BBQ Chicken French Bread Pizza

Looking for a quick and tasty dinner idea that everyone will love? This BBQ Chicken French Bread Pizza is a fantastic choice, especially on busy weeknights. With minimal prep and a delightful mix of flavors, it’s sure to become a family favorite. Here’s how to make it:

Ingredients:

• 1 loaf of French bread
• 3/4 cup BBQ sauce (divided)
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 cup cooked and shredded chicken
• 1/4 cup chopped red onion
• 1-2 tablespoons chopped cilantro

Directions:

1. Preheat Oven: Start by preheating your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. This ensures the oven is hot enough to make the bread crispy and melt the cheese perfectly.
2. Prepare the Bread: Cut the French bread loaf in half longitudinally. This will be the base of your pizza, providing a satisfying crunch.
3. Add BBQ Sauce: Spread the BBQ sauce evenly over the top of each bread half, reserving about 2 tablespoons for a final drizzle after baking. The BBQ sauce gives this pizza its unique and tangy flavor base.
4. Cheese It Up: Sprinkle approximately three-quarters of the shredded mozzarella cheese over both halves. Cheese not only adds flavor but also helps in binding the toppings to the bread.
5. Top With Chicken and Onion: Evenly distribute the cooked, shredded chicken and chopped red onions over the cheese. The chicken adds a hearty element to the pizza, while the red onions offer a slight sharpness and crunch.
6. More Cheese: Add the remaining cheese on top. This extra layer of cheese will melt and envelop the chicken and onions in gooey goodness.
7. Bake: Place the assembled French bread on a baking sheet and bake in the oven for about 12-17 minutes. You’re looking for the cheese to be fully melted and starting to turn golden brown.
8. Cool and Garnish: Allow the pizza to cool for about 2 minutes after removing it from the oven. Drizzle the reserved BBQ sauce over the top for an added zing and sprinkle with chopped cilantro for a fresh, herbal touch.
9. Serve: Slice the French bread pizza and serve it warm. Each bite delivers a mouthwatering combination of tangy BBQ sauce, gooey cheese, tender chicken, and fresh cilantro.

Nutritional Information:

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 12-17 minutes
• Total Time: 22-27 minutes
• Calories: 420 kcal per serving
• Servings: 4

This BBQ Chicken French Bread Pizza is not just easy to prepare but also versatile. Feel free to swap out toppings based on what you have at home or to cater to different dietary preferences. Enjoy crafting this delicious meal that brings the flavors of a BBQ and the comfort of pizza together on your dinner table.