Cheesy BBQ Chicken Pizza Rolls

Cheesy BBQ Chicken Pizza Rolls are exactly what you want on a movie night or when game day rolls around. This gooey pull apart treat blends the smoky bite of BBQ sauce with soft homemade dough and cheesy chicken that will make you forget about regular pizza delivery. It is the kind of recipe that brings everyone to the kitchen when the aroma hits the air and you will love just how hands on and satisfying the process is.

The first time I baked these my husband said it was his new favorite because they remind him of a mashup between classic pizza night and backyard barbecue. Now my friends text me for the recipe every time I bring them to a potluck.

Ingredients

• All purpose flour: Gives the dough a tender crumb and structure choose a good quality unbleached flour for best texture
• Sugar: Helps activate the yeast and gives a touch of subtle sweetness always use granulated sugar for best results
• Salt: Enhances all the other flavors use fine sea salt or kosher salt for even distribution
• Instant yeast: Makes the dough rise quickly ensure it is fresh and not expired for proper rising
• Warm water: Activates the yeast use water that is warm but not too hot to avoid killing the yeast
• Olive oil: Adds moisture and richness go for extra virgin if available
• BBQ sauce: Delivers a sweet smoky punch pick your favorite brand or homemade for a personalized flavor
• Cooked and shredded chicken: Adds protein and heartiness leftover roasted or grilled chicken works beautifully
• Shredded mozzarella cheese: Melts into perfect gooeyness always shred your own if you can for the best melt
• Diced red onion: Brings a tangy crunch totally optional but adds great zip to the filling

Step-by-Step Instructions

Prepare the Dough:

Mix flour sugar salt and instant yeast in a large bowl. Add warm water and olive oil then stir with a spoon or clean hands until a shaggy dough forms. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for about five minutes until the dough is smooth supple and elastic. Let it rest uncovered for ten minutes so the gluten relaxes.

Roll Out Dough:

Transfer the rested dough to a floured surface and use a rolling pin to roll it into a fourteen by nine inch rectangle. Try to get the edges as even as possible. This will help the rolls come out uniform.

Add Filling:

Spread a generous layer of BBQ sauce over the dough leaving a small plain border along the edges so the filling doesn't spill out. Sprinkle the shredded chicken evenly on top then layer with shredded mozzarella and red onion if using. Press down lightly so everything sticks.

Roll and Cut:

Starting with the longer side roll the dough tightly into a log making sure the filling stays tucked inside. Pinch the seam gently to seal. Use a sharp knife or unflavored dental floss to slice the roll into twelve even pieces. Space them out on a parchment lined or greased baking dish spiral side up.

Let Rise:

Cover the baking dish with a clean towel or plastic wrap and let the rolls rise in a warm spot for thirty minutes. The rolls will puff up and fill out the pan for the perfect soft texture.

Bake:

Preheat the oven to three hundred seventy five degrees Fahrenheit or one hundred ninety degrees Celsius. When hot bake the rolls for twenty five minutes until they are golden brown on the edges and the cheese is bubbling.

Serve:

Let the rolls cool for five minutes so they set before serving. Serve warm with extra BBQ sauce for dunking.

Save it

My favorite ingredient is the sweet and smoky BBQ sauce because it balances all the flavors and reminds me of summer cookouts. Once my niece declared these were better than any restaurant pizza rolls after trying them at a family picnic and now the recipe is non negotiable for every birthday party.

Storage Tips

Leftovers keep well in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. For longer storage place cooled rolls in freezer bags and freeze for up to two months. Reheat frozen rolls in a low oven wrapped in foil to keep them soft or zap individual pieces in the microwave for quick snacking.

Ingredient Substitutions

If you do not have mozzarella try Monterey Jack or a blend of cheddar and provolone for extra richness. Rotisserie chicken is a real timesaver in this recipe and works just as well as home cooked. For a BBQ flavor twist use honey BBQ spicy BBQ or even a smoky chipotle blend. If you want to skip onions swap in some diced jalapenos or sliced green onions for a different flavor boost.

Serving Suggestions

Cheesy BBQ Chicken Pizza Rolls make a fantastic appetizer for parties or game day spreads. Serve alongside crisp coleslaw pickles or a simple side salad for balance. They also pack up beautifully for picnics or lunchboxes and are perfect for dipping into ranch sour cream or extra BBQ sauce.

Cultural and Historical Context

Pizza rolls have been around since the sixties as a fun American twist on Italian pizza and the concept has only grown with creative filling variations. This BBQ chicken version celebrates classic backyard barbecue flavors wrapped up in a soft pillowy homemade dough. It is comfort food that brings a little nostalgia and a lot of modern flavor to your table.

Save it

Whenever I make these pizza rolls I feel like the kitchen turns into the heart of our home. There is just something about the smell of fresh bread and BBQ filling the house that says comfort. This is a recipe that will bring together friends and family again and again.

Common Questions

→ Can I use store-bought dough instead of making it from scratch?

Yes, prepared pizza dough is a convenient substitute and saves time. Let it come to room temperature before using for easier handling.

→ What BBQ sauce works best?

Choose your favorite barbecue sauce, whether smoky, sweet, or spicy. Homemade or bottled both work well in this dish.

→ How do I keep the rolls from unrolling during baking?

Roll the dough tightly and place pieces close together in the baking dish so they support each other's shape as they rise and bake.

→ Is it possible to make these ahead of time?

The assembled rolls can be refrigerated before baking. Let them return to room temperature before transferring to the oven.

→ Are there alternative filling suggestions?

Try using cooked pulled pork, roasted vegetables, or different cheeses for a personalized flavor twist.