I like pizza, my wife likes pizza and my boys like pizza, which means we eat pizza at least once a week. My oldest son declared about a month ago that Friday night is pizza night. That holds true most weeks, but sometimes we make it over the weekend. Yes I just said make it. You’re probably thinking to yourself… I don’t have time for that. Try it though, and you’ll be hooked.

You see, when you make it yourself, you control what goes into it. (The chains don’t seem to care)

Tonight I made a BBQ chicken pizza for my wife and I, and a pepperoni pan pizza for the boys (sorry I forget to get a photo of that one). I started with the same dough recipe but baked them differently. Here are the recipes:

Start with homemade Pizza Dough Quick (You could always pick up some dough from the Publix bakery and let it rise, but this is easy):

• 2 1/2 teaspoons rapid rise yeast (1 packet)
• 1 cup warm water
• 2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons honey
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons olive oil

I made the two recipes below from one crust recipe. For a really thick crust, just make one pizza out of the homemade dough recipe.

Crust Directions for hand tossed / thin crust flavor:

• In a large bowl, combine water with honey and then add yeast and stir until the yeast is dissolved (stir lightly).
• Add in flour, salt, and olive oil and use a wooden spoon to combine.
• Once the ingredients are well combined with the spoon, use your hands to knead the dough for a few minutes.
• Form the dough into a ball, and let it rest for 10 minutes.
• Pre-heat your oven to 450 degrees and spray a 16 inch pizza pan with non-stick cooking spray (or use pizza stone)
• Roll the dough out into a 16 inch circle. Roll the edges of the dough.
• Combine 2 tablespoons olive oil with Italian seasoning and brush the entire crust with this mixture.
• Place the crust in the oven for 8 minutes.
• Remove from the oven and add sauce, cheese, and toppings.
• Return the pizza to the oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the crust is crispy and the cheese is melted.
• Cut into slices and enjoy!

BBQ Chicken Pizza Ingredients / Toppings:

• 1/2 pound chicken cutlets. Brush a little bbq sauce on them (I used Trader Joe’s) and broil for ten minutes total (or less, just keep an eye on them). Once done, wrap up in foil to let the juices settle in. Then chop into chunks.
• 1 cup mozzarella cheese.
• 3/4 cup cheddar cheese.
• BBQ Sauce (I used Trader Joe’s).
• 1/4 cup sliced red onions.
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro.

For a Pan Pizza:

• Use a 9×13 inch metal baking pan and grease it with olive or canola oil.
• After letting your dough rise, press it out into the pan. If needed, let it rest for a few minutes, then continue to press out to the edges, being careful not to tear or create holes in the crust.
• Let sit in the pan for 10 minutes, then brush a little olive oil mixture onto it.
• Place in the oven for 8 minutes.
• Remove from the oven and add sauce (I used Muir Glen brand in the can), cheese, and toppings (my boys only eat pepperoni pizza).
• Return the pizza to the oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the crust is crispy and the cheese is melted.
• Cut into slices and enjoy! (You won’t need Pizza Hut again!)