Description
Scrumptious chicken bacon ranch stuffed bread combines savory ingredients in a crowd-pleasing appetizer. Golden-brown pastry encases juicy chicken, crispy bacon, and creamy ranch, promising delightful bites you’ll crave again.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 large French or Italian bread loaf
- 2 cups cooked, shredded chicken
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella or cheddar cheese
- ½ cup ranch dressing
- ½ cup cooked bacon, crumbled (about 4–5 strips)
- 2 tbsps unsalted butter, melted
- ¼ cup chopped green onions
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- Chopped fresh parsley (for garnish)
Instructions
- Preparation: Warm the oven to 375F (190C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Slice off the bread’s top and hollow out the interior, creating a receptacle for the rich filling.
- Filling Creation: Combine shredded chicken, ranch dressing, shredded cheese, crumbled bacon, and green onions in a bowl. Mix thoroughly until ingredients are evenly distributed, creating a cohesive and flavorful blend.
- Bread Stuffing: Carefully pack the chicken mixture into the bread cavity, ensuring an even distribution that reaches every corner of the bread boat. Press gently to compact the filling.
- Garlic Butter Coating: Whisk melted butter with garlic powder until smooth. Lavishly brush the butter across the bread’s exterior and edges, promising a golden and crisp exterior.
- Baking and Finishing: Place the stuffed bread on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 20-25 minutes. Look for completely melted cheese and a golden-brown crust. Once done, remove from the oven and let rest briefly. Optional: Garnish with freshly chopped parsley. Slice into generous portions and serve while warm, showcasing the succulent filling and crispy bread.
Notes
- Maximize Chicken Texture: Shred chicken while still warm for easier and more consistent mixing, preventing clumpy filling and ensuring smooth, even distribution of ranch and seasonings.
- Prevent Soggy Bottom: Allow chicken mixture to cool slightly before stuffing to reduce excess moisture, which can make bread base soggy and compromise the crispy exterior.
- Cheese Melting Hack: Use a blend of cheeses like sharp cheddar and mozzarella for optimal melting and rich flavor profile, creating a more complex and satisfying stuffed bread experience.
- Customize Dietary Needs: Swap regular bread for gluten-free loaf, use turkey bacon for lower fat content, and substitute ranch with Greek yogurt-based dressing for lighter, protein-rich alternative that maintains creamy texture.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3
- Calories: 600
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 1200 mg
- Fat: 32 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 50 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg