Pesto Chicken Flatbread: An Easy Dinner Recipe
Why We’re Sure You’ll Adore This Recipe
- Ready in Under 30 Minutes: We’ve created this recipe with the realities of a busy schedule in mind. From preparation to plate, you can have this delightful meal served up in well under half an hour, making it the perfect weeknight hero.
- A Symphony of Flavours: The blend of savoury chicken, aromatic pesto, creamy mozzarella, and the bright sweetness of tomatoes is simply exquisite. Every bite offers a beautifully balanced taste of the Mediterranean.
- Endlessly Adaptable: Consider this recipe your starting point. Feel free to switch up the toppings, experiment with different cheeses, or toss on extra vegetables to match your preferences or use what’s in your pantry. We’ve included some of our favourite twists below!
- A Lighter Pizza Alternative: If you’re craving pizza but fancy something a little less substantial, this flatbread is the answer. It provides all the cheesy, satisfying joy you’re looking for but on a lighter, crispier foundation.
- Ideal for Any Occasion: This recipe works brilliantly whether you’re dining solo, enjoying a meal for two, or feeding the whole family. You can also slice it into smaller portions to serve as a fantastic appetiser at your next get-together.
Ingredients for Your Pesto Chicken Flatbread
One of the greatest charms of this recipe is its straightforwardness. You only require a handful of fresh, high-quality ingredients to craft something truly memorable. Here is what we suggest you have ready.
For the Flatbread Base:
- Flatbreads: 2 large, ready-made flatbreads, naan breads, or even sizeable pitas will work perfectly.
- Pesto: 4-6 tablespoons of a good-quality basil pesto. While shop-bought is excellent for convenience, homemade pesto is surprisingly simple to make. You can find superb recipes, such as this one from BBC Good Food, which require very few ingredients.
- Cheese: 150g of grated mozzarella. We adore the classic ‘cheese pull’ that mozzarella provides, but provolone or a cheddar mix would also be wonderfully tasty.
For the Toppings:
- Chicken: 1 large chicken breast (roughly 200g), cooked and then diced or shredded. This is a brilliant way to make use of any leftover roast chicken!
- Tomatoes: 10-12 cherry tomatoes, sliced in half. They introduce a pop of sweetness and acidity that beautifully complements the richness of the cheese and pesto.
- Red Onion: ¼ of a red onion, sliced as thinly as possible. This imparts a subtle, savoury sharpness.
- Olive Oil: 1 tablespoon, used for cooking the chicken and brushing onto the flatbread.
- Seasoning: A pinch of salt, some freshly ground black pepper, and a sprinkle of dried oregano.
Optional Garnishes:
- A small bunch of fresh rocket leaves
- A light drizzle of balsamic glaze
- A final dusting of grated Parmesan cheese
- A pinch of red pepper flakes for a touch of warmth
How to Make the Perfect Pesto Chicken Flatbread
Are you ready to bring this creation to life? We’ve outlined the entire process in four easy-to-follow steps. Simply follow our guide, and you’ll be savouring your delicious flatbread in no time. This is a truly easy chicken flatbread that anyone can prepare with confidence.
Prepare Your Ingredients
To begin, preheat your oven to 200°C (180°C Fan/Gas Mark 6). If your chicken is raw, chop the breast into small, bite-sized chunks. Warm a tablespoon of olive oil in a frying pan over a medium-high heat. Add the chicken, season it with salt, pepper, and a little dried oregano, and sauté for 5-7 minutes until golden and cooked through. Put the chicken to one side. As the chicken is cooking, you can get your other toppings ready by halving the cherry tomatoes and thinly slicing the red onion.
Assemble Your Flatbreads
Arrange your flatbreads on a large baking sheet. For an even crispier result, you can place them in the hot oven for 2-3 minutes before you add the toppings. When ready, spread a generous layer of basil pesto over each flatbread, ensuring you leave a small border. Next, distribute the cooked chicken, halved tomatoes, and sliced red onion across the pesto. If you have a fondness for meals with fresh, Italian-inspired flavours, we think you’ll also adore our Bruschetta Chicken recipe for another speedy and satisfying meal.
Bake to Golden Perfection
Evenly sprinkle the grated mozzarella cheese over all the toppings. Try to get some cheese near the edges to create those delicious, crispy bits. Transfer the baking sheet into the preheated oven and bake for about 8-12 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when the cheese is fully melted, bubbling, and developing golden-brown spots. The flatbread itself should be firm with a crisp crust.
Garnish and Serve Immediately
Carefully take the flatbreads out of the oven. Allow them to sit for a moment before applying the finishing touches. Scatter a handful of fresh rocket over the top to add a peppery note. For a final flourish, drizzle with a sweet and tangy balsamic glaze. Slice your creations into wedges or squares and serve whilst hot. We hope you enjoy every single bite!
Tips, Tricks, and Tasty Variations
Although this core recipe is absolutely wonderful as it is, there are countless ways to make it your own. Here are some of our best tips and creative suggestions to help you personalise this dish.
Top Tips for Success
- Avoid Overloading: While it’s tempting to pile on extra toppings, we find that a more restrained approach works best. Overcrowding the flatbread can lead to a soggy base that struggles to become properly crisp.
- Prioritise Quality: As this recipe has so few components, the quality of each one truly matters. Using a vibrant, flavourful pesto and fresh, creamy mozzarella will elevate the final result significantly.
- Prepare in Advance: Feel free to cook the chicken and chop your vegetables ahead of time. When you’re ready to eat, the only tasks left are assembling and baking, which streamlines the process even more.
Fun Variations to Try
Make it a Grilled Pesto Chicken Flatbread
For a beautiful smoky taste, particularly during the warmer months, why not prepare this on the barbecue? First, grill the chicken until cooked. Then, assemble the flatbreads and position them on the grill over indirect heat. Close the lid and let them cook for 5-7 minutes, or until the cheese has melted and the base has lovely char marks.
Embrace a Mediterranean Flatbread Vibe
Really lean into the Mediterranean profile by incorporating a few extra ingredients. Consider adding sliced Kalamata olives, crumbled feta cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, or even roasted red peppers. These additions will lend even more complexity and flavour to your flatbread.
Switch Up the Sauce and Cheese
If basil pesto isn’t your favourite, you could try a red pesto made with sun-dried tomatoes, or even a simple spread of garlic and herb butter. In terms of cheese, creamy goat’s cheese, sharp provolone, or a dusting of salty Parmesan can completely transform the character of the dish.
If you’re seeking another swift and comforting meal that marries chicken and cheese so beautifully, our Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta Recipe is one you simply must try!
FAQ
A New Weeknight Favourite Awaits
So, there you have it—a simple, delicious, and highly versatile Pesto Chicken Flatbread recipe that we are confident will earn a permanent spot in your meal rotation. It’s the perfect demonstration that you don’t need to devote hours to cooking to produce a meal that is both deeply comforting and wonderfully impressive. It is quick enough for any Tuesday evening, yet feels special enough for a Friday night treat.
We truly hope you feel inspired to get creative, experiment with different toppings, and put your own unique spin on this recipe. The real joy of this dish is found in its simplicity and its capacity for adaptation.
We would love for you to try this recipe! When you do, please leave a comment below to let us know how it went and any brilliant variations you came up with. And please don’t forget to share this post with friends and family who are always searching for their next great, quick meal!
Pesto Chicken Flatbread: An Easy Dinner Recipe
Whip up this incredibly simple yet flavour-packed Pesto Chicken Flatbread for a weeknight dinner that feels like a treat. Crispy flatbread, savoury pesto, tender chicken, and gooey mozzarella come together in under 30 minutes!
Ingredients
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 200°C (180°C Fan). If using raw chicken, cook it in a pan with olive oil and seasoning until golden, then set aside.
- Place flatbreads on a baking sheet. Spread each one with a generous layer of pesto.
- Evenly distribute the cooked chicken, halved cherry tomatoes, and sliced red onion over the pesto.
- Sprinkle the grated mozzarella cheese over the toppings.
- Bake for 8-12 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the flatbread is crisp.
- Remove from the oven, garnish with fresh rocket and a drizzle of balsamic glaze, then slice and serve immediately.
Calories: 670 kcal
Protein: 42g
Carbs: 58g
Fat: 31g
