Imagine the smoky, tangy, and cheesy flavors of your favorite barbecue chicken pizza, but sped up and simplified for a weeknight dinner: that’s exactly what you get with this BBQ Chicken French Bread Pizza Recipe. It’s the ultimate quick comfort food, giving you crispy French bread loaded up with juicy chicken, barbecue sauce, bubbly cheese, and a scatter of fresh toppings that make every bite irresistible. Perfect for feeding a crowd, pleasing the family, or impressing a hungry friend, this twist on classic pizza is guaranteed to find its way into your regular meal rotation.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe keeps things refreshingly uncomplicated, yet every ingredient packs a punch — each one adds its own unique flavor, texture, or pop of color. With just a loaf of French bread and a handful of pantry staples, you’re only a few steps away from pizza bliss!
- French bread: Go for a classic, sturdy loaf — it becomes the pizza “crust,” giving you a perfect base that stays crisp outside and fluffy inside.
- Barbecue sauce: Choose your favorite for just the right balance of sweet, smoky, and tangy; it’s the heart of BBQ flavor for this BBQ Chicken French Bread Pizza Recipe.
- Chicken breast, cooked and shredded: Rotisserie chicken is a total time-saver and soaks up the sauce beautifully.
- Mozzarella cheese, shredded: This brings that classic gooey melt and keeps the flavors mild and creamy.
- Cheddar cheese, shredded: Adds a sharp edge and brilliant orange color — or try smoked gouda if you want an extra flavor boost!
- Red onion, thinly sliced: A little tang and crunch goes a long way; don’t skip these gorgeous rings for color and zing.
- Fresh cilantro, chopped: Lifts everything with a pop of freshness right at the end — it’s more essential than it seems!
- Olive oil: Brushing it on the bread gives your pizza that irresistible golden crunch underneath.
How to Make BBQ Chicken French Bread Pizza Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Bread Base
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Slice your French bread in half lengthwise and place each half, cut side up, on a baking sheet. Brush the cut sides lightly with olive oil. This step is the secret to that perfect pizza crunch; the bread will toast up just enough to stand up to all those juicy toppings.
Step 2: Par-bake the Bread
Pop the bread into the oven and bake for 5 minutes. This quick initial bake ensures the bread is crisp on the outside but still tender inside — so it won’t get soggy when you pile on your BBQ chicken goodies.
Step 3: Prep the Chicken
While the bread is toasting, toss your cooked, shredded chicken with half of the barbecue sauce in a bowl. This coats every piece with sweet, smoky flavor, the star element of our BBQ Chicken French Bread Pizza Recipe.
Step 4: Assemble the Pizzas
Remove the bread from the oven and spread the remaining barbecue sauce evenly onto both bread halves. Top with the saucy chicken, then sprinkle on the mozzarella and cheddar cheeses, making sure to reach all the way to the crust so every bite is cheesily satisfying. Scatter the thinly sliced red onions over the top for crunch and color.
Step 5: Bake to Golden Perfection
Return your loaded bread to the oven and bake for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the cheese is gooey and bubbly with tempting golden spots. The scent of barbecue and melting cheese will fill your kitchen and may even draw a little crowd.
Step 6: Add Freshness and Serve
Take the pizzas out of the oven and shower them with freshly chopped cilantro. This final step brightens the rich flavors and cuts through all that cheesy goodness, giving your BBQ Chicken French Bread Pizza Recipe its signature finish. Slice it up and enjoy immediately!
How to Serve BBQ Chicken French Bread Pizza Recipe
Garnishes
A sprinkle of fresh cilantro is a must, but you can also add sliced green onions, pickled jalapeños, or even a drizzle of extra barbecue sauce right before serving. These touches take your BBQ Chicken French Bread Pizza Recipe from good to unforgettable.
Side Dishes
Keep it simple with a crispy green salad tossed in a zippy vinaigrette, or go all out with classic sides like coleslaw, roasted corn, or tangy pickles. These fresh and crunchy sides perfectly balance the richness of the pizza.
Creative Ways to Present
For fun gatherings, slice the pizza into appetizer-sized portions and serve on a rustic wooden board. Or turn your BBQ Chicken French Bread Pizza Recipe into a “pizza bar” with bowls of extra toppings so everyone can customize their slice. This dish is as versatile as your imagination.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Let any leftover pizza cool completely before wrapping slices tightly in foil or storing them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The BBQ Chicken French Bread Pizza Recipe will stay tasty for up to 3 days, making it ideal for easy lunches or snacks.
Freezing
Wrap individual pizza slices in foil and place them in a freezer-safe bag. They freeze beautifully for up to 2 months. When a pizza craving hits, you’re just minutes away from enjoying another slice.
Reheating
For best results, reheat slices in the oven at 375°F (190°C) for 8–10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the crust is crisp. Microwaving works in a pinch, but the oven brings back that irresistible crunch you love.
FAQs
Can I use a different type Main Course
Absolutely! Try ciabatta, sourdough, or even a sturdy Italian loaf if you want to mix things up — just avoid very soft sandwich breads, which don’t hold the toppings as well.
What other cheeses work for BBQ Chicken French Bread Pizza Recipe?
Get creative! Smoked gouda, pepper jack, or even a little blue cheese can bring a whole new dimension of flavor. Mix and match with mozzarella and cheddar for your perfect cheese blend.
Is it possible to make this BBQ Chicken French Bread Pizza Recipe vegetarian?
Of course! Substitute the chicken with grilled or roasted vegetables like zucchini, mushrooms, or bell peppers, and use your favorite plant-based barbecue sauce.
Can I prepare the ingredients ahead of time?
Definitely. Shred the chicken, slice the onions, and shred the cheeses up to two days in advance. Store them separately in airtight containers to make pizza assembly extra speedy.
What’s the best way to slice and serve this pizza at parties?
After baking, let it cool slightly for easier slicing. Cut each bread half into 2–3-inch strips or diagonal pieces — perfect for grab-and-go servings at get-togethers or game nights.
Final Thoughts
BBQ Chicken French Bread Pizza Recipe brings together everything you love about pizza night with a backyard barbecue twist, all in less than 30 minutes. Once you’ve tried this delicious shortcut, you’ll never look at French bread the same way again. Give it a whirl and let every slice bring a smile to your table!
Print
BBQ Chicken French Bread Pizza Recipe
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
This BBQ Chicken French Bread Pizza recipe is a delicious twist on classic pizza, featuring tender chicken, tangy barbecue sauce, and gooey cheeses on crispy French bread. Perfect for a quick and satisfying dinner!
Ingredients
French Bread:
- 1 loaf French bread, sliced in half lengthwise
Barbecue Chicken Topping:
- 1 cup barbecue sauce
- 2 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded
Cheese and Toppings:
- 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
- ¼ small red onion, thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
Additional:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Prepare the bread: Place the halved French bread on a baking sheet, cut sides up, and brush with olive oil. Bake for 5 minutes until slightly crisp.
- Make the chicken topping: In a bowl, toss the shredded chicken with ½ cup of barbecue sauce.
- Assemble the pizza: Spread the remaining ½ cup barbecue sauce evenly over the bread halves. Top each half with the sauced chicken, then sprinkle mozzarella and cheddar cheese evenly over both halves. Add sliced red onions on top.
- Bake: Bake for 10–12 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Finish and serve: Remove from the oven and sprinkle with chopped cilantro. Slice and serve immediately.
Notes
- For extra flavor, use smoked gouda in place of cheddar.
- You can also add sliced jalapeños for a spicy kick or use rotisserie chicken for convenience.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 460
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 880 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg
