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Pesto Chicken Flatbread

ByJill Machovsky Hours Hours Updated on

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This Pesto Chicken Flatbread is one of those easy weeknight wins you’ll come back to again and again. The warm flatbread, creamy pesto, tender chicken, and melty cheese taste like something you’d order at a café, yet it still goes from fridge to table in about 15 minutes. It’s simple, fresh, and exactly what I reach for when I want something homemade that doesn’t take all night.

Grab the ingredients and make these easy flatbreads for your next pizza night!

Pesto Chicken Flatbread Pizza on a plate.

I’ve been making flatbreads for years, especially during the 12 years I ran my meal-assembly business. Quick, customizable dinners like this one were always customer favorites because they work for busy families. This pesto chicken version is one I make at home all the time — especially when I’ve got leftover chicken or a half-empty jar of pesto in the fridge. It also makes an impressive holiday appetizer.

Why You’ll Love East Flatbread Pizza

  • Ready in 15 minutes
  • Uses rotisserie chicken for no-fuss prep or leftover chicken
  • Great for lunch, dinner, or easy appetizers
  • Customizable with veggies or different cheeses
  • Kid-friendly and crowd-pleasing
Three Ways to Cook Chicken Breast 10.25

Free 3 Ways To Cook Chicken PDF

    Ingredients

    Ingredients to make pesto chicken flatbread.

    Recipe Notes

    • Chicken – I have a great way for you to cook up shredded chicken, and it’s in the Instant Pot! Check out how quick and easy it is to turn chicken breasts into shredded chicken in just a few minutes. Rotisserie chicken is also a great option.
    • Flatbread: Naan, store-bought flatbread, or lavash all work.
    • Pesto: Jarred pesto is perfect for this. Use homemade if you’ve got basil to use up.
    • Mozzarella: Shredded melts easily, fresh mozzarella works too.
    • Cherry tomatoes: Add sweetness and color, but you can certainly leave these off.
    • Balsamic glaze: I’m always looking for an excuse to use glaze. So yummy!

    See the recipe card below for a complete list of ingredients and measurements.

    Variations

    What’s great about flatbread pizza is that you can add any of your favorite toppings. Here are some fun ways to create a completely different flavor profile.

    • BBQ Chicken Flatbread: Swap pesto for BBQ sauce and top with chicken, red onion, and cheddar.
    • Mediterranean Veggie: Use roasted veggies and feta.
    • Buffalo Chicken: Replace pesto with buffalo sauce and finish with ranch.
    • BBQ Pulled Pork Flatbread: Pulled pork, BBQ sauce, red onion, cheddar + cilantro.

    How to make Pesto Chicken Flatbread

    Step 1: Preheat your oven to 425°F. Place the flatbread on a baking sheet or preheated pizza stone.

    Step 2: Evenly spread pesto over each flatbread, leaving a small border around the edges (about 2 tablespoons of pesto each). Top each flatbread with the small pieces of chicken, distributing it evenly. Sprinkle the mozzarella cheese and add the cherry tomato halves. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper.

    A top down view of a flatbread with pesto spread over the top.
    A top down view of a flatbread with pesto and mozzarella cheese over the top before baking.

    Step 3: Place flatbreads in the preheated oven and bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the flatbread edges are golden and crispy.

    Step 4: Remove the flatbread from the oven. Garnish with fresh basil leaves, a drizzle of balsamic glaze, and a sprinkle of crushed red pepper flakes. Using a pizza cutter, slice the pizza into four pieces and serve immediately.

    Chicken Pesto Flatbread pizza from the top down photograph of a piece with balsamic glaze and fresh basil.

    Tips

    • Toast the flatbread for 2–3 minutes before topping for extra crispiness.
    • Use rotisserie chicken to keep prep quick and consistent.
    • Don’t overload the toppings — a lighter hand helps the crust stay crisp.
    • Add a drizzle of olive oil over the chicken if it looks dry.

    Storage

    To store leftover flatbread, allow it to cool to room temperature, then place it in an airtight container. Store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, warm in the oven at 350°F for about 5-7 minutes, or until heated through and crispy.

    What to Serve With Pesto Chicken Flatbread

    • A simple green salad
    • Arugula salad with lemon and Parmesan
    • Cucumber salad for something cool and crisp
    • Wedge Salad
    • Roasted veggies
    • Creamy Corn Chowder or any cozy, creamy soup

    Did you make the recipe? Let us know what you thought by leaving a comment below and sharing it on Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook! Thanks so much!

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    Pesto Chicken Pizza on a plate with red pepper flakes.

    Easy Pesto Chicken Flatbread Pizza

    Jill Machovsky
    A warm flatbread topped with creamy pesto, tender chicken, melty mozzarella, and sweet tomatoes. This easy 15-minute recipe is perfect for busy nights.
    4.34 from 3 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 5 minutes
    Cook Time 10 minutes
    Total Time 15 minutes
    Course Appetizer, Dinner
    Cuisine Italian
    Servings 4
    Calories 423 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 4 Flatbread
    • ½ cup Basil Pesto
    • 1 cup Shredded Chicken Breast
    • 1 ½ cup Mozzarella Cheese Shredded
    • 1 cup Cherry Tomatoes Halved
    • ¼ teaspoon Crushed Red Pepper
    • 1 teaspoon Italian Seasoning
    • Salt and Pepper To Taste
    • Balsamic Glaze Drizzle
    • Fresh Basil Leaves

    Instructions
     

    • Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Place the flatbread on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or directly on a pizza stone.
      4 Flatbread
    • Evenly spread about 1/4 cup of pesto sauce over each flatbread, leaving a small border around the edges.
      ½ cup Basil Pesto
    • Top each flatbread with the shredded or sliced chicken, distributing it evenly. Add the shredded mozzarella cheese, followed by the cherry tomatoes. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper.
      1 cup Shredded Chicken Breast, 1 ½ cup Mozzarella Cheese, 1 cup Cherry Tomatoes, ¼ teaspoon Crushed Red Pepper, 1 teaspoon Italian Seasoning
    • Place the flatbread in the preheated oven and bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the flatbread edges are golden and crispy.
    • Remove the flatbread from the oven. Garnish with fresh basil leaves and a drizzle of balsamic glaze, and a sprinkle of crushed red pepper flakes if you like a bit of heat. Slice and serve warm.
      Balsamic Glaze, Fresh Basil Leaves, Salt and Pepper

    Notes

    Use Pre-Cooked Chicken: Save time by using leftover or rotisserie chicken. This speeds up the prep and ensures your flatbread is topped with tender, flavorful chicken.
    Don’t Overload the Toppings: Keep your toppings balanced to avoid soggy flatbread. A light hand with the cheese and toppings ensures a crispy, golden crust every time.
    Bake on a Pizza Stone: For an extra crispy flatbread, bake directly on a preheated pizza stone. This helps distribute heat evenly and gives your flatbread that perfect crunch.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 423kcalCarbohydrates: 29gProtein: 24gFat: 23gSaturated Fat: 8gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 56mgSodium: 833mgPotassium: 267mgFiber: 2gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 1123IUVitamin C: 9mgCalcium: 395mgIron: 2mg
    Tried this recipe?Mention @Cookingupmemoriesinsta or tag #CookingUpMemories!

    Sweet Basil

    If you grow basil, this is the perfect recipe to use it up. Late summer basil gets trimmed fast at my house, and homemade pesto is my favorite way to preserve that fresh flavor. If you make your own pesto, this flatbread is the easiest way to show it off.

    I hope you’ll search around while you are here and check out more basil pesto recipes, such as pasta tuna salad with pesto, pesto meatballs, pesto salmon pasta dish, and a delicious potato salad with pesto.

    Comments

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    Creative Director at Cooking Up Memories

    Hi, my name is Jill, and I cook family-friendly recipes. After selling my small business, I decided I would continue with my passion through a small space on the web. It was my goal in my former business to help people make memories through food, and I didn’t want to let that part of my life go! Cooking Up Memories came from the idea that all the big and small events of my life often revolve around food.

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