This California Pizza Kitchen Inspired Loaded BBQ Chicken is what happens when your favorite BBQ chicken pizza skips the crust and goes straight for the protein. Juicy grilled chicken thighs get loaded with melty cheddar, ranch, red onion, cilantro, and scallions for an easy summer dinner that feels nostalgic and totally crave-worthy.
Why You'll Love It
If you grew up ordering BBQ Chicken Pizza at California Pizza Kitchen, then this recipe is about to hit you right in the childhood memories. It has all the flavors you love from that iconic pizza, but swaps the crust for juicy grilled chicken thighs.
The BBQ chicken gets caramelized on the grill, then topped with a generous layer of Land O Lakes® Extra Sharp White Cheddar Cheese. As the cheese melts over the smoky chicken, it creates the perfect savory base for all those classic toppings.
The ranch dressing adds a cool and creamy finish while the red onion brings crunch and bite. Because what's pizza without ranch!? Fresh cilantro and scallions brighten everything up and make the whole platter feel fresh and summery.
It's a great option when you want something easy for a weeknight dinner but impressive enough for a backyard cookout. Since the BBQ chicken thighs can be prepped ahead of time, all that's left is melting the cheese and adding the toppings.
If you're looking for a high-protein dinner that tastes like your favorite 90s pizza order, this one's for you!
Ingredients & Substitutions
You only need a handful of ingredients to transform grilled chicken into a loaded BBQ masterpiece. Most of these are easy to swap based on what you already have in the fridge.
- BBQ Grilled Chicken Thighs: The smoky, juicy foundation of this recipe. You can substitute grilled chicken breasts if preferred.
- Land O Lakes® Extra Sharp White Cheddar Cheese: Adds a rich, creamy, and sharp cheesy layer. Sharp yellow cheddar or Co-Jack® or Gouda would also work well.
- Ranch Dressing: Brings cool and creamy flavor. Greek yogurt ranch or homemade ranch are great alternatives.
- Red Onion: Adds crunch and sharpness. Pickled red onions are delicious here, too.
- Fresh Cilantro: Brightens the dish with fresh flavor. Substitute parsley if you're not a cilantro fan.
- Scallions: Add mild onion flavor and freshness. Chives work well as a substitute.
- Flaky Salt: A finishing touch that helps all the flavors pop. Kosher salt can be used if needed.
How to Make It
This recipe comes together quickly once the chicken is grilled. The finishing touches take just a few minutes and make all the difference.
- Grill the BBQ Chicken: Prepare the BBQ Grilled Chicken Thighs according to the recipe instructions. Marinate, grill, and baste until the chicken is cooked through and beautifully caramelized.
- Melt the Cheese: During the last few minutes of cooking, generously top each chicken thigh with shredded Land O Lakes® Extra Sharp White Cheddar Cheese. Reduce the heat to low and close the grill lid. Cook for 3 to 5 minutes, or until the cheese is fully melted and bubbly.
- Load It Up: Transfer the cheesy BBQ chicken to a serving platter. Drizzle with ranch dressing and top with the sliced red onion, cilantro, and scallions.
- Finish and Serve: Sprinkle with flaky salt and serve immediately while everything is warm and melty.
- SERVE: Pair with grilled corn, pasta salad, baked beans, or a simple green salad.
- SAVE: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat gently before serving.
What to Pair It With
This loaded BBQ chicken works beautifully alongside classic summer cookout sides. The smoky chicken and creamy ranch pair especially well with fresh and crunchy dishes.
Try serving it with grilled street corn cups, macaroni salad, watermelon salad, baked beans, potato wedges, or a crisp Caesar salad or even this similar BBQ Chicken Salad. If you're feeding a crowd, add some garlic bread and call it dinner!
And if those sound good, check out these related recipes:
Recipe
California Pizza Kitchen Inspired Loaded BBQ Chicken
Ingredients
- 1 recipe BBQ Chicken Thighs
- 1 8 oz block Land O Lakes® Extra Sharp White Cheddar Cheese, shredded
- 2 tablespoon ranch dressing
- ¼ small red onion very thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoon fresh cilantro roughly chopped
- 2 tablespoon scallions thinly sliced
- 1 pinch Flaky salt for finishing
Instructions
- Prepare the BBQ Grilled Chicken Thighs according to the recipe instructions. Marinate, grill, and baste until the chicken is cooked through and beautifully caramelized.
- During the last few minutes of cooking, generously top each chicken thigh with shredded Land O Lakes® Extra Sharp White Cheddar Cheese.
- Reduce the heat to low and close the grill lid. Cook for 3 to 5 minutes, or until the cheese is completely melted.
- Transfer the cheesy BBQ chicken to a serving platter.
- Drizzle with ranch dressing.
- Scatter the red onion, cilantro, and scallions over the top.
- Finish with a pinch of flaky salt and serve immediately.
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