These BBQ Chicken Flatbreads are everything you crave in a weeknight meal: smoky, saucy chicken, garlicky spices, gooey mozzarella, and a crisp golden base—ready in just 30 minutes! Every bite hits that sweet spot between comfort food and bright, zippy freshness, making them perfect for sharing with friends or treating yourself to a new pizza-night tradition.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Major Flavor, Minimal Effort: Savory, spiced chicken and tangy BBQ sauce transform store-bought flatbreads into something restaurant-worthy, all in under half an hour.
- Endless Adaptability: Use any flatbread, change up the cheese, or add your favorite toppings to make these BBQ Chicken Flatbreads truly your own.
- Perfect for Sharing: These come out of the oven golden, bubbly, and ready to be sliced up for family dinners, game nights, or laid-back parties.
- Fresh Finish Every Time: A sprinkle of fresh herbs adds that pop of color and vibrant flavor, so every bite is as gorgeous as it is delicious.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Every ingredient here plays a starring role in making these BBQ Chicken Flatbreads so craveable. From the fiery kick of paprika to the gooey mozzarella and zippy red onion, you’ll love how these simple elements combine for huge flavor and texture.
- Chicken breast (or thighs): Boneless, skinless chicken cut into bite-sized pieces cooks quickly and stays juicy; thighs are a delicious substitute if you have them.
- Olive oil: Helps the seasonings cling to the chicken and encourages that gorgeous golden sear.
- Sweet and smoked paprika: The perfect duo for smoky warmth and a fantastic color—don’t skip the smoked paprika for that classic BBQ depth!
- Garlic powder & onion powder: These pantry staples bring a savory base note that echoes real slow-cooked BBQ chicken.
- Sea salt flakes & cracked black pepper: To round out all those bold flavors with the perfect savory touch.
- Flatbreads: Turkish bread, pita, naan, Lebanese bread, or any sturdy flatbread is your canvas—use your favorite or what’s handy.
- Store-bought BBQ sauce: Choose your go-to brand, smoky or sweet, to tie everything together in true BBQ style.
- Shredded mozzarella: Melts beautifully and brings that gooey pizza joy; swap in another meltable cheese if you like.
- Red onion: Finely sliced for sweet bite and pretty color—so good both fresh and baked.
- Capsicum (bell pepper): Adds vibrant color and a gentle sweetness that’s irresistible against the BBQ chicken.
- Fresh coriander (cilantro): Totally optional, but a sprinkle at the end really makes the flavors pop—swap for basil, oregano, or thyme if preferred.
Variations
One of the best things about BBQ Chicken Flatbreads is how easy it is to put your own spin on them. Mix and match toppings, sauces, or even the base to match your mood, what’s in your fridge, or everyone’s dietary needs!
- Go Vegetarian: Swap the chicken for roasted chickpeas or cooked jackfruit tossed in BBQ sauce for a plant-based option that’s just as satisfying.
- Spice It Up: Add a pinch of chili flakes to the chicken or a drizzle of hot sauce before serving if you love extra heat.
- Cheese Swap: Try sharp cheddar, provolone, or even gouda in place of mozzarella for a different melty experience.
- Custom Flatbread: Use focaccia, mini pizza bases, or even homemade 2-ingredient flatbread if you want to get crafty—each brings its own unique texture and flavor.
How to Make BBQ Chicken Flatbreads
Step 1: Season and Sear the Chicken
Toss your chicken pieces with olive oil, both paprikas, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper in a medium bowl—use your hands or tongs to really get every piece evenly coated. Once your pan is sizzling hot, cook the chicken for about 6 minutes, stirring often, until it’s golden and cooked through. Set your savory morsels aside; you’re already halfway to flavor town.
Step 2: Prep the Flatbreads and Layer on Flavor
Set your oven to 200°C (400°F) fan-forced, and line a tray (or two) with parchment for easy cleanup. Lay out your flatbreads, then spread them with a thin, even layer of BBQ sauce. Next, scatter over the mozzarella, followed by your cooked chicken, sweet red onion slices, and strips of capsicum. Each layer brings its own burst of color and taste—so don’t skimp!
Step 3: Bake Until Bubbling and Golden
Pop the loaded flatbreads in the hot oven and bake for 8–10 minutes. The cheese should be deliciously melted and beginning to brown at the edges, while your flatbread base gets just the right amount of crisp. If you’re using two trays, don’t forget to swap their positions halfway for perfect results.
Step 4: Finish and Serve
Once they’re out of the oven, sprinkle over lots of fresh coriander (or your herb of choice). Serve these BBQ Chicken Flatbreads right away—trust me, you’ll want to dig in while everything is hot, cheesy, and full of BBQ magic!
Pro Tips for Making BBQ Chicken Flatbreads
- Maximize Flavor With Spice: Give your chicken a little extra time to marinate (even 15 minutes) if you can—it makes the spices sing!
- Get That Perfect Golden Base: For extra crispiness, brush the underside of your flatbreads lightly with olive oil before baking.
- Layer Cheese Strategically: Start with a sprinkle of cheese under the chicken and a bit more on top—this helps everything stick and gives you those irresistible cheesy edges.
- Mix Up Your Veggies: Try thin slices of mushroom, corn, or even pineapple for new flavor combos that still play perfectly with BBQ chicken.
How to Serve BBQ Chicken Flatbreads
Garnishes
A generous scattering of chopped coriander is classic, but if you’re not a fan, try fresh basil or oregano leaves. A little extra drizzle of BBQ sauce or a dollop of creamy ranch can add that final restaurant-style touch—plus a crack of black pepper never hurts!
Side Dishes
Pair your BBQ Chicken Flatbreads with a crisp green salad, some roasted sweet potato wedges, or classic coleslaw for a balanced meal. These flatbreads also go great as part of a casual “pizza night” spread with other shareable snacks.
Creative Ways to Present
Cut your flatbreads into small squares or strips for easy appetizers or party bites. For a fun family dinner, set out all the toppings and let everyone build their own custom BBQ Chicken Flatbreads—the ultimate DIY flatbread bar.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover BBQ Chicken Flatbreads keep beautifully in an airtight container in the fridge for up to two days. The flavors meld together even more as they sit, making those second-day slices extra satisfying.
Freezing
To freeze, assemble the flatbreads but don’t bake—wrap them well and freeze for up to one month. When ready to eat, bake straight from frozen, adding 5–7 extra minutes of cook time.
Reheating
For the crispiest leftovers, reheat your flatbreads in a preheated 180°C (350°F) oven for about 12–15 minutes. Microwaving works in a pinch, though you’ll lose some crunch, but the flavors will still shine.
FAQs
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Can I use leftover cooked chicken instead of cooking fresh?
Absolutely! If you have leftover rotisserie or grilled chicken, just shred or chop it and toss with the seasonings and a little BBQ sauce before topping your flatbreads. This is a fantastic way to make dinner even faster.
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What’s the best type of flatbread to use?
Anything sturdy that crisps up nicely works—Turkish bread, store-bought pita, naan, or even Lebanese bread. Thicker flatbreads yield a chewier, doughier bite, while thinner bases get especially crispy around the edges.
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How can I make these BBQ Chicken Flatbreads ahead for a party?
Simply cook the chicken and assemble the flatbreads up to 24 hours ahead, cover, and refrigerate them unbaked. When you’re ready, bake straight from the fridge, adding a few minutes to the cook time. The finished flatbreads taste just as fresh!
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Can I make these gluten-free or dairy-free?
Definitely! Use your favorite gluten-free flatbreads and a plant-based cheese if needed—most BBQ sauces are gluten-free, but always double-check the label just to be sure.
Final Thoughts
If you’re craving something cozy, colorful, and infinitely customizable, these BBQ Chicken Flatbreads are your new go-to. Gather your favorite people (or treat yourself!), fire up the oven, and get ready for dinner to become the most exciting part of your day!
Print
BBQ Chicken Flatbreads Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 15 mins
- Total Time: 30 mins
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
These BBQ Chicken Flatbreads are a delicious and easy meal perfect for a quick weeknight dinner. Tender chicken coated in flavorful spices, topped with BBQ sauce, mozzarella, and veggies on crispy flatbreads.
Ingredients
Chicken
- 1 large boneless, skinless chicken breast (about 300 g/10 1/2 oz), cut into small bite-sized pieces
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp sweet paprika
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp sea salt flakes
- 1/2 tsp cracked black pepper
Flatbreads
- 4 flatbreads
- 1/4 cup (60 ml) store-bought BBQ sauce
- 1 cup (150 g) shredded mozzarella
- 1 small red onion, finely sliced
- 1 small capsicum (bell pepper), finely sliced
- 1 tbsp freshly chopped coriander (cilantro), to garnish
Instructions
- Chicken: Place chicken in a bowl, add olive oil, paprikas, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Toss to coat evenly. Cook in a pan until browned and cooked through.
- Flatbreads: Preheat oven, line baking tray, spread BBQ sauce on flatbreads, sprinkle with mozzarella, top with chicken, onions, and capsicum. Bake until cheese is melted and bubbly. Garnish with coriander and serve.
Notes
- You can use chicken thighs instead of chicken breast.
- Choose any type of flatbread or pizza base for this recipe.
- If you don’t like coriander, try using another herb like oregano, thyme, basil, or rosemary.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 flatbread
- Calories: 375
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 620mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
