My BBQ Chicken Flatbread is loaded with veggies, homemade BBQ chicken and topped with avocado green goddess dressing for a satisfying balanced dinner.
BBQ sauce is the one condiment that can make pretty much any meal taste good. I use it in my vegan sloppy joes and my buffalo chicken tenders, but I also like it in place of a traditional tomato sauce on pizzas or flatbreads. So on those nights we decide to forgo the takeout pizza for a homecooked meal, I typically turn to this loaded BBQ chicken flatbread.
Not only does this flatbread have flavorful BBQ chicken, but it has veggies, two types of cheese (key!) and a tasty avocado green goddess dressing to finish it off. It's good as an app or a main served with a little kale salad action.
Why This Recipe Is Dietitian Approved
- Healthy, yet satisfying. Not all healthy eating is just salads with plain chicken breast. The key to embracing healthy changes is by including the foods you love too. You may not think of flatbread as "healthy", but this one is loaded with lean protein and veggies, without skimping on flavour.
- Quick and easy. I love flatbreads because they can actually be great clean out the fridge meals. This BBQ chicken flatbread can be made with any leftover chicken and whatever veggies you have.
- Make it together. Research has shown that involving your kids in the kitchen can increase their interest in healthy foods, and a simple recipe like this one is a great place to start.
Ingredients
Olive oil. I brush the flatbreads with olive oil to help get a nice crisp. You can substitute this with any neutral tasting oil of choice.
Spices. Oregano and red pepper flakes are all you'll need.
Flatbread. Look for a 8x10” flatbread (or as close to this size as possible). I typically like to use rectangular, however round or thinner flatbreads work-you just may need to use two to equal the same surface area. Bonus points if you can find a whole wheat flatbread crust for more fibre, protein and overall nutrition.
BBQ sauce. Traditional BBQ sauce can be quite high in "hidden sugars". I usually try to opt for a lower sugar version if I can find one. My personal favourite is Stubbs original.
Mozzarella cheese. This is my personal favorite cheese for melting on pizza and flatbread. I recommend shredding the cheese yourself vs. buying pre-shredded for best results. You can also use a combination of any cheeses you prefer like colby, havarti, provolone etc.
Chicken. You can use pre-cooked rotisserie chicken or make your own chicken breast using with this recipe.
Veggies. For some fibre and colour on this loaded BBQ chicken flatbred, I added some red bell pepper and red onion.
Optional toppings:
Parmesan cheese. Optional but recommended for an extra burst of umami. Plus, who doesn't love freshly grated parm on anything?
Cilantro. I love adding this fresh herb and find it pairs well with the sweet spice of BBQ sauce.
Avocado green goddess dressing. You can easily bring together any recipe with a yummy, creamy sauce. I make my own homemade green goddess dressing, but you can use any store-bought sauce you like too.
The complete ingredient list with measurements can be found in the recipe card below.
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 400F.
In a small bowl whisk together olive oil, garlic, oregano and red pepper flakes. Brush the oil mixture over the top of the flatbread. Place the flatbread directly on the bottom rack of the oven for about 10 minutes to get the crust crispy (for a softer crust, place on a baking sheet).
Once the crust is ready, place it on a baking sheet and spread an even layer of BBQ sauce on the crust. Layer with cheese (save some to add at the end), chicken, bell peppers, red onion and an additional layer of cheese. Top with parmesan cheese and place in the oven for 10-15 minutes or until the cheese has melted.
Top with cilantro, a drizzle of additional BBQ sauce and avocado green goddess dressing if desired and slice into 9 equal sized- pieces.
Substitutions and Variations
One thing I love about flatbreads is you can get as creative as you like with the toppings! That's why I love using them as a clean out the fridge meal. Feel free to add any vegetable toppings you like such as broccoli, shredded zucchini or even riced cauliflower.
If you don't prefer avocado green goddess dressings, try another sauce like garlic aioli or ranch.
Equipment
Storage
This BBQ chicken flatbread stores well in the fridge for up to 4 days in an airtight container. You may also freeze leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 months.
To reheat from frozen, place in the oven at 350F for about 15-20 minutes.
Top Tips for Success
To make this recipe easy, I like to purchase a pre-cooked barbeque rotisserie chicken to save me the time of cooking the chicken.
Don’t forget to save about ¼ of the cheese to sprinkle on AFTER adding the remaining toppings! This is a great way to make sure all your toppings stay on the flatbread while also creating the most cheesy flatbread.
If you have time I highly recommend shredding your own cheese as opposed to purchasing pre-shredded. Pre-shredded options have additives that make it harder for it to spread once melted!
Frequently Asked Questions
This flatbread has carbs and a protein source; we're just lacking some veggies and fibre. My personal favourite options include cucumber and carrot salad and my kale crunch salad.
No you don’t! I personally think it just adds a bit of freshness to this pizza but you can also easily leave it off.
Set temperature to medium on both sides of the grill (leaving the middle heat OFF). Brush each side of the flatbread with the olive oil mixture. Place the flatbread in the middle of the grill between the two sources of heat and allow to cook for about 2-3 minutes per side.
Once the flatbread is warm-spread BBQ sauce over the flatbread, and layer with toppings. Close the grill and cook for 10-15 more minutes, or until the cheese is melted. Remove from the grill, slice, and serve hot.
Yes you absolutely can! Just load the flatbread up with toppings and wrap it tightly with saran wrap or tin foil. To reheat at 375F for about 12-15 minutes!
More Easy Meal Recipes
Weeknight dinners have never been more delicious and simple with these recipes!
- Grilled Pesto Chicken Flatbread
- 15 Minute Air Fryer Tortilla Pizzas
- Greek Smashed Turkey Burger Pitas
- One Pan Vegetarian Mexican Taco Skillet
See you in the kitchen!
PS. I love seeing my recipes in action! If you decide to make these BBQ chicken flatbreads, don't forget to snap a photo and tag me on Instagram- @nourishedbynic or leave a comment and rating below letting me know how you liked it!
📖 Recipe
Loaded BBQ Chicken Flatbread
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 clove garlic pressed
- ½ teaspoon oregano
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes plus more for topping
- 1 x 8x10” flatbread
- ⅓ cup low sugar BBQ sauce
- 1.5 cups mozzarella cheese shredded
- 1 cup shredded or cubed chicken rotisserie or thin sliced chicken breast
- 1 red bell pepper thinly sliced
- ¼ cup red onion thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoon parmesan cheese
For topping:
- 2 tablespoon cilantro chopped
- 2 tablespoon avocado green goddess dressing you can use THIS recipe
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400F.
- In a small bowl whisk together olive oil, garlic, oregano and red pepper flakes. Brush the oil mixture over the top of the flatbread. Place the flatbread directly on the bottom rack of the oven for about 10 minutes to get the crust crispy (for a softer crust, place on a baking sheet).
- Once the crust is ready, place it on a baking sheet and spread an even layer of BBQ sauce on the crust. Layer with cheese (save some to add at the end), chicken, bell peppers, red onion and an additional layer of cheese. Top with parmesan cheese.
- Place in the oven for 10-15 minutes or until the cheese has melted. If desired, change the oven to broil for the final 5 minutes to get the cheese browned.
- Top with cilantro, a drizzle of additional BBQ sauce and avocado green goddess dressing if desired and slice into 9 equal sized- pieces.
Gina says
I check back daily for new recipes on what you’re cooking up. Keep it up and thanks for keeping it creative (and easy!)
Jenna Gowdy says
My family absolutely loves this flatbread recipe. We’ve done it in the oven, but next time we’ll give it a try on the BBQ to change it up. So yummy!
Diane Hunt says
This was so good and easy to put together. I added extra red peppers and onions, and it had California Pizza Kitchen vibes, but better!
Kim says
So easy to make. Love it!!!
Nicole Addison says
A STAPLE summer dinner!! My family LOVED this one (I made two flatbreads and they were gone in under 5 minutes! I hope you love it as much as we did!