You only need four ingredients to make savory chicken crust pizza with BBQ toppings. Shredded chicken, parmesan cheese, eggs, and spices are all the makings of this low-carb pizza crust. It tastes just like regular, thin-crust pizza without the extra carbs!
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Chicken: I prefer using canned chicken as the base for the chicken crust pizza out of convenience. However, this recipe is an excellent way to use leftover shredded or cooked ground chicken.
- Parmesan: Include shredded parmesan cheese in the pizza crust mixture and use it as a topping.
- Egg: Bind the ingredients for the crust together using a large, fresh egg.
- Toppings: Finish the pizza with BBQ toppings such as tangy, low-carb BBQ sauce, crispy bacon bits, sliced red onion, chopped cilantro, and even more cheese.
Additions and Substitutions
- Replace regular BBQ sauce with other flavorful sauces like, ancho aioli, mustard BBQ sauce or BBQ aioli.
- Use shredded cheddar cheese or smoked gouda instead of shredded parmesan.
How to Make Chicken Crust Pizza
The full recipe with measurements is in the recipe card below.
Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350°F (176°C) and line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat. Spread the canned chicken onto the parchment paper and bake for 10 minutes.
Step 2: Remove the chicken from the oven and transfer it to a mixing bowl with the shredded parmesan cheese, egg, and garlic powder. Stir to combine.
Step 3: Increase the oven to 500°F (260°C). Line the baking sheet with a new parchment paper and spread the chicken mixture onto it using a rubber spatula in whatever shape you prefer.
Step 4: Place another sheet of parchment paper on top and roll the chicken mixture with a rolling pin to a ¼ inch. Discard the top layer of parchment paper and bake for 8 minutes.
Step 5: Remove the baking sheet from the oven and replace the parchment paper, carefully sliding the chicken crust onto it.
Top it with a thin layer of BBQ sauce, cheese, onion, and bacon bits. Return to the oven and bake for 8 minutes.
Step 6: Let the crust cool for 5 minutes, and top the pizza with fresh cilantro to serve.
Expert Tips
- While you can use a silicone mat to make this recipe, I recommend replacing the parchment paper between bakes since the pizza cooks at such high heat. Reusing the same one results in a scorched paper that’s hard to work with. Ask me how I know this.
Serving Suggestions
This low-carb chicken crust pizza combines shredded chicken, parmesan cheese, eggs, and garlic powder, but you can top the pizza with whatever you want. For another variation, try buffalo chicken crust pizza.
- Sauce: Alfredo Sauce, Pistachio Pesto, Sugo al Pomodoro
- Cheese: Mozzarella, Cheddar, Feta
- Toppings: Pepperoni, Turkey Bacon, Sausage, Ham, Mushrooms, Kalamata Olives, Artichoke, Pineapple, Jalapeño Peppers, Tomato Slices, Pickled Onions, Arugula, Sumac Onions
If you’re anything like me, ranch dressing and pizza go hand in hand, or you can make Polish sos czosnkowy.
What to do with the Leftovers
- Refrigerate – Store the leftovers in an airtight container for 3-4 days.
- Freeze – Let the crust cool completely, then wrap it in a layer of plastic wrap, followed by a layer of aluminum foil. Chicken crust pizza freezes for 2-3 months.
- Thaw – Defrost the chicken pizza in the fridge overnight.
- Reheat – Reheat leftovers in the oven at 400°F (204°C) for 5-10 minutes, depending on your oven range.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this pizza like?
Chicken crust pizza turns out warm and crispy – much like a thin-crust pizza. Since two of the main ingredients for the crust are chicken and eggs, the pizza is tasty and filling.
If you prefer a doughy pizza crust, try this fathead dough recipe.
What is chicken crust made of?
There are many ways to prepare homemade chicken crust. I keep the recipe simple, using only canned or shredded chicken, your favorite cheese (I prefer shredded parmesan), egg as a binder, and whatever seasonings you like. And for three slices of pizza, it’s only three net carbs!
What kind of chicken can you use for the crust?
• I use canned chicken out of convenience when I don’t feel like making and shredding chicken.
• Chicken breast is perfect for meal prep. Boil the chicken breasts in water or broth at the beginning of the week and leave them in an airtight container for salads, chicken spinach wraps, and chicken crust pizza.
• YYou can use ground chicken to make the crust but adjust the cooking process compared to canned or shredded chicken. Combine ground chicken, parmesan cheese, eggs, and spiced in a mixing bowl. Spread the mixture into a circle (or whatever shape you prefer) onto a rimmed baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a silicone mat. Bake the crust for 20-25 minutes in the oven preheated to 350°F (176°C). Then, follow the remaining instructions in the recipe card below starting with step 2.
More BBQ Recipes:
Chicken Crust Pizza
- Rimmed Baking Sheet or Baking Stone
- Rubber Spatula
- 2 cans (5-ounce) chicken breast, drained
- ¼ cup shredded parmesan
- 1 large egg
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ cup shredded parmesan or shredded mozzarella
- ¼ red onion, thinly sliced
- ⅓ cup bacon bits
- ¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (176°C) and line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat. Spread the canned chicken onto the parchment paper and bake for 10 minutes.
- Remove the chicken from the oven and transfer it to a mixing bowl with the shredded parmesan cheese, egg, and garlic powder. Stir to combine.
- Increase the oven to 500°F (260°C). Line the baking sheet with a new parchment paper and spread the chicken mixture onto it using a rubber spatula in whatever shape you prefer.
- Place another sheet of parchment paper on top and roll the chicken mixture with a rolling pin to a ¼ inch. Discard the top layer of parchment paper and bake for 8 minutes.
- Remove the baking sheet from the oven and replace the parchment paper, carefully sliding the chicken crust onto it. Top it with a thin layer of BBQ sauce, cheese, onion, and bacon bits. Return to the oven and bake for 8 minutes.
- Let the crust cool for 5 minutes, and top the pizza with fresh cilantro to serve.
- While you can use a silicone mat to make this recipe, I recommend replacing the parchment paper between bakes since the pizza cooks at such high heat. Reusing the same one results in a scorched paper that’s hard to work with. Ask me how I know this.
- The nutritional information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for professional advice.
Emily
Friday 26th of May 2023
I never thought I could enjoy pizza guilt-free until I tried this Chicken Crust Pizza. The shredded chicken crust is genius! It's packed with protein and tastes amazing. The BBQ twist adds a delightful tanginess. This recipe is a keeper!
Michael Anderson
Friday 26th of May 2023
Wow, this Chicken Crust Pizza recipe is a total game-changer! As someone who loves pizza but wants to watch my carb intake, this was the perfect solution. The combination of shredded chicken, parmesan cheese, eggs, and garlic powder created a crust that was not only flavorful but also packed with protein. The BBQ chicken topping added a delightful tanginess that complemented the crust perfectly. I couldn't believe how close it tasted to traditional thin-crust pizza! Thank you for sharing this fantastic recipe, it's definitely going to be a regular in my kitchen now.
Lori
Sunday 4th of September 2022
I did this crust but for the topping I made chicken bacon ranch pizza. The crust is perfect for diabetics like me. I used 1 can of chicken, bacon crumbled on top, ranch for the sauce and topped with mozzarella cheese. Yummy
Tressa Jamil
Monday 5th of September 2022
Oh my goodness! I love that you changed up the toppings and made it your own. Maybe Chicken Bacon Ranch needs to be the next recipe on the blog.
Lynne
Wednesday 10th of August 2022
My guests loved this chicken pizza crust! Thanks for sharing the recipe!
Tressa Jamil
Friday 12th of August 2022
Of course. I'm happy it was a hit!
Giangi
Thursday 4th of August 2022
I was mesmerized by using chicken for the crust, and I am so happy I did. WOW!!! Super delicious and so easy too. Thank you so much for creating this. Love it!
Tressa Jamil
Friday 5th of August 2022
Isn't it a fun way to eat such a classic dish? I am glad you enjoyed it.