Description
Pesto Chicken Flatbread with Mozzarella is a quick and delicious 20-minute meal perfect for dinner or as a flavorful appetizer. Featuring a crispy naan or flatbread base topped with fragrant basil pesto, tender cooked chicken, melted mozzarella cheese, fresh cherry tomatoes, and red onions, this recipe offers a delightful combination of textures and tastes. Garnished with fresh basil and optional red pepper flakes or balsamic glaze, it’s a simple yet impressive dish to serve any day of the week.
Ingredients
Flatbread Base
- 2 naan or flatbread rounds
- Olive oil (for brushing)
- Salt & black pepper, to taste
Toppings
- ½ cup basil pesto
- 1 cup cooked chicken breast, shredded or chopped
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ¼ cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 2 tbsp red onion, thinly sliced
Garnish
- Fresh basil leaves, for garnish
- Optional: red pepper flakes or balsamic glaze
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 400°F (200°C) and prepare a baking sheet by lining it with parchment paper to prevent sticking and for easy cleanup.
- Prepare the flatbread: Lay the naan or flatbreads on the lined baking sheet and brush them lightly with olive oil to ensure a crispy texture and to add flavor.
- Spread pesto evenly: Using a spoon or spatula, spread ½ cup of basil pesto evenly over each naan or flatbread surface, making sure to reach all the edges for full coverage.
- Add toppings: Layer the shredded or chopped cooked chicken breast evenly over the pesto, followed by shredded mozzarella cheese. Scatter the halved cherry tomatoes and thinly sliced red onion on top. Season lightly with salt and black pepper to taste.
- Bake the flatbread: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the cheese has melted completely and the edges of the flatbread are golden and crispy.
- Garnish and serve: Remove the flatbreads from the oven and garnish with fresh basil leaves. Optionally sprinkle red pepper flakes for a spicy kick or drizzle balsamic glaze for added sweetness and depth of flavor.
- Slice and enjoy: Slice the flatbreads into wedges and serve warm for a satisfying meal or appetizer.
Notes
- You can use store-bought pesto or homemade for best flavor.
- Cooked chicken can be rotisserie or leftover grilled chicken to save time.
- For extra crispiness, place the flatbread directly on an oven rack in the last few minutes of baking.
- Customize toppings by adding olives, spinach, or different cheeses if desired.
- Leftovers can be stored covered in the refrigerator and reheated in the oven for best results.
- Prep Time: 8 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Flatbread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Keywords: pesto chicken flatbread, mozzarella flatbread, easy dinner, 20-minute meal, naan flatbread recipe, quick appetizer, basil pesto flatbread
