Description
This BBQ Chicken French Bread Pizza is a quick and delicious recipe combining smoky barbecue flavors with gooey melted cheeses on a crispy French bread base. Perfect for a crowd-pleasing lunch or a casual dinner, this recipe features shredded chicken, crispy bacon, red onion, and a flavorful buttered crust baked to golden perfection.
Ingredients
Bread and Butter Mixture
- 1 loaf French bread or Italian bread
- ½ cup unsalted butter (softened)
- ½ tsp garlic salt
- ½ tsp dried parsley
Toppings
- BBQ sauce (your favorite; amount to taste)
- 8 oz smoked gouda (shredded, not pre-shredded)
- 8 oz mozzarella (shredded, not pre-shredded)
- 3 cups shredded chicken (rotisserie recommended)
- 5 strips thick-cut bacon (cooked and crumbled)
- ¼-½ cup red onion (very thinly sliced)
Garnish
- Fresno chili peppers (chopped)
- Fresh cilantro (chopped)
- Additional red onion slices
- Drizzle of BBQ sauce or ranch dressing for serving
Instructions
- Preheat and prep: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with foil or parchment paper to prevent sticking and facilitate easy cleanup.
- Slice the French bread: Cut the French bread in half lengthwise to create two large pizza-style bases. Place the halves cut side up on the prepared baking sheet. To keep the bread from curling up during baking, press down gently on each half with a second baking sheet or a clean cutting board.
- Make the butter mixture: In a medium bowl, combine the softened unsalted butter, garlic salt, and dried parsley. Mix until smooth and well blended using a spoon or hand mixer.
- Toast the buttered bread: Spread the butter mixture evenly over the cut sides of the French bread halves. Place the bread on the baking sheet and bake for 5 to 8 minutes until the butter melts and the bread begins to toast lightly. Set a timer to avoid burning.
- Prepare toppings: While the bread is toasting, shred the rotisserie chicken if not already shredded, grate the smoked gouda and mozzarella cheese, slice the red onion very thinly, and crumble the cooked thick-cut bacon. Combine the shredded cheeses in one bowl for easier layering.
- Add BBQ sauce: Remove the toasted bread from the oven and brush or spread a generous layer of BBQ sauce over each bread half, making sure to cover the surface completely towards the edges according to your taste preference.
- Assemble the pizza: Layer half of the cheese mixture evenly over the BBQ sauce. Spread the shredded chicken over the cheese and add more BBQ sauce on top if desired. Next, sprinkle the crumbled bacon and thinly sliced red onion evenly. Finish by topping with the remaining cheese.
- Bake: Return the assembled pizza to the oven and bake for 12 to 15 minutes or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and beginning to turn golden. For an extra golden and slightly crispy top, broil the pizza for an additional 1 to 2 minutes, watching carefully to prevent burning.
- Garnish: Remove the pizza from the oven and top with chopped Fresno chili peppers, fresh cilantro, and additional red onion slices for a fresh, spicy kick.
- Cut & serve: Slice the French bread pizza into portions and serve warm. Offer extra BBQ sauce or ranch dressing on the side for drizzling or dunking. Enjoy your flavorful BBQ Chicken French Bread Pizza!
Notes
- For best flavor, use freshly shredded cheese instead of pre-shredded to avoid anti-caking agents.
- Pressing the bread during the first bake helps prevent the edges from curling and keeps the toppings intact.
- Rotisserie chicken is a time-saver and adds great flavor, but any cooked chicken will work.
- You can customize the heat by adjusting the amount of Fresno chili peppers or adding jalapeños.
- Serving with ranch or extra BBQ sauce adds a creamy or tangy complement to the smoky flavors.
