1. Home
  2. Dishes
  3. Fun family fusion meal

Oven Baked BBQ Tacos

Category: Our Most-Loved Recipes

Cook chicken with BBQ sauce and garlic. Add cheese, BBQ chicken, and veggies into taco shells. Top with more cheese. Bake at 400°F for 15 minutes, then enjoy with your fave toppings.
Pin It Share Share via Email Print Jump to Recipe
Rose
By Sophie Parker Sophie Parker
Updated on Fri, 18 Apr 2025 12:27:40 GMT
Oven Baked BBQ Tacos Save
Oven Baked BBQ Tacos | tastybysophie.com

BBQ chicken pizza tacos combine two beloved comfort foods into one incredibly tasty handheld treat. The zesty BBQ chicken fits perfectly inside crunchy taco shells with gooey cheese and classic pizza fixings, creating an irresistible mix that'll have you wondering why this wasn't already a thing.

I threw these together last week when I couldn't pick between pizza night and taco Tuesday. My hubby walked in, saw what was happening and actually blurted out "you're brilliant" - trust me, that's rare! The kids ate everything without a single whine, which is basically a miracle around here.

Magical Ingredient Mix

  • Rigid taco shells make the ideal crunchy holder for all those pizza toppings - grab the kind that stand up on their own
  • BBQ sauce delivers that sweet-zingy flavor that makes BBQ chicken pizza so crave-worthy - I go for ones with smoky undertones
  • Pulled chicken drinks up all those tasty sauces - grabbing a supermarket rotisserie bird makes this super easy
  • Mozzarella brings that stretchy, gooey pull we all crave - shred it yourself for better melting
  • Red onions cut through the richness with just enough punch - go super thin so they'll get tender
Oven Baked BBQ Chicken Pizza Tacos Recipe Save
Oven Baked BBQ Chicken Pizza Tacos Recipe | tastybysophie.com

Simple Cooking Steps

Chicken Prep Magic

Mix your pulled chicken with just enough BBQ sauce to coat each piece nicely. You want everything covered but not drowning. I usually go slow with the sauce and add more as I go - you can always pour in extra.

Clever Shell Trick

Arrange your taco shells on a baking tray so they're standing tall. This part matters! Before anything else goes in, drop a good layer of cheese right into the bottom of each shell. This isn't just yummy - it melts into a barrier that keeps everything crispy. Found this out by mistake and now I always do it.

Stuffing Fun

Scoop that BBQ chicken mix into each shell, but don't go overboard. Keep some space at the top for your other goodies. Pack it down gently or you might break your shells.

Add Your Extras

Add your favorite pizza stuff - I always throw on skinny slices of red onion and sometimes toss in peppers or mushrooms if they're in my fridge. Top everything with another big handful of mozzarella. The cheese on top bubbles up and turns golden while keeping everything together.

Bake To Perfection

Pop the whole tray into your hot oven and let it do its thing. The cheese gets all melty, the shells get extra crunchy around the edges, and everything comes together beautifully. Watch them near the end - once the cheese starts getting little brown spots, they're done.

I've made these countless times, but my top version uses a bourbon BBQ sauce my sister's husband makes himself. There's something about the sweetness and those tiny vanilla hints from the bourbon that works perfectly with the chicken. Whenever he visits from down south, I beg him to bring a jar just for making these tacos.

Great Side Dishes

These filling tacos stand alone just fine, but a basic green salad with tangy dressing helps balance the richness. During summer, I serve them with buttery corn on the cob sprinkled with chili powder. In fall and winter, cinnamon-dusted roasted sweet potato chunks really complement the BBQ flavors. Sometimes I just whip up some quick-pickled red cabbage for a bright, snappy contrast.

Tasty Variations

Try using alfredo instead of BBQ sauce and throw in some spinach for a white pizza version that'll surprise you. My plant-eating sister loves these with BBQ-coated roasted cauliflower instead of chicken. For a buffalo twist, use buffalo sauce instead of BBQ and switch to blue cheese crumbles. My kid's football team wiped out three batches after winning their big game.

Storage Tricks

If you somehow don't finish them all, store them carefully for up to two days in your fridge. Don't microwave them unless you like soggy shells - instead, warm them in a 350°F oven for about 10 minutes to get them crispy again. Planning ahead? Keep everything separate until you're ready to bake - your shells will thank you.

Delicious Oven Baked BBQ Chicken Pizza Tacos Recipe Save
Delicious Oven Baked BBQ Chicken Pizza Tacos Recipe | tastybysophie.com

Smart Cook Tips

  • Stick your empty taco shells in the oven for 2 minutes before filling them up - they'll stay crunchier longer
  • Shred your rotisserie chicken while it's still hot - it comes apart easier and soaks up way more flavor
  • Let your tacos cool off for a minute after baking - nobody enjoys a burned mouth from super hot cheese (I found this out the hard way!)

When I first mentioned these to my husband's mom, she looked totally skeptical - she's old school about both Italian and Mexican cooking. But after one bite, she actually wanted to know how to make them. Now when the grandkids visit, she makes what she calls "Nonna's special tacos" and they think she created them. I've never set the record straight and probably won't. Some kitchen secrets are better kept!

Recipe FAQs

→ Can I swap hard taco shells with corn tortillas?
Totally! Coat corn tortillas with oil, hang them over oven racks to shape, and bake at 375°F for 7-8 minutes until they're crispy. Fill and bake as usual.
→ What other proteins could I try?
Get creative! Ground beef, pork, or chorizo are awesome with BBQ and pizza flavors. For vegetarian versions, use black beans, tofu crumbles, or meatless substitutes.
→ Can I prepare these beforehand?
Sure! You can make the BBQ chicken mix a couple of days early and keep it chilled. It's best to assemble and bake the tacos fresh. Or, prep them and refrigerate a bit before baking later.
→ Why put cheese first in the taco shell?
Starting with cheese helps protect the shell from getting soggy. When it melts, it forms a barrier between the wet ingredients and keeps the shell crisp.
→ What sides go well with these tacos?
Serve with simple salad, rice, coleslaw, or corn on the cob. For something heavier, pair it with black bean soup or refried beans.

Fun family fusion meal

A mashup of crispy taco shells and gooey BBQ pizza toppings, ready in minutes and perfect for satisfying big appetites with little effort.

Prep Time
10 min
Cook Time
25 min
Total Time
35 min
By Sophie Parker: Sophie Parker

Category: Family Treasures

Skill Level: Beginner

Cuisine: Global Mix

Yield: 5 Servings (10 tacos)

Dietary Preferences: ~

Ingredients

→ Core Components

01 2 tsp olive oil
02 1 lb chicken thighs, skinless and boneless, cut into 1-inch chunks
03 2 tsp finely chopped garlic
04 1/3 cup BBQ sauce
05 Salt for seasoning
06 10 taco shells that hold their shape upright
07 2 cups mozzarella, shredded

→ Pizza Style Add-Ons

08 1/3 green bell pepper, thinly sliced after removing seeds
09 1/4 red onion, sliced thin
10 1/4 cup thinly sliced mushrooms
11 2 tbsp sliced black olives
12 1 sprinkle of Italian herbs or pizza spice mix

→ Optional Extras

13 Guacamole
14 Sour cream
15 Salsa

Steps

Step 01

Set your oven to heat up to 400°F (200°C). Coat a baking dish (13x9-inch) with a little cooking spray, then place it aside.

Step 02

In a skillet over medium-high heat, add olive oil and heat it up. Once hot, toss in the chicken pieces and cook until they develop a crisp exterior and turn golden brown.

Step 03

Mix the minced garlic into the pan with the chicken and cook for just about a minute until it smells wonderful. Pour in the BBQ sauce and sprinkle in some salt (about ½ tsp). Stir until the chicken is coated, the sauce is glossy, and it thickens slightly. Turn off heat.

Step 04

Arrange the taco shells neatly in the prepped dish. Put a small amount of mozzarella (1-2 tbsp) into the bottom of each shell to stop them from getting soggy later.

Step 05

Spoon 2-3 tbsp of your BBQ chicken mixture into each taco shell on top of the cheese layer. Spread the chicken evenly to use it all up.

Step 06

Add the bell pepper strands, red onion, mushrooms, and olives on top of the chicken layer, dividing them evenly. Sprinkle what’s left of the mozzarella on top and finish with a pinch of Italian herbs or pizza seasoning.

Step 07

Put the dish in the oven and bake for around 15 minutes, or until the cheese is completely melted and just turns golden brown.

Step 08

Take the dish out of the oven and serve while it’s hot. You can top with extras like guacamole, sour cream, or salsa, depending on what you like.

Notes

  1. Chicken breast is a great swap for chicken thighs, but keep in mind it might cook quicker and dry out if overdone.
  2. Change up the toppings to match your style—pepperoni, pineapple, or spicy peppers all work nicely.
  3. Want a bit of heat? Throw in some red chili flakes or add sliced jalapeños to the toppings.

Required Tools

  • Baking dish, 13x9 inches
  • Frying pan or a skillet
  • Cooking spray
  • Measuring tools for spoons and cups

Allergy Information

Check each ingredient for potential allergens and consult a healthcare professional if needed.
  • Has dairy (mozzarella cheese)
  • Contains gluten (unless you get gluten-free taco shells)

Nutritional Facts (per serving)

These details are provided for informational purposes and aren't a substitute for medical advice.
  • Calories: 207
  • Fats: 11 g
  • Carbohydrates: 13 g
  • Proteins: 15 g