Description
This BBQ Chicken French Bread Pizza is a quick and delicious homemade pizza perfect for weeknight dinners or casual gatherings. Using French bread as the base, it’s topped generously with tangy barbecue sauce, shredded cooked chicken, red onions, and melted mozzarella cheese, then baked to bubbly perfection. A sprinkle of fresh cilantro adds a lovely finishing touch, making this pizza both flavorful and easy to make in just 25 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Pizza:
- 1 loaf French bread (or homemade French bread)
- 1 cup barbecue sauce
- 2 cups shredded Mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 pound cooked, shredded chicken breast (rotisserie chicken works great)
- 1/4 cup sliced red onion
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Freshly chopped cilantro (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375 degrees F and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or foil to prevent sticking and for easy cleanup.
- Prepare the Bread: Slice the loaf of French bread in half lengthwise, trying to cut as evenly as possible to create two flat surfaces for the toppings. Place the halves cut-side up on the prepared baking sheet.
- Add Sauce and Cheese: Spread the barbecue sauce evenly over both pieces of bread. Sprinkle about 1/2 cup of shredded Mozzarella cheese on each bread half over the barbecue sauce.
- Top with Chicken and Onion: Evenly distribute the shredded cooked chicken breast and sliced red onion over the cheese layer on both halves. Then sprinkle the remaining Mozzarella cheese over the top of the toppings.
- Bake the Pizza: Place the baking sheet in the oven and bake for 12 to 15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and slightly golden.
- Season and Rest: Remove the pizza carefully from the oven. Season with salt and pepper to taste and let it rest for 5 minutes to allow flavors to settle and the cheese to set slightly.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle freshly chopped cilantro over the pizza if desired, slice into portions, and serve hot. Enjoy your easy homemade BBQ Chicken French Bread Pizza!
Notes
- Using rotisserie chicken saves time and adds great flavor, but any cooked shredded chicken will work.
- Adjust the amount of barbecue sauce to your taste preference for more or less tang.
- Fresh cilantro is optional but adds a nice fresh contrast to the rich flavors.
- French bread should be sturdy enough to hold toppings without getting soggy.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator and reheated in the oven for best texture.
