BBQ Chicken Flatbread Pizza Recipe

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This BBQ Chicken Flatbread Pizza Recipe has a homemade pizza crust, tangy and creamy BBQ sauce, shredded chicken, and cheese! Great for pizza night or any family dinner!   

THIS is the recipe that will blow your socks off!  I’m talking, one bite, socks off and blown clear across the room!  This is my BBQ Chicken Flatbread Pizza Recipe!  It has a homemade soft and pillowy pizza dough that gets perfectly crisp on the bottom.  It’s topped with a tangy and creamy sauce BBQ sauce and then hearty shredded BBQ chicken.  Then cheddar cheese melts over top for a nutty and chewy texture. 

The final blow-your-socks-off topping?  Wait for it… COLESLAW ON TOP (yup, scroll down)!  I’m telling you, it’s a delicious way to use coleslaw and adds amazing flavor and crunch.

I have to admit that I’m not a huge BBQ fan.  I like it, but I don’t crave it.  That is…until I had it on THIS BBQ Chicken Flatbread Pizza Recipe!  There’s just something about putting it on a homemade flatbread or pizza crust and then topping it with cheese that makes it irresistible!   

Use Leftover Chicken! Make Once, Eat Twice

This is a great recipe to use leftover BBQ chicken for!  Make a big pot of BBQ Chicken for sandwiches and then save some to go on this pizza!  For more leftover protein ideas for easy meals, check out this FREE Printable Download: 30 Leftover Protein Dinner Ideas!

Quick note!  This post contains affiliate links, which means I earn a commission (at no extra cost to you) if you purchase from them.  This commission is what helps me keep this blog afloat :).  But, I also share these links because I have used the products, genuinely love them, and want you to know exactly what I used. 

Simple Ingredients and Substitutes

Flatbread (Pizza) Dough

• Active Dry Yeast (1 packet) – For this recipe, you will let the dough rise. so you want regular active dry yeast, not instant yeast.
• Sugar, granulated – Yeast feeds on the sugar, so it is really needed in this recipe.
• Lukewarm water (around 90 F degrees) – Tap water is fine here, but be careful that the temperature is not hot. If the temperature is too hot or even too cold, it can kill the yeast and you will not have a dough that rises.
• All Purpose Flour – I use regular AP white flour in this recipe. You do not need bread flour or any other special flour. I have not made this recipe using whole wheat or gluten free flour.
• Salt – Kosher salt or table salt is best in this recipe.
• Olive Oil – The olive oil is used in the dough recipe, then again to coat the bowl so the outside of the dough so it can rise smoothly without sticking to the bowl.

BBQ Chicken

• Chicken Breast, boneless and skinless – I used boneless skinless chicken breast, but you can also use boneless skinless chicken thighs. Easier yet is to use rotisserie chicken already cooked! I always have raw chicken breasts in the freezer ready for chicken recipes as they can last up to 12 months if in an airtight container or packaging. Check out all of my tips on Prepping and Storing Chicken for Easier Dinners.
• Salt and Ground Black Pepper – this is to season the water to cook the chicken.
• BBQ Sauce – You will mix a little bit of the barbecue sauce in with the shredded chicken to give it flavor and keep it moist. Use your favorite brand or homemade BBQ sauce recipe.

Sauce and Toppings

• BBQ Sauce – Rather than tomato sauce, you will be adding a layer of the BBQ sauce mixed with sour cream to the flatbread pizza, so make sure it’s a brand or variety that you really love the flavor of.
• Sour Cream – I like to mix the sour cream into the BBQ to give it a bit more body and mellow out some of the sweetness and tang. You don’t have to add it if you don’t want. You could also substitute melted cream cheese for more cheesiness or plain greek yogurt for more tang.
• Shredded Cheddar Cheese – White cheddar or yellow cheddar works here. You can substitute mozzarella cheese or other types of cheeses, such as Colby jack cheese, Monterey Jack or even gouda cheese.
• Fresh Cilantro leaves – I absolutely love the freshness and flavor that cilantro adds to this flatbread. You can leave it out if you really don’t like cilantro. You could substitute fresh parsley or another fresh herb.

Coleslaw (optional)

• Coleslaw Mix – Buying the pre-shredded mix from the produce section of the grocery store is the easiest way to go. You could also shred green cabbage, Napa cabbage, Red/purple cabbage, or a combination. You can also add in finely sliced red onion or green onions and shredded carrot if you like.
• Mayonnaise – Mayonnaise brings the creaminess to this dressing. You can substitute it with plain greek yogurt.
• Yellow Mustard – I like the tang and sweetness of the yellow mustard for this recipe, but you can substitute in dijon mustard or course mustard.
• Salt and Ground Black Pepper – I used coarse ground. Add to taste.

Check the recipe card below for exact measurements.

Simple Equipment and Tools

Nothing special for this one! Just a large pizza pan, large baking sheet, or large sheet pan (I use a 17×11). Also a small-medium pot for the chicken.

Oh, I also like to cut my raw chicken with kitchen shears, but you can also just cut with a knife.

Prep-ahead Steps for BBQ Chicken Flatbread Recipe

We are all extremely busy and making dinner during the week can be overwhelming. Here are the steps you prepare in the day(s) in advance.  (See the full recipe below)

For this recipe, you can

1. Cook and shred the BBQ chicken up to 4 days in advance. 
2. Make the coleslaw 2-3 days in advance
3. Make the dough 30 min before baking or in the morning and let rise during the day. 
4. Then roll the dough out, top, and bake it that night!

Prep your Flatbread Dough first – it needs 30 min to rise

Mix the active dry yeast and sugar in a large bowl and add the warm water. Stir to dissolve the yeast and sugar. Mix in the rest of the pizza ingredients to make dough.

Transfer the dough to a floured surface and knead for 5 minutes until smooth and elastic.

Then transfer to a large bowl coated with olive oil to rise.

When the dough has doubled in size, punch it down and then cut it in half. 

TIP: If you split the dough in half, you will get 2 large pizzas with a relatively thick crust.  Not deep dish, but not super thin.  If you prefer really thin, split the dough into thirds.

If you are not yet ready to move on to rolling the dough and assembling your pizza, you can store it in the fridge covered.

Prep BBQ Chicken

Bring a pot of water (about 3 cups) to a boil with 2 teaspoon salt and 1 teaspoon pepper. While water is warming, cut the chicken into 2-inch pieces so equal in size. They will be shredded, so don’t worry, this just helps it to cook faster. Add the chicken gently to the boiling water and then cook for 10 minutes or until cooked through (internal temp is 165F).

Remove the chicken to a plate to cool enough to handle. Save ½ cup of the cooking broth. When cool enough, shred the chicken into small pieces with your fingers.

Add the shredded chicken back to the pot with ½ cup of the reserved cooking broth and ½ cup of your favorite BBQ sauce. I love KC Masterpiece Original for this recipe because of the deep flavor from the molasses and spices.  Stir and simmer for 5 minutes.

Mix the coleslaw mix with the mayonnaise and mustard. Season with salt and pepper. Store in the fridge until ready to serve, it gets better if it sits for an hour or overnight!

Cook the BBQ Chicken Flatbread Pizza

Preheat the oven to 400 F degrees.

When you are ready to make the pizza, roll out the dough to the size and shape of your pan. You can stretch the dough out slowly in the air by turning it around with your fist and fingers. Or you can roll it out on a floured surface.  Place the dough into your pan and then press it out to fill the pan.

For a crispier crust, par-bake it for 10 minutes.

Mix together the BBQ sauce and the sour cream.  I love the addition of the sour cream as it makes the sauce thick and creamy, but also mellows it out a bit so you can add lots without it overwhelming the pizza.

Spoon the sauce onto the crust and spread it around. Add the Chicken on top of the sauce. Then sprinkle a layer of cheese. Finally, sprinkle cilantro leaves (optional).

Bake the pizza in the oven for 15 minutes until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is completely melted.  

Slice the pizza, top each slice with a spoonful of coleslaw, sprinkle with fresh cilantro, and enjoy!  😍 Carrie

BBQ Chicken Flatbread Pizza Recipe FAQs

Can I use pre-made pizza dough or store-bought crust?

Of course!  Life is busy and if you don’t have time to make your own flatbread dough, I totally get it!  Your local grocery store will carry a couple varieties, including the kind that comes in a roll and perhaps a more fresh dough brand.  You can also check the frozen section.   Or check with your favorite pizza place to see if they sell their dough!  If you’re really in a pinch for time, you can pick up ready-to-eat naan bread or packaged flatbread.

Can I use precooked chicken?

Yep!  You can buy a rotisserie chicken or grilled chicken from the deli.  Rather than boil it, just shred the cooked chicken and then follow the recipe from there.  You can use ½ cup of water or broth instead of the cooking liquid.

Do I have to add coleslaw?

Nope, but it TASTES AMAZING!!!!  It gives this pizza a creamy, bright, cool, and crunchy component that is needed with the deep savory and tangy BBQ sauce.  Other toppings to add freshness and/or crunch are sliced scallions, halved cherry tomatoes, diced red or green bell pepper, or roasted corn kernels.  

What to serve with this BBQ Pizza?

You can make this a full-on finger food dinner with my Crispy Parmesan Green Fries or Parmesan Zucchini Chips on the side!  Or how about Roasted Carrots with Avocado Crema?