If you’re craving something quick but homemade, this Speedy Pesto Chicken Flatbread will be your new go-to meal. It’s the perfect blend of crispy flatbread, juicy chicken, and fresh basil pesto—ready in under 20 minutes.
We’re using real ingredients that you can easily find at your local grocery store or farmer’s market. No complicated steps, no fancy equipment—just a simple, delicious meal that tastes like something you’d get at a café.
Let’s get cooking.
Why You’ll Love This Flatbread
- Fast – Ready in less time than delivery.
- Fresh Ingredients – No weird preservatives, just real food.
- Versatile – Great for lunch, dinner, or even an appetizer.
- Customizable – Add your favorite toppings and make it yours.
Shortcut & Substitutions
✅ No time to cook chicken? Grab a rotisserie chicken from the store.
✅ No flatbread? Use naan, pita, or even a thin pizza crust.
✅ Nut allergy? Skip the pine nuts and use sunflower seeds in the pesto.
✅ No oven? Use a stovetop – just heat a pan over medium heat, place the assembled flatbread inside, and cover with a lid for about 5 minutes.
Serving Suggestions
This pesto chicken flatbread is delicious on its own, but if you want to round out your meal, try these:
🥗 Simple Side Salad – Toss some arugula with lemon juice, olive oil, and shaved Parmesan.
🥣 Soup Pairing – A warm bowl of tomato basil soup makes this even cozier.
🍷 Drink It With – A chilled glass of Sauvignon Blanc or an iced lemonade.
Make It Your Own!
The best part? You can switch things up!
🔥 Spicy Kick – Add red pepper flakes or hot honey drizzle.
🧀 Extra Cheesy – Try burrata or feta for more creaminess.
🥓 Savory Boost – Toss on crispy bacon bits.
🥑 California Style – Add sliced avocado before serving.
Storage & Reheating
If you somehow have leftovers (rare, but possible!), here’s what to do:
🔹 Fridge – Store in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
🔹 Reheat – Place in a 400°F oven for 5 minutes. Avoid microwaving—it’ll make the flatbread soggy.
Final Thoughts
This Speedy Pesto Chicken Flatbread is proof that fast food can still be fresh and flavorful. It’s easy enough for a weeknight but fancy enough to impress guests.
So next time you’re short on time but want something homemade, skip the takeout and make this instead.
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Speedy Pesto Chicken Flatbread: Fresh, Fast, and Full of Flavor
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 2 flatbreads (4 servings)
- Category: Main Course, Lunch, Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American, Italian-inspired
Description
This Speedy Pesto Chicken Flatbread is the perfect quick meal—crispy flatbread topped with basil pesto, juicy chicken, fresh tomatoes, and melted mozzarella. It’s ready in under 20 minutes, packed with flavor, and perfect for busy weeknights or a light lunch.
Ingredients
This recipe is built around fresh, quality ingredients. Using good ingredients makes a huge difference—so grab the best ones you can find.
For the Flatbread:
✔ 2 pre-made flatbreads (or naan)
✔ 1 cup cooked chicken, shredded or sliced (rotisserie works great!)
✔ ½ cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
✔ ¼ cup Parmesan cheese, grated
✔ ½ cup grape tomatoes, halved
✔ 2 tbsp red onion, thinly sliced
✔ 1 tbsp olive oil
✔ Salt & pepper, to taste
For the Pesto: (or use store-bought!)
✔ 1 cup fresh basil leaves
✔ ¼ cup Parmesan cheese, grated
✔ ¼ cup pine nuts (or almonds, walnuts, or sunflower seeds!)
✔ 1 small garlic clove
✔ ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
✔ Salt & pepper, to taste
Instructions
1. Make the Pesto (If Using Homemade)
- Throw basil, Parmesan, pine nuts, garlic, olive oil, salt, and pepper into a food processor.
- Pulse until smooth. Add more olive oil if needed.
2. Prep Your Flatbread
- Preheat your oven to 425°F.
- Place the flatbreads on a baking sheet. Drizzle with a little olive oil.
3. Add the Toppings
- Spread a thin layer of pesto over each flatbread.
- Sprinkle the mozzarella and Parmesan evenly.
- Add chicken, tomatoes, and red onion on top.
4. Bake It
- Pop it in the oven for 7-10 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbling and the edges are crisp.
5. Finishing Touches
- Drizzle with extra pesto.
- Add fresh basil leaves for a bright, fresh kick.
- Slice and serve immediately.
Notes
- For extra crunch, toast the flatbread for 2 minutes before adding toppings.
- Swap mozzarella for feta or burrata for a different twist.
- Use store-bought pesto if short on time.
- To make it gluten-free, use a gluten-free flatbread or cauliflower crust.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/2 flatbread
- Calories: 390 per serving
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 550mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 55mg
