This BBQ Chicken Flatbread is a savory and satisfying recipe topped with barbecue-flavored chicken bites, melted cheese, and fresh cilantro. It's a delicious appetizer or dinner option and effortless to add to your game-night rotation.
We’ve always enjoyed Panera’s barbecue chicken flatbread, but unfortunately, it is no longer available. We really missed that smoky, cheesy goodness.
After a couple of tries, we've arrived at this recipe. It’s quick, easy, packed with the same bold flavors, and ready in under 20 minutes with simple ingredients.
You can simply, toss the chicken in barbecue sauce, then layer it over flatbread along with onions and cheese. Bake until golden and bubbly, and you’ll have a delicious meal ready soon!
Honestly, it’s just as delicious as the original! And drizzle BBQ aioli for extra creaminess.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
⭐️I love this recipe for its nostalgic flavors.
⭐️It’s a great meal—flavorful barbecue chicken and cheesy flatbread pizza.
⭐️Perfect for game days or quick, satisfying meals.
Ingredients
- Flatbread: Look for thin flatbread or use Naan bread(this will be slightly thicker).
- Shredded Chicken Breast: Use chicken breast as the base, but chicken thighs can also work well for a juicier texture. You can even use rotisserie chicken as a convenient alternative. Shredd the chicken using the fork.
- Barbecue Sauce: Sweet Baby Ray’s is a popular choice, but for a flavorful twist, experiment with fusion barbecue sauces like a barbecue Sriracha sauce.
- Mozzarella Cheese: For extra flavor, use freshly shredded mozzarella or try smoked mozzarella—it pairs perfectly with barbecue sauce.
- Onion: Thinly slice the onion. You can use red or sweet onion, depending on your preference.
- Fresh Cilantro brightens up the dish and complements the other flavors beautifully. Parsley is a milder alternative if you’re not a fan of cilantro.
- Olive Oil: Extra-virgin olive oil is highly recommended for this recipe to enhance the overall flavor.
- Crushed red pepper: Adjust the amount according to your preference.
How To Make BBQ Chicken Flatbread
- Start by preheating your oven to 450°F. Line a baking sheet(if needed). In a bowl, mix your cooked chicken with ¼ cup of BBQ sauce.
- Brush olive oil on each flatbread. Spread two tablespoons of BBQ sauce over each flatbread, then sprinkle half of the mozzarella cheese.
- Now, place the BBQ-sauced shredded chicken and red onion evenly. And sprinkle crushed red pepper.
- Again, spread the remaining cheese and bake for 8 minutes or until melted and bubbly. Once done, sprinkle fresh cilantro on top, slice, and serve warm.
♨️How To Adjust The Heat Level
This barbeque chicken flatbread has mild heat, mainly from crushed red pepper.
You can adjust the heat by changing the quantity to match your preference.
If you’d like to enhance the heat, add sliced jalapeños, jalapeno pickles, or use this barbecue Sriracha sauce for extra flavor.
The Leftovers
- Store leftover BBQ chicken flatbread in the refrigerator for up to three days or in the freezer for about three months.
- To defrost, transfer the flatbread to the refrigerator overnight or use the microwave for a quicker option.
- You don’t need to thaw the flatbread before reheating it. Bake it straight from the freezer at 350°F for about 15 minutes or until warm.
What To Serve With
This flatbread pairs perfectly with a fresh green salad, spicy sweet potato fries, creamy coleslaw(or this jalapeno coleslaw), grilled corn on the cob, or a comforting bowl of tomato soup(like this tomato paste soup).
FAQ
In this recipe, you can substitute naan or pita bread for flatbread; both can hold up the toppings well.
To achieve a crispy flatbread, preheat the baking tray in the oven before placing the flatbread. Bake it on the middle rack for even heat distribution.
Yes, you can prepare all the ingredients in advance. Keep the toppings, sauce, and flatbread stored separately in the refrigerator. Assemble the flatbread just before serving for the best results.
More Game Day Recipes To Try
If you enjoyed this recipe, please consider leaving a ⭐ star rating and let me know your thoughts in the 📝 comments section below the recipe.
📖 Recipe
BBQ Chicken Flatbread
Ingredients
- 2 flatbreads (or naan bread)
- 1 cup chicken breast cooked and shredded
- ½ cup BBQ sauce (Sweet Baby Ray's or your favorite brand)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese shredded
- 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper (adjust to taste)
- ¼ cup red onion thinly sliced
- ¼ cup fresh cilantro chopped
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 450°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Toss the cooked chicken with ¼ cup of BBQ sauce until fully coated. And set aside.
- Brush each flatbread lightly with olive oil.
- Spread a thin, even layer of BBQ sauce (about 2 tablespoons per flatbread) over the surface.
- Sprinkle half of the shredded mozzarella cheese across the flatbreads.
- Distribute the BBQ chicken and red onion evenly on top. And sprinkle crushed red pepper.
- Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella over the toppings.
- Place the flatbreads in the preheated oven and bake for 8 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and starting to brown, and the edges of the flatbread turns crisp.
- Remove the flatbreads from the oven and immediately sprinkle with fresh chopped cilantro. Slice into pieces and serve warm.
Notes
- Use naan or pita as a substitute for flatbread, and for extra crispiness, preheat the baking tray before placing the flatbread in the oven.
- Adjust the heat level by adjusting the quantity of crushed red pepper or adding sliced jalapeños, or using a spicy BBQ sauce.
- Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months. Reheat directly from frozen at 350°F for about 15 minutes.
- Serve with a fresh green salad, sweet potato fries, coleslaw, grilled corn, or a warm bowl of tomato soup.
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