Looking for something warm, cheesy, and packed with flavor? This BBQ Chicken Garbage Bread might become your new favorite. It’s quick to put together, uses ingredients you probably already have, and it’s perfect for dinner, snacks, or game day. Think of it like your favorite BBQ chicken sandwich—wrapped in golden, crusty bread.
In this guide, you’ll learn how to make it step-by-step, with tips, variations, and answers to common questions. Let’s dig in.
What Is BBQ Chicken Garbage Bread?
A Fun Name for a Serious Comfort Food
“Garbage bread” might sound odd, but it’s delicious. The name comes from tossing in all kinds of tasty leftovers—meats, cheeses, sauces—into bread dough, rolling it up, and baking it until golden.
Why It’s Called “Garbage Bread”
The term comes from how flexible the recipe is. It’s often made with whatever’s left in the fridge. In this case, barbecue chicken, cheese, onions, and sauce all come together to create one loaded, stuffed bread. To get more info, why it’s called “Garbage Bread” by thecountrycook.net
What Makes This Version Unique?
This version uses BBQ sauce, cooked chicken, red onions, shredded cheese, and pizza dough. It’s bold in flavor, soft inside, and crisp outside. Plus, it’s super easy to customize based on what you like.
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Ingredients You’ll Need
Here’s what you’ll need to make this recipe at home. You can adjust the amounts depending on how big you want your bread roll.
Core Ingredients:
- 2 cups cooked chicken (shredded or chopped)
– Rotisserie chicken works great - 1/2 cup BBQ sauce
– Use your favorite brand (sweet, spicy, or smoky) - 1 cup shredded mozzarella or cheddar
– For that perfect melt - 1/2 cup red onions (thinly sliced)
– Adds a bit of crunch and sweetness - 1 pre-made pizza dough or crescent roll sheet
– Found in most grocery stores
Optional Add-ins for Extra Flavor:
- Cooked bacon bits
- Jalapeños
- Green onions
- Diced bell peppers
Ingredient Swaps and Substitutions:
- Use vegan cheese and plant-based chicken for a dairy-free version
- Swap BBQ sauce for buffalo sauce if you like heat
- Use leftover pulled pork instead of chicken
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How to Make BBQ Chicken Garbage Bread (Step-by-Step)
This recipe is beginner-friendly and takes under 45 minutes from start to finish.
Step 1 – Prepare the Chicken
If you don’t have leftover chicken, cook and shred 2 boneless chicken breasts. You can boil, roast, or pan-fry them. Rotisserie chicken also works well.
Step 2 – Mix the Filling
In a large bowl, mix:
- Shredded chicken
- BBQ sauce
- Sliced onions
- Shredded cheese
Stir everything together until fully coated. Make sure the mixture isn’t too wet.
Step 3 – Roll the Dough
- On a floured surface, roll out the dough into a rectangle (about 12×8 inches).
- If using crescent dough, pinch seams together.
Step 4 – Fill and Seal the Bread
- Spoon the chicken mixture evenly along the center of the dough.
- Leave a border around the edges.
- Fold in the sides, then roll it up tightly like a log.
- Seal all edges and place seam-side down on a baking sheet.
Step 5 – Bake Until Golden
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Bake for 20–25 minutes or until the outside is golden brown.
- Let it cool for 5–10 minutes before slicing.
Step 6 – Cool and Slice
- Use a serrated knife to cut into thick slices.
- Serve warm with extra BBQ sauce or ranch dressing.
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Curious Tip:
You can brush the top with melted butter and sprinkle garlic powder or sesame seeds before baking for a flavorful crust.
Tips for the Best Garbage Bread Every Time
- Use freshly shredded cheese – It melts better than pre-packaged cheese.
- Don’t overfill – Too much filling can make the bread soggy.
- Cool before slicing – This helps the filling set and prevents a mess.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Even though this recipe is easy, a few simple missteps can affect the final result. Watch out for these:
- Overcooking the chicken
Dry chicken can ruin the texture. If using leftovers, don’t reheat it before baking—it will cook again inside the bread. - Using too much sauce
Excess BBQ sauce can make the dough soggy. Just enough to coat the chicken is perfect. - Not sealing the edges
Make sure to pinch and tuck the dough tightly so the filling doesn’t leak while baking.-Learn how too much liquid can ruin the baking texture
Variations and Custom Ideas
This BBQ Chicken Garbage Bread recipe is super flexible. Try these tasty twists:
Buffalo Chicken Garbage Bread
- Swap BBQ sauce with buffalo sauce
- Add blue cheese crumbles
- Serve with ranch or celery sticks
Get here Beginner-Friendly Chicken Breast Recipes with Rice, Pasta, or Potatoes
Vegetarian Version
- Use sautéed mushrooms, bell peppers, onions, and your favorite cheese
- Add BBQ jackfruit or tofu for more texture
Breakfast Garbage Bread
- Fill with scrambled eggs, cooked bacon, cheddar, and hot sauce
- Great for brunch or meal prep
What to Serve with BBQ Chicken Garbage Bread
It’s filling on its own, but you can pair it with easy side dishes for a complete meal:
- Coleslaw – Adds crunch and balance
- Baked beans – Matches the BBQ flavor
- Pickles or potato salad – Refreshing and tangy
- Corn on the cob – A Sweet and buttery match
Storing and Reheating Tips
Can You Freeze Garbage Bread?
Yes! Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and foil, then freeze for up to 2 months. Slice before freezing for easy portions.
Best Way to Reheat It
Reheat slices in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10 minutes. For quicker results, microwave for 1–2 minutes, but expect a softer crust.
How Long Does It Last in the Fridge
Store in an airtight container and eat within 3–4 days for best flavor.
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Nutrition Info and Calories
Estimated per slice (serves 6–8):
- Calories: ~320
- Protein: 18g
- Fat: 14g
- Carbs: 28g
To make it lighter:
- Use low-fat cheese
- Go easy on the sauce
- Use whole wheat or thin crust dough
Source: USDA FoodData Central – for general food data.
Real-Life Examples and Family Tips
Great for Leftover Chicken
This is the perfect recipe if you have leftover BBQ chicken or rotisserie meat in the fridge.
Make It Ahead for Parties or Game Day
You can prep and assemble the bread earlier in the day, store it in the fridge, and then bake fresh when needed.
Kids Love the Cheesy Inside
If you want to make it kid-friendly, skip onions and use extra cheese. Cut into fun mini rolls for lunchboxes or snacks.
Final Thoughts
BBQ Chicken Garbage Bread is one of those comfort food recipes you’ll come back to again and again. It’s flavorful, flexible, and super satisfying. You can keep it simple or get creative with the fillings.
If you’re feeding your family, using up leftovers, or prepping for game day, this bread has you covered.
BBQ Chicken Garbage Bread

This BBQ chicken garbage bread is perfect when you want something easy but tasty. It uses simple ingredients like cooked chicken, BBQ sauce, and cheese. You just roll it up in dough and bake.
The mix of smoky, sweet, and cheesy makes every bite so good. You can even add red onions, bell peppers, or jalapeños if you like extra flavor. It’s a great way to use up leftover rotisserie chicken too.
If you’re hosting friends or want a fun family dinner, this works great. Slice it and serve with ranch or extra BBQ sauce on the side.
The best part is, it doesn’t take long to make. You don’t need special cooking skills. Just layer, roll, and bake. It comes out golden and smells amazing. You’ll love how easy and filling it is.
Even kids enjoy this one. It feels like pizza but has that BBQ twist. Perfect for weeknights or casual meals when you want comfort food in minutes.
Ingredients
- 1 can Pizza Dough or any rolled dough
- 1 cup Cooked Chicken, shredded
- 1/2 cup BBQ Sauce, plus more for dipping
- 1 cup Shredded Mozzarella Cheese
- 1/4 cup Shredded Cheddar Cheese
- 1/4 cup Sliced Red Onion (optional)
- 1 tbsp Chopped Fresh Coriander (optional)
- 1 tsp Garlic Powder
- 1 tbsp Butter, melted for brushing
- 1 pinch Salt
- 1/2 tsp Black Pepper
Optional Toppings
- Ranch Drizzle or Extra BBQ Sauce
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F and line a baking sheet with parchment.
- Roll out the dough into a rectangle.
- In a bowl, mix shredded chicken with BBQ sauce.
- Spread the chicken mixture down the center of the dough.
- Sprinkle mozzarella and cheddar cheese on top.
- Add sliced onions and coriander if using.
- Season with garlic powder, salt, and black pepper.
- Fold over the edges to seal and roll it into a log.
- Place seam-side down and brush with melted butter.
- Cut small slits on top to let steam escape.
- Bake for 25 minutes or until golden and crusty.
Notes
Use rotisserie chicken or any leftover grilled chicken to save time. The type of BBQ sauce will change the flavor—smoky, sweet, or spicy all work well.
Make it extra cheesy or toss in veggies to mix things up. You can even use store-bought dough to make prep faster.
If making for guests, slice it and serve with dips like ranch, blue cheese, or more BBQ sauce. It reheats well in the oven or air fryer.
Store leftovers in the fridge and enjoy within two days for best taste.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
4Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 812Total Fat: 37gSaturated Fat: 13gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 20gCholesterol: 62mgSodium: 1375mgCarbohydrates: 96gNet Carbohydrates: 37gFiber: 4gSugar: 18gSugar Alcohols: 0gProtein: 23g
Note while Creating nutrition details Table: Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.