Barbecue Chicken Pizza

The Unexpected Joy of a Weeknight Pizza

As a busy businesswoman, my weeknights are usually a whirlwind of meetings, deadlines, and catching up on emails. Dinner often gets relegated to a sad desk salad or a hastily grabbed protein bar. But last night, I decided to break the cycle and embrace a little culinary adventure. I'd had a craving for barbecue chicken pizza all week, and finally, I decided to indulge. Now, I'm not a kitchen whiz by any stretch of the imagination. My culinary skills are more "microwave magician" than "gourmet chef." But there's something so inherently satisfying about creating a meal from scratch, even if it's as simple as assembling a pizza.

The process itself was surprisingly therapeutic. After a long day of staring at screens and navigating spreadsheets, the tactile experience of chopping vegetables, spreading sauce, and layering toppings was a welcome change. I opted for pre-made pizza dough (because let's be real, who has time to make dough on a weeknight?) and piled it high with grilled chicken, pineapple, red onion, bell peppers, jalapeños, bacon, and a generous blanket of mozzarella and cheddar cheese. The aroma that filled my kitchen as the pizza baked was pure heaven, a fragrant promise of the deliciousness to come. And the taste? Let's just say it was worth every calorie.

The crispy crust, the tangy barbecue sauce, the savory chicken and bacon, the sweet pineapple, and the spicy jalapeños – it was a symphony of flavors that danced on my taste buds. I even added a sprinkle of fresh cilantro at the end, a little touch of improvisation that elevated the pizza to a whole new level of deliciousness. It wasn't just a meal; it was an experience, a small act of self-care in the midst of a hectic week. As I savored each bite, I realized that sometimes, the simplest pleasures are the most rewarding. It wasn't just about the pizza; it was about carving out a moment of peace, a moment of creativity, a moment to nourish not just my body, but also my soul. And in that moment, the pressures of work, the deadlines, the endless to-do list – they all faded away, replaced by the simple satisfaction of a perfectly cooked, unexpectedly joyful weeknight pizza.

This little culinary adventure reminded me of the importance of taking breaks, of indulging in small pleasures, and of finding joy in the everyday moments. It doesn't have to be fancy or complicated; sometimes, a simple pizza is all it takes to recharge, reset, and remind yourself that even in the midst of chaos, there's always time for a little bit of deliciousness. And who knows, maybe this little foray into the world of pizza-making is the start of a new tradition, a weekly ritual of self-care disguised as a culinary creation. Because sometimes, the best way to conquer the week is with a slice of homemade happiness, hot from the oven and bursting with flavor.

Step-by-step

• Use whatever pizza dough you like, really. You can make your own, or buy dough (some pizzerias will sell theirs but don't advertise it), or you can use store bought. Obviously, it's not as good, but the great thing about it is it's QUICK.
• Follow the directions for the pizza crust you decide to use (popular brands include Boboli, Freschetta, and my preference, Pillsbury).
• C'mon, it's pizza, how hard is it to make? Top the crust with Barbecue sauce (you can also use a red marinara sauce, which is actually how Hideaway sells it, but I MUCH prefer BBQ), then all the meat and veggies and finally the cheese. Bake according to the directions on your particular dough.
• Now, when it comes out of the oven, I sprinkle on the chopped cilantro. This isn't how Hideaway serves it, but when I made this the first time, I was going solely from memory, and I could've sworn they did. Turns out I loved it! So, while not necessary, it's a really nice touch!