BBQ Flatbread Pizza

BBQ flatbread pizza is the recipe I make when everyone wants pizza and nobody wants to wait on dough. There is no kneading, no rolling and no rising. Instead, a soft flatbread goes straight onto the sheet pan, just like my buffalo chicken flatbread, and dinner is ready faster than delivery. When I do have time to make dough from scratch, I save it for an at-home date night pizza.

What I love most is how much flavor you get for so little effort. Sweet and smoky barbecue sauce, tender chicken, melted Colby Jack and thin slices of red onion come together in about ten minutes in the oven. As a result, it has become a regular on our table for busy weeknights, and it sits happily next to the best tailgating dip when friends come over for one of our elevated game nights.

Equally important, it is easy to scale. Make two flatbreads for dinner, or bake a few extra, slice them small and set them out with an epic French fry board and a fresh veggie tray for a crowd. Either way, the edges come out crisp, the cheese is bubbly, and there is rarely a slice left.

What Is BBQ Flatbread Pizza?

BBQ flatbread pizza is a quick pizza that uses ready-made flatbread, such as naan, as the crust and barbecue sauce in place of tomato sauce. The flatbread is topped with cooked chicken, grated cheese and red onion, then baked at 400°F for 10 to 12 minutes, until the cheese melts and the bottom turns slightly crisp. A handful of fresh cilantro goes on at the end. Because the crust is already baked, the whole recipe takes about 20 minutes from start to finish.

BBQ Flatbread Pizza Ingredients (With Purpose & Flavor Notes)

You only need six ingredients, and each one has a job to do:

Flatbread

Flatbread is the ideal substitute when you do not want to make pizza dough. It has great flavor on its own, and it comes in different shapes and sizes. I use naan, which bakes up soft in the middle and crisp on the bottom.

Barbecue Sauce

Use any brand or flavor that makes your taste buds happy. I prefer a sweet and spicy sauce, because it gives the flatbread a sweet and savory flavor. Whichever you choose, make sure it is thick, since a thin sauce soaks into the bread.

Cooked Chicken

You can cook the chicken yourself, buy it pre-cooked, or use leftovers from a previous meal, like my spicy chicken rice bowl. Rotisserie chicken is a great shortcut, and any extra can go into a pot of white bean chicken soup later in the week.

Colby & Monterey Jack Cheese

This blend melts beautifully and has a mild, creamy flavor that lets the barbecue sauce shine. Pre-shredded cheese makes life a little easier. However, if you have time, I highly recommend grating it yourself, because it melts and tastes better.

Red Onion

Thinly sliced red onion softens in the oven and adds a little sweetness and bite against the rich cheese.

Fresh Cilantro

Cilantro goes on after baking for a fresh, bright finish and a pop of color.

How To Make BBQ Flatbread Pizza

The full amounts and printable instructions are in the recipe card below, but here is how it comes together:

Step 1: Preheat the Oven

Preheat the oven to 400°F and place the flatbreads on a sheet pan.

Step 2: Spread the Sauce

Spread ¼ cup of barbecue sauce over each flatbread, leaving a small border around the edge.

Step 3: Add the Cheese

Evenly distribute the grated Colby & Monterey Jack cheese over the sauce.

Step 4: Add the Chicken and Onion

Scatter the cooked chicken evenly over the cheese, then top with the sliced red onion.

Step 5: Bake

Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, until the cheese has melted and the bottom of the flatbread is slightly crisp. Be careful, because the top will be hot and bubbly.

Step 6: Finish and Serve

Top with fresh cilantro, slice and enjoy while it is warm.

KEEP HOSTING

Build out the spread — a second easy flatbread, a refreshing pour, and a board for the whole crew.

RECIPE

Buffalo Chicken Flatbread Pizza

Another easy, crowd-pleasing flatbread for your next casual night.

Get the Recipe →

COCKTAIL

Cranberry Moscow Mule

A zippy, refreshing pour that pairs perfectly with smoky BBQ.

Pour a Glass →

ENTERTAINING

The Perfect Fried Goat Cheese Board

Round out the table with a warm, shareable board for the crew.

Keep Reading →

BBQ Flatbread Pizza Variations

Once you have made it as written, this flatbread is easy to change up:

Use Pulled Pork

Swap the chicken for leftover shredded pulled pork for an even smokier flatbread.

Add Bacon

Crumbled crispy bacon is a natural match for barbecue sauce, and I firmly believe bacon on pizza is life-changing.

Change the Cheese

Smoked gouda adds depth, mozzarella gives you more stretch, and pepper jack brings a little heat.

Turn Up the Heat

Add sliced jalapeños before baking, or choose a spicy barbecue sauce.

Add Pineapple

A handful of small pineapple pieces adds a sweet, juicy contrast to the smoky sauce.

Make It Vegetarian

Leave out the chicken and add black beans, corn and extra red onion instead.

When I Love Serving BBQ Flatbread Pizza

This is one of those recipes that fits almost any occasion, and here is where it shows up most often at my table:

Busy Weeknights

With cooked chicken on hand, dinner is ready in about 20 minutes, which is faster than ordering in.

Game Day Spreads

Sliced into strips, it disappears quickly at a tailgate. It would have been right at home at our UT vs. UGA tailgate.

Family Pizza Night

Let everyone top their own flatbread. Kids love being in charge of the cheese.

Casual Get-Togethers

Bake a few flatbreads, slice them small and serve them as an appetizer while guests settle in.

Movie Night

It is easy to eat on the couch, and extra barbecue sauce on the side makes it feel like a treat.

Easy Lunches

One flatbread makes a quick lunch for two, especially with a simple salad on the side.

What To Serve With BBQ Flatbread Pizza

To round out the meal, I like to add something crisp and something cold:

Chicken Cobb Salad

My easy chicken Cobb mason jar salad adds crunch and turns the flatbread into a full dinner.

Cucumber Tomato Avocado Salad

A cool cucumber tomato avocado salad balances the sweet, smoky sauce.

Steak Frites

For a bigger dinner spread, serve it alongside my steak frites and let everyone share.

Raspberry Lemonade

A cold glass of raspberry lemonade is refreshing next to barbecue flavors, and kids love it.

Lemonade Prosecco Punch

For the adults, a pitcher of lemonade prosecco punch keeps things light and festive.

BBQ Flatbread Pizza Storage

Refrigerator

Store leftover slices in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Reheating

Reheat slices in a 375°F oven or air fryer for 5 to 8 minutes, until the bottom crisps up again. The microwave works in a pinch, but it softens the flatbread.

Freezer

Wrap cooled slices individually and freeze for up to 2 months. Reheat from frozen in a 375°F oven for 10 to 12 minutes.

Make Ahead

Shred the chicken, grate the cheese and slice the onion up to 2 days ahead, then assemble and bake right before serving.

BBQ Flatbread Pizza FAQs

What kind of flatbread is best for BBQ flatbread pizza?

Naan is my favorite because it is sturdy enough to hold the toppings and crisps well on the bottom. Any pre-baked flatbread of a similar thickness will work.

Which barbecue sauce should I use?

Use the one you love most. I reach for a sweet and spicy sauce, and the only rule is that it should be thick.

Can I use rotisserie chicken?

Yes. Rotisserie chicken, leftover grilled chicken or any pre-cooked chicken works well.

How do I keep the flatbread from getting soggy?

Use a thick sauce, keep the layer thin, and bake until the bottom is slightly crisp.

Can I make BBQ flatbread pizza in an air fryer?

Yes, as long as the flatbread fits in the basket. Cook at 375°F for 5 to 7 minutes, until the cheese is melted, and check it early since air fryers vary.

Can I grill it instead?

You can. Place the topped flatbread on a medium grill, close the lid and cook for 5 to 8 minutes, until the cheese melts.

Final Thoughts

SAVE NOW, MAKE LATER!