BBQ Chicken Cauliflower Crusted Pizza

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Do you have any idea how much I don’t like cauliflower?  Probably not, but I’m just not a fan.  I think it’s bland and the smell alone when it’s cooking is hard for me to stomach.  That said, when I learned I could make a pizza crust using cauliflower rather than a high carb and gluten pizza dough crust I decided I had to give it a shot. 

My first attempt was with this Cauliflower Crusted Cheese Pizza,

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and now with a BBQ Chicken Cauliflower Crusted Pizza.  In fact, I like this version so much I shared it with a group of cancer survivors and now they’re fans too!

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As I mentioned before, this non-starchy vegetable is a cruciferous vegetable like cabbage and broccoli. High intake of cruciferous vegetables is associated with a lower risk of some cancers. They contain vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients, or plant nutrients, that may help neutralize damaging toxins.  Next to broccoli, cauliflower contains the second highest level of glucosinolates which activates the body’s detoxification system, and may play a role in preventing various types of cancers.  In addition, cauliflower is low in calories, high in Potassium, and Vitamin C.

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There are several steps to creating this pizza and all are quite simple.  You will need a food processor to pulse the cauliflower.  However, I’ve been told that Trade Joe’s has packages of Cauliflower Rice that is ready to go.  I’ve never used it so I can’t say it works the same.  I would however, be sure to squeeze any liquid out of the cauliflower as described in the directions below to insure the majority of the liquid is extracted. Of course, if you can pulse the cauliflower yourself, fresh is always best!!!

Here’s my recipe, I hope you’ll try it – it’s so good! I can honestly say, I like cauliflower when it’s in pizza.

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BBQ Chicken Cauliflower Crusted Pizza

Ingredients:

BBQ Chicken

  • 1 cup chicken, cooked and shredded
  • 1/2 cup barbecue sauce
  • ¾ - 1 cup mozzarella, shredded
  • 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced
  • 2 tablespoons cilantro, torn

Cauliflower Pizza Crust

  • 1 head cauliflower, (stem removed)chopped
  • 1 cup grated Parmesan
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • Freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 egg

Directions:

  1. Place a pizza stone in the oven or use a pizza pan; preheat to 475 degrees F.
  2. Add the cauliflower to a food processor; pulse until finely ground, about the consistency of couscous. Pour the cauliflower onto a clean kitchen towel (I used a flour sack towel) and squeeze out as much liquid as possible.
  3. To a large bowl, add the cauliflower, Parmesan, Italian seasoning, garlic, salt, some black pepper and the egg. Mix until the mixture holds together when pinched.
  4. Line a pizza peel, pizza pan or baking sheet with parchment paper; liberally brush with olive oil (I used non-stick spray). Spread the cauliflower mixture into a 12-inch-wide circle on the parchment. Slide the parchment onto the preheated pizza stone or baking sheet. Bake until the cauliflower crust is barely golden and darker at the edges, about 15 minutes.
  5. Remove the crust (or pizza pan) from the oven. Mix the chicken and barbecue sauce, top the pizza with the chicken, mozzarella and red onion and bake until the cheese is bubbling, about 10-15 minutes.
  6. Scatter cilantro over the top. Slice and serve.

 

Enjoy!!!

 

Notes:

  • Add roasted veggies, or any toppings you prefer.  Top with chiffonade of basil.
  • If using a sauce, adding the cheese on the cooked crust first helps to keep the cauliflower crust from getting soggy.   Allow to cool slightly for easy pick-up.

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21 comments

  1. Yum, looks delish! What a wonderful gluten free substitute for pizza crust! 

  2. This looks amazing!!! I’ve been eating more low carb these days and I know I’d love this pizza!!! Pinning!!

    • It is so good and outside of the cheese it feels like a gulit-free pizza besides already being gluten-free. It tastes delicious! My husband who isn’t an adventurous eater liked it and kept going back for more.

  3. wow lots of CHEESE!!! I am a fan of cauliflowers, so this is definitely my kind of healthy comforting meal.

    • You can put as much or as little cheese on it as you want. That said, you do need that to help bind the cauliflower together to make the crust. I’m not sure how some of the vegan products would work, you’d know that better than me, I think.

  4. I’ve always wanted to try this!  Thank you for this terrific recipe and gorgeous pizza.  Yummy!

  5. This is making me hungry! I love BBQ pizza:)

  6. Didn’t like cauliflower when I was a kid, but now I love it roasted or maybe in a saute with loads of garlic and olive oil. Haven’t tried it as a pizza crust — really neat idea. Thanks!

  7. Great recipe Vicki,

    It looks delicious and easy to make.

    I think they will taste great too.

    I am going to try to cook it on Sunday for my family.

    Thank You!

    • Kendrick it’s very easy. Just don’t forget to squeeze out the cauliflower. I’d love to hear what they think of it after trying it. Everyone I’ve made it for can’t tell that it’s cauliflower. 

  8. How many calories would you say per slice?

    • I’m sorry I’m not certain. Eventually I’ll have a caloric count put on my site but for now I don’t. The biggest bulk of calories will be from the cheese so choose wisely if you are looking for lower fat and calories.

  9. Delicious! I did pat the crust dry with paper towels before cooking. I also added a sprinkle of cheese before the shredded chicken..make sure not to have too much sauce. My chicken cooked in the bbq amd onion and then I added it.

    • I’m glad you enjoyed it Angela. If you squeeze the cauliflower well in a towel most of the moisture should come out but I know that can sometimes be challenging. Thank you for sharing with me and my readers what you did as well. It’s always helpful to hear what others have tried. Thank you for stopping by and for your reply.

    • I did squeeze it dry, but I feel the egg added moisture. I also added a little cornstarch thinking it would help dry it out?

  10. Gorgeous pizza! The flavors sound really fantastic!

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