Why BBQ Chicken Garbage Bread Is the Ultimate Game Day Snack
BBQ Chicken Garbage Bread is the kind of food that disappears fast at parties. It’s warm, cheesy, and packed with smoky BBQ flavor. You roll up all the good stuff inside pizza dough, bake it golden, and slice it like a sandwich roll.
It’s called garbage bread because you can toss in anything tasty, kind of like cleaning out your fridge. But don’t let the name fool you. This recipe is deliciously intentional.
It’s like BBQ chicken pizza rolled into a breadstick. Perfect for game day, weeknight dinners, or anytime you want something easy and comforting.
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Ingredients You’ll Need (Simple Pantry Staples)
You only need a few basic items. Most might already be in your fridge or pantry.
- 2 cups cooked, shredded chicken
– You can use rotisserie chicken or leftover grilled chicken - 1/2 cup BBQ sauce
– Sweet, smoky, or spicy – your choice - 1 1/2 cups shredded cheese
– A mix of mozzarella and cheddar melts best - 1 pizza dough (store-bought or homemade)
– You can also use a crescent roll sheet for a shortcut version - 1/4 cup diced red onion (optional)
– Adds crunch and zing - 1 green onion, sliced (for garnish)
– Optional, but adds color and flavor - Salt and pepper to taste
Tip: For a spicy kick, add chopped jalapeños or pepper jack cheese.
How to Make BBQ Chicken Garbage Bread (Step-by-Step)
This recipe comes together in less than an hour. Just mix, roll, and bake.
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Step 1 – Prepare the Filling
- In a large bowl, mix the shredded chicken with the BBQ sauce until coated.
- Stir in the shredded cheese and diced onions if using.
- Taste and adjust seasoning with salt or pepper.
Can I use rotisserie chicken?
Yes, it saves time and adds flavor. Just remove the skin before shredding.
Step 2 – Roll Out the Dough
- Lightly flour a clean surface and roll out your pizza dough into a rectangle (about 9×13 inches).
- Spread the BBQ chicken mixture evenly over the dough, leaving a 1-inch border.
What kind of dough is best for garbage bread?
Pizza dough gives the classic texture, but crescent dough or even puff pastry works for shortcuts.
Step 3 – Roll, Seal, and Bake
- Starting from the long side, roll the dough into a tight log.
- Pinch the seam and the ends to seal it completely.
- Place seam-side down on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Bake at 400°F (200°C) for 20–25 minutes or until golden brown and firm.
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How do I stop the bread from getting soggy?
Avoid using too much sauce. A thin, even layer keeps the filling flavorful without soaking the dough.
Step 4 – Let It Rest and Slice
- Let the baked bread sit for 10 minutes before slicing.
- Use a sharp serrated knife for clean cuts.
- Garnish with green onions or extra BBQ drizzle.
Tips for Perfect Garbage Bread Every Time
Making garbage bread might be simple, but a few tricks will take it from good to great.
- Don’t overload the filling
– Too much sauce or stuffing can make it soggy and hard to roll. - Use parchment paper for easy cleanup
– It prevents sticking and makes it easier to move the bread. - Cool before slicing
– Letting it rest keeps the filling from spilling out. - Brush the top with oil or egg wash (optional)
– This gives it a shiny, golden finish. - Try shredded cheese blends
– Cheddar and mozzarella melt beautifully together.- Here’s a breakdown of BBQ sauce types and when to use them.
Variations to Try
Garbage bread is meant to be customized. Try different twists using the same method.
Buffalo Chicken Garbage Bread
- Use hot sauce and ranch dressing instead of BBQ.
- Add blue cheese crumbles for extra flavor.
Ranch BBQ Chicken Style
- Add ranch seasoning or a drizzle of ranch dressing inside.
- Goes great with pepper jack cheese.
Vegetarian BBQ Jackfruit Bread
- Replace chicken with shredded canned jackfruit.
- Still get that BBQ texture and flavor without meat.
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BBQ Chicken Bacon Bread
- Add crispy bacon bits to the filling.
- Smoky, salty, and irresistible.
What to Serve with BBQ Chicken Garbage Bread
You can make this a meal or a snack spread. Here are great pairings:
- Dips: Ranch, extra BBQ sauce, blue cheese
- Sides: Coleslaw, sweet potato fries, corn salad
- Drinks: Lemonade, iced tea, light beer
Pro Tip: Slice it up and serve it on a wooden board with dipping sauces—perfect for game day spreads.
Storage and Reheating Tips
This bread stores well and tastes great reheated.
- Fridge: Wrap leftovers and store for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: Wrap tightly in foil and freeze for up to 2 months.
- Reheating: Warm in oven at 350°F until heated through. Avoid the microwave—it makes the crust chewy.- For best results, follow USDA guidelines for reheating leftovers.
Can I freeze leftover BBQ chicken bread?
Yes. Slice first, then wrap and freeze individual pieces for easy grab-and-go meals.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
These simple fixes can save your bread from flopping:
- Overstuffing: Makes it hard to roll and bake evenly.
- Wet fillings: Drain any extra moisture from the chicken before mixing.
- Not sealing ends: Can cause the filling to leak out.
- Using cold dough: Let the dough rest at room temperature to make rolling easier.
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Nutrition Breakdown (Per Slice)
Estimated for 8 slices– USDA FoodData Central – Cooked Chicken, Shredded
Nutrient | Amount |
---|---|
Calories | 280 |
Protein | 18g |
Carbs | 22g |
Fat | 12g |
Fiber | 1g |
Sugar | 5g |
Sodium | 480mg |
To lighten it up, use low-fat cheese, whole wheat dough, and reduced-sugar BBQ sauce.
Final Thoughts on BBQ Chicken Garbage Bread
This BBQ Chicken Garbage Bread recipe is the kind of easy comfort food everyone loves. It’s fast, full of flavor, and works for game day, parties, or lazy weeknights. Once you try it, it might become a regular in your rotation.
BBQ Chicken Garbage Bread

This BBQ Chicken Garbage Bread Recipe is the ultimate comfort snack. It’s simple. It’s cheesy. And it’s stuffed with tender chicken tossed in BBQ sauce, then baked inside pizza dough until golden and crisp. This recipe is a lifesaver when you have leftovers, random ingredients, or you just want to impress people without spending hours in the kitchen.
All you need is some cooked chicken, cheese, and your favorite BBQ sauce. You wrap it up like a burrito, toss it in the oven, and let the magic happen. It’s honestly fun to make and even more fun to eat.
Perfect for football nights, potlucks, or even a lazy dinner. You can dip it in ranch, extra BBQ sauce, or eat it just like that. The flavors are bold, smoky, and the melted cheese just pulls apart like a dream. It’s also totally customizable. Want more heat? Add jalapeños. Want it sweeter? Use honey BBQ.
This bread is pure crowd-pleaser vibes. Try it once, and you’ll keep making it over and over again.
Ingredients
- 1 lb Shredded Cooked Chicken (leftovers work great)
- 150 gm Shredded Mozzarella Cheese
- 80 gm Shredded Cheddar Cheese
- 6 tbsp BBQ Sauce (sweet or smoky, your choice)
- 1 Sheet Refrigerated Pizza Dough
- 0.5 tsp Garlic Powder
- 0.5 tsp Onion Powder
- 1 tbsp Chopped Fresh Parsley (optional)
- 1 tbsp Olive Oil for brushing
- 1 tbsp All-Purpose Flour (for dusting surface)
Optional Toppings
- 2 tbsp Extra BBQ Sauce
- 1 tsp Crushed Red Pepper Flakes
- 2 tbsp Ranch Dressing for dipping
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 200°C and line a baking tray with parchment paper.
- Lightly flour your surface and roll out the pizza dough into a large rectangle.
- In a bowl, mix shredded chicken with BBQ sauce, garlic powder, and onion powder.
- Spread the chicken mix in the center of the dough.
- Sprinkle both cheeses evenly over the chicken.
- Fold the sides over and then roll it like a burrito. Seal the edges well.
- Place seam-side down on the tray. Brush the top with olive oil.
- Use a knife to make 3 small slits on top for steam to escape.
- Bake for 25 minutes or until golden brown.
- Let it cool for 5 minutes before slicing.
- Drizzle extra BBQ sauce or ranch on top if using.
Notes
Make sure your chicken isn’t too wet. If using rotisserie chicken, pat it dry a little so the dough doesn’t get soggy. You can add extras like caramelized onions, bell peppers, or cooked bacon for more flavor. If the crust starts browning too fast, loosely cover it with foil. Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for 2 days and reheated in the oven for best texture. Air fryer reheats also work great. Try different cheese combos too—pepper jack adds a nice kick!
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
4Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 594Total Fat: 36gSaturated Fat: 13gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 19gCholesterol: 153mgSodium: 910mgCarbohydrates: 24gNet Carbohydrates: 32gFiber: 1gSugar: 13gSugar Alcohols: 0gProtein: 42g
Note while Creating nutrition details Table: Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.