The Ultimate BBQ Popcorn Chicken Individual Pizzas: Your Perfect Comfort Food Escape
There are some culinary creations that linger in your memory, haunting your dreams with their deliciousness. For me, these BBQ Popcorn Chicken Individual Pizzas are definitely one of them. Each bite is a symphony of flavors and textures, making it an unforgettable meal that truly satisfies the soul and leaves a lasting impression.
As much as I yearn for the consistent warmth of spring, especially after a surprise snowstorm like the one that recently swept through Denver, the reality of unpredictable weather can often leave us craving something truly comforting. “April showers bring May flowers,” they say, but when those showers turn into unexpected snowflakes, it’s hard not to long for a different kind of warmth – the kind that comes from a hearty, homemade meal. While my mind drifts to bright neon colors and upbeat summer tunes, my body remains bundled in heavy coats, patiently willing warmer temperatures to arrive. It’s during these transitional, often chilly, periods that the call for satisfying, soul-warming comfort food becomes utterly irresistible.
This isn’t just any pizza; it’s a culinary hug that promises to brighten even the greyest day. Imagine sinking your teeth into a perfectly baked individual pizza, each one a canvas for an incredible blend of savory, tangy, and creamy flavors. These delightful creations combine crispy, golden popcorn chicken, a rich and smoky BBQ sauce, sharp and pungent blue cheese crumbles, and a cooling drizzle of ranch dressing, all atop a tender, perfectly chewy homemade crust. It’s the kind of dish that makes you forget about the weather outside and focuses entirely on the deliciousness right in front of you. This recipe promises not just a meal, but an experience – a moment of pure, unadulterated comfort and culinary joy.
And what better way to savor such a dish than during a cozy weekend in? Whether you’re settling in for a marathon session of your favorite fantasy saga, hosting a casual game night with friends, or simply enjoying some quiet, reflective time, these individual BBQ chicken pizzas are the ultimate companion. Their personal size makes them incredibly easy to handle and perfectly portioned, ensuring everyone gets to enjoy their own little slice of heaven without any fuss. The harmonious combination of warm, cheesy goodness paired with your beverage of choice – perhaps a crisp, refreshing beer or a tart cider if you prefer – elevates the entire experience to one of pure bliss. There’s something inherently satisfying about a meal that is both indulgent and approachable, making it ideal for unwinding and treating yourself to a truly memorable feast.
The true genius of these pizzas lies in their unique and thoughtfully balanced topping combination. The undisputed star of the show is the BBQ popcorn chicken, which contributes a fantastic crunch and a smoky, sweet kick that elevates the entire dish. This isn’t just plain chicken; it’s marinated in tangy buttermilk, coated in a perfectly seasoned flour mixture, and fried to golden perfection. This meticulous process creates tender, juicy chicken pieces with an irresistible crispy exterior that stands up beautifully to the other bold flavors. Layered over a base of tangy BBQ sauce, the chicken provides a robust and flavorful foundation for the other elements. The sharpness of blue cheese crumbles cuts through the richness, adding a sophisticated tang that complements the sweet and smoky BBQ flavors with exquisite precision. Finally, a generous drizzle of creamy ranch dressing ties everything together, adding a cool, herbaceous counterpoint that makes each bite utterly harmonious and utterly addictive. You truly understand what I’m describing the moment you lay eyes on these mouth-watering pizzas!
Absolutely gorgeous, aren’t they? The vibrant colors of the thinly sliced red onions and green bell peppers not only add significant visual appeal but also introduce a fresh, crisp texture that contrasts wonderfully with the soft dough and succulent chicken. Every single component of these pizzas is carefully selected to contribute to a balanced and exciting flavor profile, ensuring a dynamic eating experience with every bite. This isn’t just a simple recipe; it’s a true celebration of comfort food, reinvented with a gourmet twist that makes it suitable for any occasion, from a casual weeknight dinner to a special gathering. Get ready to embark on a culinary adventure that will leave you dreaming of these individual BBQ Popcorn Chicken Pizzas long after the last delicious slice is savored.
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BBQ Popcorn Chicken Individual Pizzas
ingredients
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1⅔ cups water room temperature
- 1¼ tsp table salt
- 1½ tsp instant or rapid-rise yeast
- 1¼ tsp sugar
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp kosher salt
- 2 skinless chicken breasts cut into 1 inch chunks
- 3/4 cup buttermilk
- 2 tsp kosher salt
- 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- Canola Oil for frying
- 1/2 cup BBQ sauce
- 1 red onion cut into thin strips
- 1 green bell pepper cut into thin strips
- 1 cup blue cheese crumbles
- 1/3 cup ranch dressing
- 1 Tbsp milk
instructions
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Using a stand mixer fitted with dough hook, mix flour, water, and table salt together on low-speed until no area of dry flour remains, 3-4 min. Turn off mixer and let dough rest for 20 min.
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Sprinkle yeast and sugar over dough. Knead on low-speed until fully combined, 1-2 min. Increase mixer speed to high and knead until the dough is glossy and smooth and pulls away from the sides of the bowl, 6-10 min.
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Using fingers, coat large bowl with 1 tbsp olive oil. Transfer dough to prepared bowl and pour 1 tbsp oil over the top. Flip dough over once so that it is well coated with oil. Cover bowl tightly with plastic wrap and let dough rise at room temperature until nearly tripled in volume and large bubbles have formed, 2-2½ hrs. One hour before baking, preheat oven to 450 degrees and place pizza stone on the middle rack.
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While the dough is rising, add the chunks of chicken breast to a small bowl. Add buttermilk and 1 tsp of salt to the bowl and mix well with the chicken. Cover with plastic wrap and let chill in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour.
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Once the dough has risen, turn dough out onto prepared surface along with an oil in the bowl. Separate dough into four balls. Roll or press dough into flattened circles and create a dent in the center of each (this will help keep the egg in place. Let the dough relax for 5-10 minutes. Using dinner fork, poke surface of each ball of dough a few times and sprinkle with kosher salt. Bake in oven until slightly golden, about 5 minutes.
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Note if you are working with one pizza stone you will find that you need to bake the crusts in batches of two at a time.
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While the crusts are baking, add red onion and green bell peppers to a dry sauté pan. Cook over medium heat for about 4-5 minutes until the veggies are cooked through and a little browned.
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Remove crusts from oven and add the blue cheese crumbles to evenly between each crust. Bake for an additional 5 minutes. Remove from oven and keep warm on the pizza stone.
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Next prepare the chicken. Combine flour, baking powder, cayenne pepper, onion powder, and pepper is a large sealable bag. Seal and shake the bag well to combine the dry ingredients. Using a slotted spoon, drain the chicken pieces over the bowl and then add to the bag with the flour mixture. Once all the chicken has been added to the bag, seal the bag and shake well until all of the chicken pieces are covered with the mixture.
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In a medium heavy saucepan, heat approximately 5 inches of canola oil over medium heat until the oil reaches 350 degrees. Add the chicken pieces, frying about 5 at a time, for about 4-5 minutes until the chicken is golden brown. You may want to cut a piece open to make sure there is no pink inside or you can test the chicken with a thermometer, making sure it reaches at least 165 degrees. Drain on a pan lined with paper towels. Once all the chicken is fried, add to a small bowl with the BBQ sauce. Mix until all the chicken has a good coating of sauce.
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Add the chicken evenly across the pizza crusts, and do the same with the peppers and onions. Combine the ranch dressing and milk in a small bowl. Stir to combine (this will give you a nice, loose dressing that is easier to work with). Drizzle the ranch sauce over the pizzas. Enjoy!
Crafting the Perfect Pizza Dough: A Foundation of Flavor
While pre-made crusts offer undeniable convenience, there’s an unparalleled satisfaction and a distinctly superior taste that comes from homemade pizza dough. This recipe begins with a simple yet incredibly effective dough that provides the perfect airy and chewy base for your individual BBQ chicken pizzas. The process starts by combining all-purpose flour, water, and table salt in a stand mixer, allowing the ingredients to hydrate and form a cohesive mass. This initial rest period, often referred to as an autolyse, is a crucial step for naturally developing the gluten, which results in a more elastic and significantly easier-to-handle dough. It’s a small but impactful detail that makes a profound difference in the final texture of your crust, ensuring it’s both tender and sturdy enough to hold all those delicious toppings.
After the initial rest, the instant yeast and sugar are introduced, igniting the fermentation process that gives pizza dough its characteristic rise and flavor. Kneading the dough at increasing speeds helps to fully develop its gluten structure, transforming a somewhat shaggy mixture into a glossy, smooth, and wonderfully pliable dough that effortlessly pulls away from the sides of the bowl. This vigorous kneading is absolutely essential for achieving that classic pizza crust chewiness that everyone loves. Once thoroughly kneaded, the dough is gently coated in olive oil and allowed to rise in a warm, draft-free environment. This extended rise time, typically 2 to 2½ hours, is where the magic truly happens. The yeast actively ferments, producing carbon dioxide that creates countless tiny air pockets, causing the dough to nearly triple in volume and form large, airy bubbles. This slow fermentation process also contributes significantly to a richer, more complex flavor in the finished crust. Patience is truly key during this stage, as a properly risen dough is the secret to achieving a light, flavorful, and structurally sound individual pizza.
The Star Topping: Crispy Buttermilk Popcorn Chicken
The inclusion of “popcorn chicken” is what truly elevates these individual pizzas and sets them apart from typical BBQ chicken pizza recipes. Instead of using plain grilled or shredded chicken, you’re creating succulent, bite-sized pieces with an incredible, irresistible crunch that stands up beautifully to the other bold flavors on the pizza. The preparation begins by marinating chicken breast chunks in buttermilk and a generous amount of kosher salt. Buttermilk is a secret weapon in this recipe; its inherent acidity tenderizes the chicken, while simultaneously helping the seasoned flour coating adhere perfectly. This results in an exceptionally juicy and flavorful interior, encased in a remarkably crispy shell. This marinade should ideally chill in the refrigerator for at least an hour, allowing ample time for the flavors to deeply meld and the chicken to tenderize optimally.
Next, a carefully balanced blend of all-purpose flour, baking powder, a hint of cayenne pepper for warmth, savory onion powder, and pungent black pepper creates the flavorful and supremely crispy coating. The baking powder plays a crucial role, contributing to the lightness and superior crispness of the fried chicken, while the carefully selected spices infuse a wonderful warmth and a subtle, delightful kick. Thoroughly dredging the chicken pieces in this mixture, ensuring each piece is fully and evenly coated, is vital for achieving maximum crunch and flavor adhesion. The chicken is then shallow-fried in hot canola oil until it reaches a beautiful golden brown and is thoroughly cooked through. Achieving and maintaining the correct oil temperature (around 350°F / 175°C) is paramount for ensuring optimal crispiness without the chicken becoming greasy or overcooked. Frying in small batches is also important as it prevents the oil temperature from dropping too significantly, which ensures each piece cooks evenly and maintains its crisp texture. After frying, the chicken is immediately tossed in your favorite BBQ sauce, coating every crispy morsel with that irresistible smoky and sweet glaze, transforming it into the perfect hero topping for your delectable pizza.
Assembling Your Flavorful Masterpiece
With the homemade pizza dough perfectly risen and the tantalizing popcorn chicken expertly prepared, it’s time to bring your individual pizzas to life. First, gently turn the risen dough out onto a lightly floured surface and divide it into four equal balls. These dough balls are then either rolled or pressed into flattened circles, forming the ideal base for your personal pizzas. A slight dent created in the center of each crust helps to contain the toppings and prevents them from spilling over during baking. Pre-baking the crusts for approximately 5 minutes until they are lightly golden ensures a firm base that will not become soggy under the weight of the delicious toppings. This initial bake is particularly important for individual pizzas, allowing them to crisp up perfectly and achieve that desirable texture. If you happen to be working with a single pizza stone or baking steel, remember that you will need to bake the crusts in batches to maintain even heat distribution and ensure optimal crispiness across all pizzas.
While the crusts are getting their initial bake, quickly sauté the thinly sliced red onion and vibrant green bell peppers in a dry pan until they become tender and acquire a beautiful, slight caramelization. This step softens the vegetables, enhancing their natural sweetness and adding another crucial layer of flavor and texture to the pizza. Once the crusts are pre-baked and removed from the oven, they are ready for their first layer of delightful blue cheese crumbles. These crumbles melt beautifully into the warm crust, creating a tangy and savory foundation that perfectly complements the other toppings. After a quick return to the oven to fully melt the cheese, the pizzas are removed again and kept warm on the pizza stone. Finally, the BBQ-coated popcorn chicken, along with the sautéed peppers and onions, are evenly distributed across each individual pizza. To complete this mouth-watering creation, a quick mix of creamy ranch dressing and a splash of milk creates a pourable, delectable sauce to drizzle generously over each pizza. The creamy ranch beautifully balances the spicy chicken and tangy blue cheese, resulting in a harmonious and utterly delicious individual pizza experience that is sure to impress. Get ready to enjoy the incredible fruits of your labor!
Tips for Perfection and Creative Variations
To truly elevate your BBQ Popcorn Chicken Individual Pizzas to gourmet status, consider incorporating a few additional tips that will ensure perfection every time. For the absolute crispiest crust, always preheat your pizza stone or heavy baking steel thoroughly in a hot oven for at least an hour before you even begin baking. This process mimics the intense, even heat of a traditional brick oven, ensuring a perfectly browned and audibly crunchy bottom crust. It’s crucial not to overcrowd your pizza; while it’s tempting to load on all the delicious toppings, a lighter hand ensures even cooking and prevents the crust from becoming soggy. When frying the chicken, diligently maintain a consistent oil temperature using a reliable thermometer to avoid both greasy chicken and undercooked results. And remember, using freshly shredded cheese always melts better and tastes significantly superior to its pre-shredded counterparts, as the latter often contain anti-caking agents.
Feeling adventurous and want to customize your culinary creation? These pizzas are incredibly adaptable to various tastes and preferences! For an extra kick of heat, consider adding a sprinkle of red pepper flakes or some thinly sliced jalapeños before the final bake. If you prefer a deeper, more pronounced smoky depth, a dash of liquid smoke mixed into your favorite BBQ sauce can work wonders. Experiment with different types of cheese – a classic mix of mozzarella and cheddar could offer a milder, more familiar pizza flavor, while the addition of smoked gouda could introduce an intriguing and sophisticated twist. You could also try making a grilled chicken version for a lighter alternative to the fried popcorn chicken, or even experiment with different types of barbecue sauce, from sweet and sticky to spicy and vinegary. Don’t be afraid to customize the veggies either; adding sweet corn kernels, tender black beans, or even some fresh cilantro sprinkled on top after baking can add new dimensions of flavor and freshness. These individual BBQ Popcorn Chicken Pizzas are fantastic for a casual dinner party, a fun and engaging family cooking project, or simply a well-deserved treat for yourself after a long and busy week. Embrace the creative process and savor every delightful bite of these incredible, customizable, and utterly satisfying individual BBQ chicken pizzas!