Today I’m sharing a favorite recipe: Thai Style French Bread Pizza. This fusion dish blends the comfort of classic French bread pizza with the bright, bold flavors of Thailand. It features a garlic butter base, a rich and spicy Thai peanut sauce, smoked chicken, melted mozzarella-provolone, and a crunchy purple cabbage slaw for a refreshing contrast. It’s easy to prepare and perfect for family dinners, casual gatherings, or as an appetizer for a party.
Thai Style French Bread Pizza
This Thai French Bread Pizza combines creamy, tangy, sweet, and spicy elements for a balanced and satisfying bite. The garlic butter brushed on the bread adds savory richness, while the Thai peanut sauce brings deep sweet and umami notes. Smoked chicken provides a savory, slightly smoky protein component, and the purple cabbage slaw adds a crisp, tangy finish that brightens the entire dish.
The recipe is approachable and adaptable: swap smoked chicken for any cooked, shredded meat, use cashew butter instead of peanut butter if needed, or make the slaw and sauce ahead to speed up assembly. Below you’ll find a full shopping list, ingredient breakdown, step-by-step instructions, notes, and nutrition information so you can recreate this unique pizza at home.
Recipe Shopping List
You’ll likely need to pick up a few items from the store. The list below covers everything you’ll need to make the recipe; quantities are listed in the Ingredients section.
- Rice vinegar
- Soy sauce
- Sesame oil
- Toasted sesame seeds
- Lime
- Purple cabbage
- Peanut butter (or cashew butter)
- Brown sugar
- Chili garlic sauce
- Garlic powder
- Ground ginger
- Butter
- Parsley (dried or fresh)
- Salt
- French bread loaf
- Mozzarella with provolone (shredded)
- Smoked or rotisserie chicken
- Carrots
- Peanuts (salted, crushed)
- Cilantro
How To Make This Recipe (Overview)
Below is a quick overview of the process so you can see what to expect. Detailed instructions follow in the Ingredients & Instructions section.
- Preheat your pellet grill or oven to 425°F (220°C).
- Prepare the purple cabbage slaw and the Thai peanut sauce first so flavors can develop while you assemble the pizzas.
- Slice the bread into portions and brush with garlic butter.
- Spread a generous layer of peanut sauce, top with cheese and smoked chicken, then bake until bubbly and golden.
- Finish with slaw, crushed peanuts, sesame seeds, and cilantro; drizzle any remaining peanut sauce over the top to serve.
Recipe FAQ
Can I make the Thai peanut sauce ahead of time?
Yes. Making the sauce ahead helps flavors meld. Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator until ready to use.
Can I use a different cheese?
Yes. Mozzarella with provolone works well because it melts smoothly and has a mild flavor. If you can’t find that blend, provolone alone or a good melting cheese will work.
Can I use a different meat?
Absolutely. Pulled pork, shredded beef, smoked turkey, or rotisserie chicken are all great alternatives. Use whatever cooked, shredded protein you prefer.
More Recipes With Smoked Chicken (Ideas)
- Smoked Chicken Tortilla Soup
- Smoked Chicken Salad Sandwich
- Smoked Chicken Gorgonzola Pasta Salad
- Jalapeño Popper Smoked Chicken Soup
- Smoked Green Chili Chicken Enchiladas
- Traeger Chicken Pot Pie
- Traeger Buffalo Chicken Flatbread
- Traeger Grilled Chicken Sandwich
Thai Style French Bread Pizza
Indulge in the bright, savory flavors of Thailand on a cheesy, crunchy French bread base. This pizza balances spicy peanut sauce with cool purple cabbage slaw and toasted peanuts for texture.
Prep Time: 30 minutes • Cook Time: 12 minutes • Total Time: 42 minutes
Ingredients
Purple Cabbage Slaw topping
- ¼ cup rice vinegar
- ½ tablespoon soy sauce
- ½ teaspoon sesame oil
- ½ teaspoon toasted sesame seeds
- Juice and zest of 1 lime
- 2 cups packed, finely shredded purple cabbage
Thai Peanut Sauce
- ½ cup creamy peanut butter (or cashew butter)
- ¼ cup hot water (adjust to desired consistency)
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- 3 teaspoons chili garlic sauce (reduce for milder heat)
- 1½ teaspoons toasted sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
Garlic Butter Base
- 2 tablespoons salted butter, melted
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon dried parsley
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
Pizza
- 1 large French bread loaf (about 16–18 oz)
- 3 cups shredded mozzarella with provolone
- 2 cups cooked smoked or rotisserie chicken, chopped
- ¼ cup finely shredded carrots
- ¼ cup salted party peanuts, crushed
- Fresh cilantro, chopped
- Toasted sesame seeds, for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat the pellet grill or oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or foil.
- Make the purple cabbage slaw: In a bowl combine rice vinegar, soy sauce, sesame oil, toasted sesame seeds, lime juice and zest. Toss the shredded purple cabbage in the dressing to coat and set aside to marinate briefly.
- Prepare the Thai peanut sauce: In a bowl whisk together peanut butter, hot water, soy sauce, rice vinegar, brown sugar, lime juice, chili garlic sauce, toasted sesame oil, garlic powder, and ginger until smooth. Adjust water to reach a spreadable consistency.
- Slice the French bread in half lengthwise, then cut each half into two pieces to make four individual pizzas. Place cut sides up on the prepared baking sheet.
- Make the garlic butter by combining melted butter with garlic powder, dried parsley, and salt. Brush the cut sides of the bread with this mixture.
- Spread a thick layer of peanut sauce over the garlic butter on each bread piece. Add a light layer of cheese over the peanut sauce.
- Top each piece with about ½ cup chopped smoked chicken, then divide the remaining cheese evenly and pile it on top. Press toppings gently to secure.
- Sprinkle shredded carrots and some crushed peanuts over each pizza.
- Bake for approximately 12–15 minutes, until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and golden. If needed, lightly spray or brush the cheese with a bit of oil halfway through to help achieve a glossy golden top.
- Remove from the oven or grill and let cool slightly. Drain any excess liquid from the slaw and place about ¼ of the slaw on each pizza.
- Garnish with additional crushed peanuts, sesame seeds, and chopped cilantro. Place any remaining peanut sauce in a small container and drizzle over the pizzas or serve for dipping.
- Slice and enjoy while warm.
Notes
Cashew option: Cashew butter works well in place of peanut butter. You may want to add an extra tablespoon of brown sugar if you prefer a sweeter sauce.
Cutting options: For two larger pizzas, cut the loaf in half hamburger-style instead of into four pieces.
Make it milder: Reduce or omit the chili garlic sauce for a less spicy version. If completely omitted, add an extra ¼–½ teaspoon garlic powder for flavor balance.
Serving suggestions: These pizzas are great served as a main course with a simple green salad or cut into smaller slices and served as party appetizers.
Nutrition Information (Estimate)
Yield: 4 • Serving Size: 1
Calories (per serving): 875 • Total Fat: 57g • Saturated Fat: 20g • Cholesterol: 201mg • Sodium: 2156mg • Carbohydrates: 38g • Fiber: 5g • Sugar: 13g • Protein: 59g
Nutrition data provided here is only an estimate.