BBQ Chicken French Bread Pizza
This BBQ Chicken French Bread Pizza is a quick, flavorful, and easy-to-make dish combining smoky BBQ chicken, melted mozzarella cheese, and crunchy toasted French bread. Ready in under 30 minutes, it’s perfect for busy weeknights or casual gatherings, offering a delicious twist on traditional pizza with customizable toppings and a satisfying crispy crust.
- Author: Mary
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Base
- 1 French bread loaf (preferably day-old for extra crispiness)
- Olive oil, for brushing
BBQ Chicken Topping
- 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded or diced
- 1/2 cup BBQ sauce (choose your favorite brand or homemade)
Cheese and Veggies
- 1 to 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup sliced red onion
- Fresh cilantro, chopped (optional, for garnish)
- Preheat and Prepare the Bread: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Slice the French bread loaf in half lengthwise. Lightly brush both cut sides with olive oil to ensure a crispy, golden crust after baking.
- Mix Chicken with BBQ Sauce: In a medium bowl, combine the shredded or diced cooked chicken with the BBQ sauce until all pieces are evenly coated, creating a flavorful mixture.
- Assemble the Pizza: Evenly spoon the BBQ chicken mixture over the oiled French bread halves. Generously sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese on top, followed by sliced red onions or any other desired toppings.
- Bake Until Golden: Place the prepared bread pizzas on a baking sheet and bake in the preheated oven for 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly, lightly browned, and the bread edges are crispy.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove the pizzas from the oven and sprinkle chopped fresh cilantro over the top, if desired. Allow to cool for a few minutes before slicing and serving.
Notes
- Use day-old French bread for a sturdier and crunchier crust that holds toppings better.
- Do not overload toppings to ensure even cooking and a balanced crust-cheese ratio.
- Cook chicken ahead of time to save preparation time and ensure tender results.
- Choose a quality BBQ sauce to enhance the dish’s flavor.
- Watch the oven while baking as cheese browns quickly and may burn if unattended.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of the pizza
- Calories: 360 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 670 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 65 mg
Keywords: BBQ chicken pizza, French bread pizza, quick dinner, easy pizza recipe, smoky BBQ, weeknight meal, cheesy pizza, crispy crust