Barbecue Chicken Pizza #SundaySupper #FamilyDinnerTable

I grew up eating dinner around the family table. I didn’t know any different. I believe in the importance of sharing meal time together as a family, which is why Sunday Supper is so near to my heart. I’m pretty lucky in that my children are still young. I can enforce the rule – if they want to eat, they need to be at the table and eat with the family. This sometimes is a challenge for my four year old. He doesn’t eat a lot of food (or variety for that matter), so when he’s done, he just gets up from the table to go play. We are working on changing this behavior, but in the mean time I usually just bribe him with this Barbecue Chicken Pizza.

I am trying to get my four year old son to understand, that even if he’s done eating, he can still remain at the table for conversation. Communication is one of the most important things in a family. Gathering around the table for a meal opens those lines of communication. Everyone relaxes as they enjoy a good meal. A family dinner does not have to be complicated or a zillion courses. The meal can be as simple a grilled cheese sandwich and hearty bowl of soup. What is important about the meal, is the connection and family bonds that are strengthened. I like to get everyone involved when we make pizza. It’s definitely a hands on dinner.

For my barbecue chicken pizza I start caramelizing the onions while DH makes the dough. Speaking of dough…do you see my new beautiful stand mixture my wonderful husband surprised me with on Friday. You could have knocked me over with a feather I was so stunned. Of course I had to break it in right, and what better way than with my husband’s homemade pizza dough recipe.

If you’re struggling to gather your family at mealtime, keep it simple. Strategically choose a few nights a week that work for everyone. Take time to review schedules in advance, and set the actual time to start eating. That sounds odd, but would you rather have your teen home while you are cooking dinner, or when you can actually sit together to physically eat? The best routines can start with a single night of the week that everyone can be there for dinner. Make a meal plan, and have all the ingredients you need on hand. This allows you to be flexible if your plan needs to change.

No one says the meal has to be a formal affair as your children mature. Some of my best memories are from snacking around the center island in the kitchen prepping the meal with my family. When you find you have a night that allows more time, than eat and run, try and plan a more interactive meal. One with ingredients that gets everybody involved in the process of making dinner together. Pizza is my favorite example of a meal that gets everyone involved in the kitchen. Even little ones can help roll out the dough or add toppings to their own pizza.

If you are fan of sharing dinner around the family table, then check out the American Family Insurance “Share Your Recipe” sweepstakes. The contest runs for six weeks, with a weekly prize of a $100 Williams-Sonoma gift card. Plus they are also offering a grand prize of a $500 Williams-Sonoma gift card. You can check out the full contest details on the American Family Insurance website here. Remember this, good food brings family to the table. I am not against favorite food bribes to get my children to the table so don’t be afraid to the use the same tactics on your teens!

There are many more fabulous recipes this week to check out from the Sunday Supper crew. This week we are sharing recipes inspired from our own childhood. When I was young, I loved making pizzas in the kitchen as a family. I was a pretty picky eater and stuck mostly to plain cheese or pepperoni. With that in mind, I made sure there was plain pizza for the kids, as well as the tasty barbecue chicken pizza. Does the pizza have your mouth watering yet? If not, I am sure it will be after to you check out all the other FAB recipes being shared this week!

Asian Short Rib Tacos with Pineapple & Crunchy Slaw by Foxes Loves Lemons
Barbecue Chicken Pizza by In The Kitchen With KP
Beef & Potato Skillet Supper by Cupcakes & Kale Chips
Braised Pork Chops and Sauerkraut by kimchi MOM
Chicken a la King by Juanita’s Cocina
Chicken and Dumplings by Country Girl In The Village
Chicken Crescent Squares by Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks
Family Fave Lasagne by NinjaBaking.com
Gluten Free Peppered Steak by No One Likes Crumbley Cookies
Greek Meatballs (Soutzoukakia) by Supper For A Steal
Green Chile Chicken Tortilla Casserole by girlichef
Hungarian Goulash by The Foodie Army Wife
Linguine with fresh Tomatoes and Basil by The Not So Cheesy Kitchen
Meatloaf by Magnolia Days
Peixe Asado no Forno | Fish Baked in the Oven by Family Foodie
Pierogies by Cindy’s Recipes and Writings
Sour Cream Coffee Cake by The Girl In The Little Red Kitchen
Straw and Hay Pasta by That Skinny Chick Can Bake
Swiss Steak by Curious Cuisiniere
Veggie Mac and Cheese by Hip Foodie Mom

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Join the #SundaySupper conversation on Twitter this week Sunday, September 15th, to talk about our favorite Childhood memories and recipes. Everyone is welcome!

We’ll tweet throughout the day and share recipes from all over the world. Our weekly chat starts at 7:00 pm ET, and you do not want to miss out on the fun. Follow the #SundaySupper hashtag, and remember to include it in your tweets to join in the chat. Check out our #SundaySupper Pinterest board for more fabulous recipes and food photos!

What’s your favorite tried and true recipe to bring your family running to the table for dinner?

Barbecue Chicken Pizza #SundaySupper #FamilyDinnerTable 6PM Thurs to Renee

Author: KP

Recipe type: Entree

Cuisine: American

Ingredients

2 tablespoons butter
1 large sweet onion, sliced thin
2 boneless skinless chicken breasts diced into small pieces
1 Cup of your favorite barbecue sauce
1 Cup finely shredded Monterey jack cheese
1 batch Homemade Pizza Dough (or store bought works as well)
Olive oil for prebaking of pizza crust

Instructions

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
Make pizza dough, brush pizza dough with olive oil and prebake crust 5-7 minutes
Remove from oven and set aside
In a large skillet over medium heat, melt butter.
Add sliced onions to skillet and toss to coat in melted butter.
Spread the onions out evenly over the pan and let cook, stirring occasionally.
Watch and let the onions cook long enough without stirring to brown and caramelize. If you stir too often, the onions won’t brown.
After about 30 minutes, or when the onions are nice and caramelized, remove them from the pan and set aside.
Return the skillet to the stove and the setting to medium high heat
Add the diced chicken to the skillet and saute until golden brown, about 10-12 minutes.
When chicken is cooked through, add ½ C of barbecue sauce to the chicken and heat through.
Add caramelized onions back to the skillet and stir combine with chicken and sauce.
Remove mixture from heat and set aside
Spread remaining ½ cup of barbecue sauce on prebaked pizza crust
Top sauce with chicken and onion mixture, evenly coating pizza crust
Top chicken mixture with shredded cheese
Bake in oven for 15-20 minutes, or until cheese is completely melted
Remove from oven, slice and serve.