Recipe Box: Cauliflower Crust BBQ Chicken Pizza

Recipe Box: Cauliflower Crust BBQ Chicken Pizza

The flavors of a good BBQ chicken pizza are a taste bud’s dream: The sweetness of the barbecue sauce, the saltiness of the chicken and cheese, and the kick of flavor from the red onion and cilantro… All of this results into a flavorful burst of pizza perfection. The only problem is that, as tasty and comforting as a doughy, carb-laden crust may be, it doesn’t always leave me feeling great afterwards. In fact, any time I’ve ordered restaurant pizza lately, it’s almost a guarantee that I’ll feel too full, thirsty from the sodium, and puffy afterwards (and I’m sure I’m not alone!). In the effort to find a satisfying recipe that wouldn’t leave me feeling so weighed down, I recently set out to recreate a gluten-free version of this classic dish. Enter: the miraculous cauliflower crust.

cauliflower crust BBQ chicken pizza recipe via laurenconrad.com

Who knew that making a pizza crust out of cauliflower, egg and cheese would be such a seamless substitute for the doughy alternative?! Not only is this crust recipe delicious and low-carb, but it also gives you a nice serving of veggies and fiber that you wouldn’t get with a traditional pizza.

Below is my recipe for a killer cauliflower crust BBQ chicken pizza. I guarantee you’ll make it again and again!

Cauliflower Crust BBQ Chicken Pizza

Makes 1 pizza

cauliflower crust BBQ chicken pizza via laurenconrad.com

Ingredients:

For the cauliflower crust: 

  • 1 medium head of cauliflower, riced in a food processor (or, one bag of cauliflower rice)
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1 egg, beaten
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • ½ teaspoon crushed garlic
  • ½ teaspoon garlic salt
  • olive oil (optional)

For the toppings:

  • ½ medium red onion, thinly sliced
  • 1 chicken breast
  • barbecue sauce
  • 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, torn
  • ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1 tablespoon grated parmesan cheese
homemade cauliflower crust BBQ chicken pizza recipe

Instructions:

For the cauliflower crust: 

1. If you don’t have pre-riced cauliflower, rice your florets in a food processor. Then, place in a microwave-safe bowl and microwave on high for 8 minutes until cooked.

2. Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Spray a cookie sheet with non-stick cooking spray or line with parchment paper.

3. In a medium bowl, stir together 1 cup cauliflower, egg and mozzarella. Add oregano, crushed garlic and garlic salt, stir.

4. Transfer to the cookie sheet, and using your hands, pat out into a 9″ round. Optional: Brush olive oil over top of mixture to help with browning.

5. Bake at 450 degrees for 10 to 15 minutes, or until a light golden brown. Remove from oven.

cauliflower crust BBQ chicken pizza recipe via laurenconrad.com

For the toppings:

1. Bake your chicken breast in the oven ahead of time at 400 degrees for 10-15 minutes. One cooked throughout, remove, let cook, then shred chicken with a fork. Toss in barbecue sauce until evenly coated.

2. Thinly slice ½ red onion and tear off cilantro leaves.

3. Spread 1 tbsp of barbecue sauce on cauliflower pizza crust, leaving about ½ inch without sauce around the edge for the crust.

4. Top with mozzarella, shredded chicken, red onion and cilantro, then pop back into the oven for 10-15 minutes, or until cheese has melted.

5. Remove from oven, sprinkle a bit of grated parmesan cheese on top (optional), then slice and enjoy!

cauliflower crust BBQ chicken pizza recipe via laurenconrad.com

One of the best things about this recipe is that the crust is really a canvas for any pizza flavor you’d like to try…

What toppings will you put on your cauliflower crust pizza?

xx
Allison
Team LC

Photos: Jessi Burrone for LaurenConrad.com

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