Looking for an easy way to use up leftover chicken or bacon? These BBQ chicken flatbread pizzas are perfect for weeknight dinners, game day snacks or even a fun lunch. They’re bursting with smoky flavor and gooey cheese, and they come together quickly using store-bought flatbread. You can add your own spin with different toppings, and the fresh cilantro and BBQ drizzle at the end take them over the top. Flatbread pizza is always a win when you want a satisfying, simple meal.
These BBQ chicken flatbread pizzas are smoky, cheesy and super quick to make. Customize them with your favorite toppings for a fast and flavorful homemade meal.
Pizza lovers might also enjoy this sheet pan Caprese pizza, pizza zucchini boats or what about cute heart-shaped pizzas?
Why You’ll Love It
A great copycat recipe: Whether you want to recreate your favorite pizza recipes from California Pizza Kitchen or you’re more of a Panera fan, you’ll love how similar this grilled chicken, bacon and red onion pizza is.
Simple to make: Begin with a prepared flatbread and then cook chicken and bacon, arrange that with the other ingredients and bake.
Impressive: You don’t have to tell anyone else at the table how easy this recipe is to make. Enjoy their praise, because you’ll definitely get it!
Chicken Bacon Flatbread Ingredients
A complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the recipe card below.
Flatbread crust: Acts as the base for this quick and easy pizza.
Chicken breast: Adds lean protein and soaks up the BBQ flavor beautifully.
Bacon: Gives a smoky, salty bite that pairs perfectly with sweet BBQ sauce.
Red onion: Brings a sharp, slightly sweet crunch to balance the rich toppings.
Green onion: Adds a subtle sharp flavor to the pizzas.
Carrot: Adds color and a touch of natural sweetness.
Shredded mozzarella: Melts beautifully for a gooey, cheesy finish.
BBQ sauce: The main flavor star that ties everything together.
Cilantro: Cilantro adds brightness and freshness.
Spices: Salt and black pepper season the chicken and enhance overall flavor.
How to Make Flatbread Pizza at Home
For more detailed instructions with weights and measurements, jump to the printable recipe card.
Season and cook the chicken: Season with salt and pepper, then cook in bacon grease until done.
Cook the bacon: Cut and fry until crisp, then set aside.
Prepare the toppings: Slice onion, shave carrot, chop herbs and shred the cheese.
Assemble the pizza: Spread BBQ sauce on the flatbread, add cheese, BBQ chicken, bacon, onion and carrot.
Bake the flatbread: Cook in a hot oven until the crust is crisp and the cheese is melted.
Garnish and serve: Add more BBQ sauce, cilantro and green onions before slicing.
Substitutions and Variations
Use rotisserie chicken: A great shortcut if you’re in a hurry.
Swap the cheese: Any cheese will work great with this flatbread, a mozzarella and provolone mix is traditional although sharp cheddar is delicious, gouda would be good, and pepper jack would give it a little extra heat.
Add veggies: Bell peppers or jalapeños would work well here.
Try a different crust: Use naan, pita or gluten-free flatbread.
Grill it: This flatbread also tastes great when cooked on a high rack in a grill, just be extra cautious not to burn the bottom.
Add some heat: For an extra kick add pickled jalapeño peppers or pepperoncini.
Serving Suggestions
With a salad: Peach panzanella would be good with BBQ chicken flatbreads, or you might prefer a lemon parmesan chopped salad or fennel orange salad.
With other sides: These bacon wrapped tater tots are really good, or you might prefer air fry onion rings or gouda cream cheese corn.
How to Store Flatbread Pizza
Store: Keep leftovers covered and refrigerated and eat within 3 days.
Freeze: You can freeze this as long as you don’t add the green onions or cilantro first because they’ll go mushy. Double-bag the leftovers first to avoid freezer burn.
Thaw: Defrost in the refrigerator overnight.
Reheat: You can microwave leftovers to warm them back up. Another method is to put the flatbread pizza in a dry nonstick skillet, add a few drops of water around it and cover with a lid. Heat the burner gently and the water will turn to steam, warming the toppings up while the crust crisps back up on the hot metal.
Top Tips
Use cooked chicken: Saves time and ensures the meat is juicy and tender.
Watch the oven closely: Flatbreads cook fast, so don’t walk away.
Don’t overload with sauce: Too much BBQ sauce can make the crust soggy.
Layer cheese wisely: Start with a little under the toppings and more on top for best melt.
Chicken Bacon Flatbread FAQs
The main difference is the dough. Pizza dough has yeast and a pizza is typically topped with tomato sauce and cheese. So BBQ chicken flatbread Panera style, for example, is unyeasted and therefore a flatbread. Flatbread has a thinner crust and the sauce isn’t always tomato. Most pizzas have more toppings than flatbreads or are at least more generously topped.
Yes, grilling works great. Use indirect heat and watch for crisping.
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