Name: Easy BBQ Chicken Roll-Ups - Quick Family Dinner
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 35 min
Yield: Approximately 12-16 roll-ups
Ingredients: 1 refrigerated pizza crust (such as Pillsbury's); 2 cups shredded cooked chicken or 12-oz canned chicken, drained and flaked; 1/3 cup finely diced red onion; 1/2 cup your favorite BBQ sauce; 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, plus extra for topping; Cooking spray or parchment paper

BBQ Chicken Roll-Ups are about to become your new weeknight hero! Imagin extracte tender, shredded chicken infused with smoky, sweet BBQ sauce, all wrapped up in a soft, golden tortilla. It’s the kind of meal that brings smiles to the table, a delightful combination of comforting flavors and satisfying textures that have made this dish a family favorite. What truly makes these BBQ Chicken Roll-Ups special is their incredible versatility and ease of preparation. They’re perfect for busy evenings when you need a quick yet delicious meal, or even as a fun appetizer for your next gathering. The secret lies in the balance of savory chicken and tangy BBQ, creating a symphony of taste that’s both familiar and exciting. Get ready to impress yourself and your loved ones with this simple yet spectacular recipe!

Ingredients:

1 refrigerated pizza crust (such as Pillsbury’s)
2 cups shredded cooked chicken or 12-oz canned chicken, drained and flaked
1/3 cup finely diced red onion
1/2 cup your favorite BBQ sauce
1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, plus extra for topping
Cooking spray or parchment paper

Preparing the Filling

First, let’s get our delicious filling ready for these BBQ Chicken Roll-Ups. If you’re starting with leftover cooked chicken, shred it finely. If you’re using canned chicken, make sure to drain it thoroughly and then flake it apart with a fork. This ensures no excess moisture gets into our roll-ups, which could make them soggy. In a medium bowl, combine the shredded or flaked chicken with the finely diced red onion. The red onion adds a nice bit of sharpness and a slight crunch that contrasts beautifully with the tender chicken and creamy cheese. Next, add the BBQ sauce to the chicken and onion mixture. Stir everything together until the chicken and onions are evenly coated in the sauce. You want every bite to be packed with that smoky, sweet, and tangy BBQ flavor. Finally, fold in 1 1/2 cups of the shredded mozzarella cheese. Stir gently until the cheese is distributed throughout the filling. This cheese will melt beautifully as the roll-ups bake, creating those irresistible cheesy pulls. Set this mixture aside while you prepare the pizza crust.

Assembling the Roll-Ups

Now it’s time to transform our humble pizza crust into these amazing BBQ Chicken Roll-Ups. Preheat your oven to the temperature recommended on your pizza crust packagin extractg, which is typically around 375°F (190°C). If you’re using a baking sheet, lightly grease it with cooking spray or line it with parchment paper. Parchment paper is a great choice because it prevents sticking and makes for super easy cleanup. Carefully unroll the refrigerated pizza crust onto a clean, lightly floured surface. You can also unroll it directly onto the prepared baking sheet if you prefer. Try to keep the crust as intact as possible. If it tears a little, don’t worry, you can press it back together. Spread the prepared BBQ chicken and cheese filling evenly over the entire surface of the pizza crust, leaving about a 1-inch border around the edges. This border will help seal the roll-ups and prevent the filling from leaking out too much during baking. It’s important to get an even layer so that each roll-up has a good amount of filling.

Rolling and Sealing

This is where the magic happens and our roll-ups take their shape! Starting from one of the longer sides of the pizza cgin extractt, begin to tightly roll up the dough, enclosing the filling. As you roll, gently press down to compress the roll and keep it compact. Think of it like rolling a jelly roll cake or a cinnamon roll. The tighter you roll, the more evenly the filling will be distributed within each slice. Once you have completely rolled up the crust, you should have a long, filled cylinder. Now, use a sharp knife to carefully slice the roll into individual roll-ups. Aim for slices that are about 1 to 1 1/2 inches thick. Don’t worry if the slices aren’t perfectly uniform; they will still bake up beautifully. Arrange the sliced roll-ups cut-side up on your prepared baking sheet. Make sure to leave a little space between each roll-up, as they may expand slightly while baking.

Baking to Golden Perfection

It’s time to get these BBQ Chicken Roll-Ups into the oven to turn golden and delicious. Once you’ve arranged the roll-ups on the baking sheet, you can add a little extra flair and flavor by sprinkling a bit more shredded mozzarella cheese over the top of each one. This creates an extra cheesy crust that’s absolutely irresistible. Place the baking sheet into your preheated oven. Bake for approximately 15-20 minutes, or until the pizza crust is golden brown and cooked through, and the cheese on top is melted and bubbly. The exact baking time will depend on your oven and the thickness of your roll-ups, so keep an eye on them. You’re looking for that beautiful golden-brown color on the crust. If you notice the tops browning too quickly before the inside is cooked, you can loosely tent the baking sheet with aluminum foil.

Cooling and Serving

Once your BBQ Chicken Roll-Ups have reached golden perfection, carefully remove the baking sheet from the oven. Allow the roll-ups to cool on the baking sheet for about 5-10 minutes before serving. This brief cooling period is crucial because it allows the cheese to set slightly, making them easier to handle and preventing any burns from the molten cheese. They will be very hot right out of the oven! Serve them warm as an appetizer, a snack, or even a light meal. They are wonderful on their own, but you could also offer extra BBQ sauce for dipping if you like. These BBQ Chicken Roll-Ups are a crowd-pleaser and perfect for parties, game nights, or just a fun family dinner. Enjoy every delicious, cheesy bite!

Conclusion:

I hope you’ve enjoyed learning how to make these delicious BBQ Chicken Roll-Ups! This recipe is a fantastic way to transform leftover chicken or rotisserie chicken into a fun and flavorful meal or appetizer. They’re surprisingly easy to assemble, making them perfect for busy weeknights or for entertaining guests. The combination of savory BBQ sauce, tender chicken, and creamy cheese, all wrapped up in a soft tortilla, is simply irresistible.

For serving, these BBQ Chicken Roll-Ups are wonderfully versatile. They make a great light lunch served with a crisp side salad or some crunchy coleslaw. As an appetizer, cut them into smaller, bite-sized pinwheels and arrange them on a platter. They also pair beautifully with a side of sweet potato fries or potato wedges for a heartier meal.

Feeling adventurous? You can easily customize your BBQ Chicken Roll-Ups! Consider adding a layer of finely diced red onion for a bit of bite, some corn kernels for sweetness, or even a sprinkle of jalapeños for a touch of heat. Different cheeses can also be explored, such as sharp cheddar or pepper jack. Don’t be afraid to experiment and find your perfect flavor combination! So go ahead, give these BBQ Chicken Roll-Ups a try. I’m confident they’ll become a new family favorite!

Frequently Asked Questions about BBQ Chicken Roll-Ups:

Can I make these ahead of time?

Yes, you can definitely prepare the filling for the BBQ Chicken Roll-Ups a day in advance. Store the chicken mixture in an airtight container in the refrigerator. When you’re ready to assemble, simply spread the filling onto the tortillas and roll them up. It’s best to roll them closer to serving time for optimal freshness and to prevent the tortillas from becoming soggy.

What if I don’t have cooked chicken?

No problem! If you don’t have leftover cooked chicken, you can easily cook some chicken breasts or thighs specifically for this recipe. Simply dice or shred about 2 cups of raw chicken, season it with salt and pepper, and pan-fry it until cooked through. Alternatively, you can boil or bake the chicken and then shred or dice it. Rotisserie chicken is also an excellent shortcut!