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Looking for an easy way to use up leftover chicken or bacon? These BBQ chicken flatbread pizzas are perfect for weeknight dinners, game day snacks or even a fun lunch. They’re bursting with smoky flavor and gooey cheese, and they come together quickly using store-bought flatbread. You can add your own spin with different toppings, and the fresh cilantro and BBQ drizzle at the end take them over the top. Flatbread pizza is always a win when you want a satisfying, simple meal.

Rectangular pizza topped with red onions, cilantro, and sauce on a wooden board, one slice being served—enjoy easy BBQ chicken pizza inspired by Panera’s popular barbecue chicken flatbread right at home.

These BBQ chicken flatbread pizzas are smoky, cheesy and super quick to make. Customize them with your favorite toppings for a fast and flavorful homemade meal.

Pizza lovers might also enjoy this sheet pan Caprese pizza, pizza zucchini boats or what about cute heart-shaped pizzas?

Stack of chicken quesadillas garnished with fresh cilantro and sliced red onions on a dark plate—perfect inspiration to make flatbread pizza at home, like easy BBQ chicken pizza.

Why You’ll Love It

A great copycat recipe: Whether you want to recreate your favorite pizza recipes from California Pizza Kitchen or you’re more of a Panera fan, you’ll love how similar this grilled chicken, bacon and red onion pizza is.
Simple to make: Begin with a prepared flatbread and then cook chicken and bacon, arrange that with the other ingredients and bake.
Impressive: You don’t have to tell anyone else at the table how easy this recipe is to make. Enjoy their praise, because you’ll definitely get it!

Flatbread topped with chicken, red onions, green onions, cilantro, and sauce on a wooden board—just like a BBQ Chicken Flatbread Pizza from Panera.

Chicken Bacon Flatbread Ingredients

A complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the recipe card below.

Flatbread crust: Acts as the base for this quick and easy pizza.
Chicken breast: Adds lean protein and soaks up the BBQ flavor beautifully.
Bacon: Gives a smoky, salty bite that pairs perfectly with sweet BBQ sauce.
Red onion: Brings a sharp, slightly sweet crunch to balance the rich toppings.
Green onion: Adds a subtle sharp flavor to the pizzas.
Carrot: Adds color and a touch of natural sweetness.
Shredded mozzarella: Melts beautifully for a gooey, cheesy finish.
BBQ sauce: The main flavor star that ties everything together.
Cilantro: Cilantro adds brightness and freshness.
Spices: Salt and black pepper season the chicken and enhance overall flavor.

Flatbread, raw fish, shredded cheese, red onion, carrots, cilantro, oil, and sauce on a wooden board—ideal inspiration if you want to make flatbread pizza at home.

How to Make Flatbread Pizza at Home

For more detailed instructions with weights and measurements, jump to the printable recipe card.

Season and cook the chicken: Season with salt and pepper, then cook in bacon grease until done.
Cook the bacon: Cut and fry until crisp, then set aside.
Prepare the toppings: Slice onion, shave carrot, chop herbs and shred the cheese.
Assemble the pizza: Spread BBQ sauce on the flatbread, add cheese, BBQ chicken, bacon, onion and carrot.
Bake the flatbread: Cook in a hot oven until the crust is crisp and the cheese is melted.
Garnish and serve: Add more BBQ sauce, cilantro and green onions before slicing.

Stacked slices of BBQ Chicken Flatbread Pizzas topped with red onions, cilantro, and melted cheese on a table—an easy way to make flatbread pizza at home.

Substitutions and Variations

Use rotisserie chicken: A great shortcut if you’re in a hurry.
Swap the cheese: Any cheese will work great with this flatbread, a mozzarella and provolone mix is traditional although sharp cheddar is delicious, gouda would be good, and pepper jack would give it a little extra heat.
Add veggies: Bell peppers or jalapeños would work well here.
Try a different crust: Use naan, pita or gluten-free flatbread.
Grill it: This flatbread also tastes great when cooked on a high rack in a grill, just be extra cautious not to burn the bottom.
Add some heat: For an extra kick add pickled jalapeño peppers or pepperoncini.

Rectangular BBQ Chicken Flatbread Pizza on a wooden board, topped with cheese, red onions, cilantro, and green onions—just like Panera and made in under 30 minutes.

Serving Suggestions

With a salad: Peach panzanella would be good with BBQ chicken flatbreads, or you might prefer a lemon parmesan chopped salad or fennel orange salad.
With other sides: These bacon wrapped tater tots are really good, or you might prefer air fry onion rings or gouda cream cheese corn.

Stack of pizza slices topped with cilantro, red onion, and barbecue sauce—these BBQ Chicken Flatbread Pizzas are made in under 30 minutes for a quick and tasty meal.

How to Store Flatbread Pizza

Store: Keep leftovers covered and refrigerated and eat within 3 days.
Freeze: You can freeze this as long as you don’t add the green onions or cilantro first because they’ll go mushy. Double-bag the leftovers first to avoid freezer burn.
Thaw: Defrost in the refrigerator overnight.
Reheat: You can microwave leftovers to warm them back up. Another method is to put the flatbread pizza in a dry nonstick skillet, add a few drops of water around it and cover with a lid. Heat the burner gently and the water will turn to steam, warming the toppings up while the crust crisps back up on the hot metal.

Close-up of BBQ pulled pork on bread, topped with red onions and cilantro, on a wooden board—deliciously inspired by barbecue chicken flatbread like Panera and made in under 30 minutes.

Top Tips

Use cooked chicken: Saves time and ensures the meat is juicy and tender.
Watch the oven closely: Flatbreads cook fast, so don’t walk away.
Don’t overload with sauce: Too much BBQ sauce can make the crust soggy.
Layer cheese wisely: Start with a little under the toppings and more on top for best melt.

Make flatbread pizza at home with this barbecue chicken flatbread, inspired by Panera. Topped with barbecue sauce, red onions, chicken, and fresh cilantro on a wooden board—made in under 30 minutes.

Chicken Bacon Flatbread FAQs

What’s the difference between flatbread and pizza?

The main difference is the dough. Pizza dough has yeast and a pizza is typically topped with tomato sauce and cheese. So BBQ chicken flatbread Panera style, for example, is unyeasted and therefore a flatbread. Flatbread has a thinner crust and the sauce isn’t always tomato. Most pizzas have more toppings than flatbreads or are at least more generously topped.

Can I cook this on a grill instead of in the oven?

Yes, grilling works great. Use indirect heat and watch for crisping.

Easy BBQ chicken pizza made in under 30 minutes—this flatbread is topped with cheese, red onions, cilantro, and sauce, all served on a wooden board. Make flatbread pizza at home for a quick and delicious meal.

BBQ Chicken Flatbread Pizza Recipe

Rectangular BBQ Chicken Flatbread Pizza topped with cilantro, red onions, chicken, and cheese on a wooden board—one slice being served. Make flatbread pizza at home for a tasty barbecue chicken flatbread like Panera.
Print
5 from 14 votes

BBQ Chicken Flatbread Pizzas

By: Bella Bucchiotti
This BBQ chicken flatbread pizza recipe is fast, flavorful and customizable. It's perfect when you want a cheesy, savory meal without much effort.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 6 minutes
Total Time: 21 minutes
Servings: 4

Equipment

Ingredients 

  • 1 flatbread crust, readymade
  • 1 chicken breast
  • 6 Ounces bacon
  • ½ red onion
  • 1 carrot
  • 1 Bag mozzarella, shredded, or your favorite cheese
  • ½ Cup BBQ sauce

Garnishes

  • cilantro, fresh
  • green onions, sliced
  • black pepper

Instructions 

Cook the Chicken and Bacon

  • Season the chicken breast thoroughly with salt and pepper. Set aside.
  • Cut bacon into 1-inch pieces and fry in a pan until cooked through.
  • Remove the cooked bacon from the pan and drain most of the grease from the pan, reserving a bit in the pan to cook the chicken with.
  • Using the same pan with the reserved bacon grease, cook chicken breast until the center reaches 165°F. Set the chicken aside to cool.
  • Preheat oven to 500°F.

Prepare the Veggies

  • Slice the red onion thinly, and set aside.
  • Using a peeler, peel your carrot, then continue to create thin slices of the carrot using your peeler.
  • Chop up 2 to 3 green onions, and remove the leaves from a few sprigs of cilantro.

Add the Pizza Toppings

  • When the chicken is cool enough to handle, pull it apart into chunks, then mix in a bowl with a couple spoonfuls of your BBQ sauce.
  • Take your flatbread out and place on a cutting board or pizza peel. Brush the top of the flatbread with BBQ sauce.
  • Sprinkle a light layer of cheese over the sauce, then cover with the BBQ chicken pieces.
  • Cover the chicken with a layer of the cooked bacon, then a thick layer of cheese.
  • Add the onions and the carrots to the top of the pizza.

Bake Until Done

  • Carefully transfer your flatbread directly to a rack in the center of your preheated oven.
  • Cook for 6 or 7 minutes, checking on the pizza frequently – it may need more or less time depending on your oven.

Add Garnishes

  • When the flatbread is ready, very carefully remove from the oven and place on a cutting board.
  • Top the flatbread with green onions, cilantro, fresh black pepper, and a drizzle of BBQ sauce, then slice and serve hot.

Notes

Use cooked chicken: Saves time and ensures the meat is juicy and tender.
Watch the oven closely: Flatbreads cook fast, so don’t walk away.
Don’t overload with sauce: Too much BBQ sauce can make the crust soggy.
Layer cheese wisely: Start with a little under the toppings and more on top for best melt.

Nutrition

Calories: 547kcal | Carbohydrates: 23g | Protein: 14g | Fat: 44g | Saturated Fat: 17g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 77mg | Sodium: 563mg | Potassium: 373mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 13g | Vitamin A: 2647IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 33mg | Iron: 1mg
Like this recipe? Rate and comment below!
Flatbread, raw fish, shredded cheese, red onion, carrots, cilantro, oil, and sauce on a wooden board—ideal inspiration if you want to make flatbread pizza at home.
Chopped bacon in a cast iron skillet with carrots, flatbread, cheese, and herbs on a kitchen counter—perfect ingredients for an easy BBQ chicken pizza made in under 30 minutes.
Shredded barbecue chicken in a white bowl with a fork, surrounded by veggies and flatbread on a table—perfect for making barbecue chicken flatbread like Panera at home.
Seasoned chicken breast cooking in a black skillet, perfect for easy BBQ chicken pizza, with vegetables and bread on a wooden board nearby.
Rectangular pizza crust on a wooden board, topped with barbecue sauce—an easy BBQ chicken pizza made in under 30 minutes; fresh ingredients surround it.
Flatbread topped with chicken, red onions, green onions, cilantro, and sauce on a wooden board—just like a BBQ Chicken Flatbread Pizza from Panera.

These BBQ chicken flatbread pizzas deliver on all fronts. They’re fast, satisfying and loaded with savory toppings that will please everyone at the table. Whether you’re using up leftovers or making them from scratch, they’re sure to become a new go-to recipe. Add your favorite extras or keep it simple and classic. However you serve them, these BBQ chicken flatbread pizzas are always a hit.

Other Recipes to Try

    Enjoy BBQ Chicken Flatbread Pizza topped with red onions and cilantro, just like Panera. Make flatbread pizza at home for a delicious, easy meal!.
    Close-up of stacked BBQ Chicken Flatbread Pizzas with bacon, red onion, and cilantro on a plate—make flatbread pizza at home for a barbecue chicken flatbread like Panera’s.
    Bella Bucchiotti

    Bella Bucchiotti is a Canadian-based syndicated food, travel, and lifestyle writer, photographer, and creator at xoxoBella. She founded xoxoBella in 2015, where she shares her love for food, dogs, sustainability, fitness, crafts, outdoor adventures, travel, and philanthropy to encourage others to run the extra mile, try new recipes, visit unfamiliar places, and stand for a cause. Bella creates stress-free and family-friendly recipes for weeknight dinners and festive feasts.

     

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    Recipe Rating




    5 from 14 votes (2 ratings without comment)

    14 Comments

    5. 5 stars
      This looks amazing! I would totally try this meatless since I’m vegetarian. I’m sure it will be delicious too!

      Reply

    7. I always love ordering flatbread at restaurants but have never thought of making some at home. Love the colors and flavors. Can’t believe how easy it is to make it. Thanks for the inspiration.

      Reply