If you’re craving something super tasty but don’t want to spend hours in the kitchen, this Quick BBQ Chicken Flatbread Pizza Recipe is your new best friend. It’s ridiculously easy, comes together in about 15 minutes, and tastes absolutely amazing. Trust me, whether you’re feeding a bunch of hungry friends or just want a quick dinner for yourself, this pizza hits all the right spots with that perfect sweet and smoky BBQ flavor, melty mozzarella, and a little peppery kick from fresh arugula. Stick around — I’ll share exactly how I make it foolproof every time!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Speedy & Convenient: Ready in 15 minutes, perfect for busy weeknights or last-minute cravings.
- Flavor Explosion: Tangy BBQ sauce paired with melty mozzarella and savory chicken creates a mouthwatering combo.
- Customizable: Easy to swap toppings to suit your taste or whatever you have on hand.
- Minimal Clean-Up: One sheet pan, no fancy equipment needed.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this Quick BBQ Chicken Flatbread Pizza Recipe lies in the simplicity and harmony of these few ingredients. Each one brings something unique — from the crispy flatbread base to the tangy BBQ sauce and fresh toppings — making your taste buds sing. Plus, I’ll share some little pointers so you know exactly what to pick up at the store.
- Flatbreads: I like to use store-bought flatbreads for convenience; look for ones that are sturdy but not too thick to crisp up nicely in the oven.
- BBQ Sauce: This is the star of the show, so pick your favorite variety — smoky, sweet, spicy — whatever you love.
- Fresh Mozzarella Cheese: Using fresh slices or torn pieces melts beautifully and adds a creamy texture that shredded sometimes can’t match.
- Red Onion: Thinly sliced for a bit of sharpness and crunch without overpowering the other flavors.
- Baby Bella Mushrooms: Thinly sliced, they bring a subtle earthiness that complements the smoky BBQ sauce.
- Cooked Chicken: Leftover rotisserie chicken works wonders here, saving you prep time and adding tenderness.
- Pickled Banana Peppers: These add a tangy kick and a fun pop of color — definitely don’t skip them!
- Baby Arugula: Added fresh after baking for a peppery finish and a nice contrast to the warm, cheesy pizza.
Variations
I love playing around with this Quick BBQ Chicken Flatbread Pizza Recipe depending on what’s in season or what I’m craving. It’s so forgiving that you can swap toppings or sauces without losing any of that incredible BBQ vibe.
- Vegetarian Version: I’ve swapped the chicken for roasted cauliflower or even seasoned tofu — you won’t miss the meat at all!
- Spicy Kick: Sometimes I sprinkle a little crushed red pepper or use a smoky chipotle BBQ sauce for an extra layer of heat.
- Cheese Swap: I’ve tried smoked gouda or pepper jack instead of mozzarella for a different cheesy twist that’s just as melty and delicious.
- Greens Upgrade: Instead of arugula, baby spinach or fresh basil leaves work beautifully for a fresh pop of flavor.
How to Make Quick BBQ Chicken Flatbread Pizza Recipe
Step 1: Preheat and Prep
Start by preheating your oven to 425°F (220°C). It’s important to get the oven nice and hot so your flatbread crisps up perfectly and the cheese melts just right. While it’s heating, place your flatbreads on a large baking sheet — this will keep everything contained and make clean-up a breeze.
Step 2: Layer Up the Toppings
Spread the BBQ sauce evenly over each flatbread — I like to be generous here because that tangy sauce is what really makes this recipe sing. Next, add your sliced fresh mozzarella (or shredded if that’s what you have), then sprinkle the chopped cooked chicken, red onion, mushrooms, and banana peppers on top. If you want an extra BBQ punch, drizzle a little more BBQ sauce over everything before baking.
Step 3: Bake to Perfection
Bake your assembled flatbread pizzas in the preheated oven for about 8 to 10 minutes. Keep an eye on them so the cheese melts and bubbles but doesn’t brown too much. You’re aiming for melty, gooey cheese with a warm, crispy flatbread base.
Step 4: Finish with Fresh Greens and Serve
As soon as you pull the pizzas out, top them with fresh baby arugula. The peppery greens add a fresh brightness that balances the richness perfectly. Then slice them up, serve immediately, and enjoy!
Pro Tips for Making Quick BBQ Chicken Flatbread Pizza Recipe
- Don’t Overload the Toppings: I’ve learned the hard way that too many toppings make the flatbread soggy and harder to crisp up.
- Use Pre-Cooked Chicken: Saves so much time — leftover rotisserie chicken is my go-to because it’s already seasoned and tender.
- Crisp Up Your Flatbread First: If your flatbreads are on the thicker side, give them a quick 3-4 minute toast before adding toppings to prevent sogginess.
- Fresh Greens at the End: Adding arugula or other greens after baking keeps them fresh and prevents wilting.
How to Serve Quick BBQ Chicken Flatbread Pizza Recipe
Garnishes
I love topping these pizzas with extra fresh baby arugula for that peppery bite, and sometimes a sprinkle of chopped fresh cilantro or green onions adds a bright, herbal note. A quick drizzle of ranch or blue cheese dressing on the side is also a hit with my family!
Side Dishes
When I serve this BBQ Chicken Flatbread Pizza, I usually pair it with a simple side salad tossed in a light vinaigrette or some crunchy coleslaw to balance the richness. Roasted veggies or sweet potato fries work great too for a fun but easy meal.
Creative Ways to Present
For a party, I cut these pizzas into bite-size squares and arrange them on a big platter with little bowls of extra BBQ sauce, pickled peppers, and fresh herbs on the side. It’s effortless finger food that always gets devoured fast!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover flatbread pizza stores well in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. I’ve found that keeping the arugula separate and adding it fresh after reheating helps maintain the best texture and flavor.
Freezing
I don’t usually freeze fully assembled flatbread pizzas because the fresh toppings can get soggy, but you can freeze plain flatbreads and cooked chicken separately for quick prep later. When you’re ready, just layer and bake fresh.
Reheating
To reheat leftovers, I pop the pizza in a preheated 375°F oven for about 7-8 minutes to crisp the crust and remelt the cheese. Avoid microwaving if you want to keep that crispiness — nobody likes soggy crust!
FAQs
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Can I use naan instead of flatbread for this Quick BBQ Chicken Flatbread Pizza Recipe?
Absolutely! Naan makes a great base and has a slightly thicker and softer texture than flatbread. Just keep an eye on the baking time since naan may take a couple extra minutes to crisp up.
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What’s the best way to make this recipe vegetarian?
You can skip the chicken and add more veggies like roasted sweet potatoes, bell peppers, or even tempeh. Using a smoky BBQ sauce still gives that rich flavor without meat.
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Can I prepare these flatbread pizzas ahead of time?
You can assemble the pizzas a few hours ahead and keep them covered in the fridge, but I recommend baking right before serving for the best texture and flavor.
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What BBQ sauce do you recommend?
I love using a smoky hickory or sweet honey BBQ sauce for balance, but feel free to use your favorite brand or homemade sauce to make this recipe your own.
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How do I avoid soggy flatbread pizza?
Don’t overload your sauce or toppings, and don’t bake for too long. You can also pre-toast the flatbread and add fresh toppings like arugula only after baking to keep everything crisp.
Final Thoughts
I absolutely love how this Quick BBQ Chicken Flatbread Pizza Recipe nails that perfect balance of fast, flavorful, and fun. It’s become a go-to in my kitchen especially on nights when I want something that feels special but isn’t complicated. Plus, it’s a real crowd-pleaser — friends and family go crazy for it every time. Give it a try, and soon it might just become your favorite quick dinner too. Let me know how you like to customize yours!
Print
Quick BBQ Chicken Flatbread Pizza Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This BBQ Chicken Flatbread Pizza is a quick and delicious recipe perfect for a speedy meal. Featuring tangy BBQ sauce, fresh mozzarella, red onions, mushrooms, cooked chicken, and a zesty crunch from pickled banana peppers, all topped with peppery baby arugula, this pizza is ready in just 15 minutes. Ideal for a casual weeknight dinner, it’s easy to prepare, bake, and enjoy.
Ingredients
Flatbread Base
- 2 (7-ounce) flatbreads (about 200 grams each)
Toppings
- 1/2 cup BBQ sauce (use your favourite variety)
- 4 ounces fresh mozzarella cheese (sliced or torn, or 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese)
- 1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion
- 2 to 3 fresh baby bella (cremini) mushrooms (thinly sliced)
- 1 cup chopped cooked chicken
- 1/4 cup sliced pickled banana peppers
- 1/4 cup baby arugula
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit to ensure it’s hot enough for a perfect bake.
- Prepare Flatbreads: Place the flatbreads evenly spaced on a large sheet pan to make assembling the pizzas convenient.
- Add Base Sauce: Evenly spread 1/2 cup of BBQ sauce across the two flatbreads, ensuring each is well-coated with the tangy goodness.
- Layer Toppings: Distribute the fresh mozzarella cheese, thinly sliced red onion, baby bella mushrooms, cooked chicken, and sliced pickled banana peppers evenly over the BBQ sauce on both flatbreads.
- Optional Sauce Drizzle: For extra flavor, drizzle additional BBQ sauce over the toppings as desired.
- Bake the Pizzas: Place the sheet pan in the preheated oven and bake for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the flatbread is heated through.
- Add Fresh Arugula & Serve: Remove the pizzas from the oven, top with fresh baby arugula for a peppery bite, cut into pieces, and serve immediately. Enjoy your homemade BBQ Chicken Flatbread Pizza!
Notes
- Forget delivery and make your own flatbread pizza recipe in minutes with this easy and delicious BBQ Chicken pizza.
- With about 15 minutes from prep to cook time, you’ll want to make this one over and over again.
- Feel free to customize the veggies or cheese based on your preferences.
- Using pre-cooked chicken speeds up the preparation considerably.
- To make it spicier, add jalapeños or hot sauce as a topping.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of pizza
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 7 g
- Sodium: 580 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 32 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 45 mg
