BBQ Chicken Flatbread

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This BBQ chicken flatbread is the perfect weeknight meal. It is really quick and easy to make with juicy grilled chicken, melty cheese, tangy BBQ sauce, and crunchy fried onions. A meal your whole family will enjoy!

A bbq chicken flatbread on a pan with another behind it.

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Why You'll Love Barbecue Chicken Flatbread
Ingredient Information and Substitutions
How To Make Naan Flatbread Pizza
Frequently Asked Questions
Tips For Making This Naan Pizza Recipe
What To Serve With Naan Bread Pizza
Other Pizza Recipes To Try
BBQ Chicken Flatbread

Why You'll Love Barbecue Chicken Flatbread

I am totally in the easy-to-throw-together-meal zone right now. Between my insanely delicious pork chops and my stuffed peppers rice skillet, there is nothing standing between me and a quick, delicious dinner (except a hundred million other things I need to get done, and more importantly, spending time with my favorite girls!).

This recipe was inspired by a pretty killer flatbread pizza I had at a local restaurant during my maternity leave. There was tons of crunch from the cut-up chicken fingers and crispy fried onion strings, plus plenty of smoky barbecue sauce, which was exactly what I was craving!

I decided to lighten up my homemade version with grilled chicken and sub in those tasty French fried onions (ya know, the ones that go on green bean casserole at Thanksgiving?), which are kind of my new addiction. But honestly, the only requirement is thick and fluffy naan for the base.

This flatbread bakes up in well under 30 minutes and was such a hit with everyone in our home. It's another excellent weeknight option, particularly for those busy nights when you're shuffling the kids between school and activities. Serve it with a green salad and you're set for a delicious meal the whole family will enjoy! Here are just a few more reasons you'll love using naan bread for pizza:

No mixing or rolling out dough
Throw everything on top and bake
Easy to customize
Kids-approved
Fairly hands-off preparation

A wedge of chicken flatbread with BBQ on a pan with other slices behind it.

Ingredient Information and Substitutions

Naan- Grab this fluffy flatbread from your local bakery or store. Sometimes there are two sizes — I use the large kind when I make this, but you can make everyone their own cute baby pizzas with mini naan.
Grilled chicken- Use leftovers from the night before or cook this earlier in the day so it's ready to go. In a pinch, rotisserie chicken works too.
BBQ sauce- Use your favorite bottled BBQ sauce!
Shredded cheese- Colby has a good balance of flavor and meltability. Mozzarella, Monterey Jack, or even Pepper Jack are good substitutes.
French fried onions- I can't be the only one who always has some in the pantry! Just one more thing that makes this recipe so easy.

An overehead image of labeled recipe ingredients.

How To Make Naan Flatbread Pizza

Step 1- Prep for baking and pre-bake flatbread.

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F and line a sheet pan with parchment paper for quick cleanup.

Place naan on the baking sheet and bake for 10 minutes to get it toasty.

Naan bread on a lined sheet pan and then the pan in the oven.

Step 2- Assemble pizzas.

Spread a thin layer of BBQ sauce on each flatbread, then top with shredded cheese and chicken.

Place the sheet pan back in the oven and bake until the cheese has melted, about 7-10 minutes.

BBQ sauce spread on the pre-baked flatbreads and then cheese and diced chicken added to it.

Step 3- Slice and serve.

Remove pizzas from the oven and sprinkle with crispy onions. Slice each flatbread into 6 pieces (or 4 pieces if using mini naan) and enjoy!

BBQ Chicken pizzas back in the oven and then out with the cheese melted and crispy onions sprinkled on.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you make naan bread crispy?

Baking the naan by itself first creates a crispy base for all your pizza toppings. You can also toast it in a dry skillet for a faster option — and you'll be able to turn your oven off sooner!

What else can I add to BBQ chicken pizza?

Green onions or cilantro are popular toppings — sprinkle them on just before serving. You can always swap the French fried onions for red onion slices instead (though you'll want to add those before baking). And I know it's controversial, but pineapple would taste pretty good with these flavors too!

Can I use a different type of bread?

Yes! Pita is another popular option for flatbread pizza, and lavash will work in a pinch. The key is to use varieties that are fluffy and thick instead of thin (like a tortilla) so they're sturdy enough for slicing and eating.

An overhead image of a naan pizza with bbq chicken on a lined sheet pan.

Tips For Making This Naan Pizza Recipe

Have everything prepped and ready to go. When it's time for dinner, all you need to do is load up the flatbread and pop it in the oven.
Sure, freshly shredded cheese is best, but I won't judge if you grab a pre-shredded bag from the store (I often do!). This recipe is all about quick and easy cooking after all!
Add the fried onions after baking. Otherwise, they could end up burning.
Don't overdo it with the toppings! You just need a thin layer of sauce and a handful of cheese and chicken.
Ingredients to prep ahead- Cut up chicken (and grill first, if needed). Shred cheese if using fresh.
Leftovers and storage- Transfer slices to an airtight container and refrigerate for 2-3 days. Reheat in the oven until warmed through.

A close up image of a bite taken out of a slice of bbq chicken pizza.

What To Serve With Naan Bread Pizza

This artisan flatbread is loaded with meat, cheese, and veggies, so it's basically a complete meal! That said, you can never go wrong with a fresh green salad or your favorite veggies as a side. Here are a few more ways to round out your meal:

Other Pizza Recipes To Try

Love this recipe? Please leave a 5 star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating in the recipe card below ⬇️ and/or a review in the comment section further down. Check out my Amazon Store for all my favorite tools, including those used in this recipe. And follow @thelifejolie on Instagram and TikTok!