until chicken is done. Remove from oven and cut into 1/2 in. cubes; set aside.
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Increase oven temperature to 500 F.
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Roll/stretch out one pizza crust (recipe makes two). Lay on a sheet pan or pizza pan/stone drizzled with olive oil. Drizzle a little olive oil on the crust, then sprinkle on a little salt (optional). Spoon a couple of tablespoons of extra BBQ sauce on the crust and spread evenly. Top sauce with half the sliced mozzarella, half the diced chicken and half of the thinly sliced red onion, finish with a sprinkling of smoked gouda. Sprinkle again with a little salt.
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Bake for 10 to 15 minutes, or until crust is golden brown and toppings are bubbly. Remove from the oven and sprinkle on chopped cilantro. Slice and serve immediately. Repeat with other crust and other ingredients, or save for later!
Recipe Notes
This recipe makes two pizzas. According to the Pioneer Woman, t’s best to make the dough at least 24 hours in advance, and 3 or 4 days is even better.
Adapted from The Pioneer Woman
Want more pizza recipes? Try these!
Thin Style Thai Chicken Pizza // Tried and Tasty
Chicken & Spinach Pita Pizza // Tried and Tasty
Spinach & Artichoke Veggie Pizza // Tried and Tasty
Stuffed Candy Corn Pizza // Tried and Tasty
Copycat CPK California Club Pizza // Tried and Tasty
Yvonne, great blog! And thanks for this recipe – I love their BBQ pizza. I started making pizza just recently, I always thought it was too complicated to make the dough until realizing it’s just like bread. Now as for baking pizza – do you recommend getting a stone, or is sheet pan just as good?
Yvonne
Thanks so much Aida! This pizza is phenomenal! The dough on this is especially simple – I love it! You know, I like both. Sometimes I do the stone, sometimes the sheet pan. Really, the only thing I prefer the stone for mostly is pictures. Otherwise I don’t really love one over the other!
I’m really enjoying all of your copycat recipes! Can’t wait to try them!
Yvonne
Thank you so much Marion, I love copycatting recipes!
Yvonne this pizza looks amazing!!! Do you deliver? Hehe
Yvonne
Thanks Bobbi! Haha! Wouldn’t that be nice?! :)
This pizza looks phenomenal! Great copycat recipe!
Yvonne
Thank you so much Sheena!
I want this so bad! I love it. And the crust looks so simple. Have fun today at Pinner’s. I am hoping to make it for a bit! But will miss your class because that is right when my kids get out of school :(
Yvonne
The crust was SO simple!!! I couldn’t believe how quickly it came together. Pinners was great, hope you were able to make it out for a bit!
I am a pizza junkie so I am totally in love with your photos! This pizza sounds amazing and looks beautiful!
Yvonne
Thank you so much!!! It was just as delicious as it was beautiful :D
I haven’t been to a California Pizza Kitchen in forever! Of course, there are not any near me now that I live in a small town. ;) Love that I can find copy cat recipes like this so that I can still enjoy some of my favorites even though I don’t live in the big city anymore. Thank you for sharing!
Yvonne
I used to go there when I would go to concerts down in the ‘city’ I guess you could say. It’s the closest one to me and it’s not that close, so it’s nice to have the recipe that I can make at home!
This looks so fresh and delicious! I can always use more ideas for pizza!
Yvonne
Thanks! I can’t get enough pizza recipes, love them!
realfoodbydad
This is our favorite pizza from CPK so I can’t wait to try this!
Yvonne
Thanks Matt!! I absolutely loved it, it’s a fantastic recipe!