Description
Hearty chicken bacon ranch stuffed bread combines savory ingredients in a crowd-pleasing appetizer. Crispy bacon, tender chicken, and creamy ranch create a delicious blend that satisfies hungry guests at any gathering.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Protein:
- 3 cups rotisserie chicken, roughly chopped
- 6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
Cheese and Dairy:
- 1 (8 ounces / 226 grams) package chive and onion cream cheese, softened
- 3 cups shredded Colby-Jack cheese, divided
- 1 tablespoon melted butter
Bread and Seasonings:
- 1 (16 inch / 40.64 centimeters) loaf Italian bread
- 1 cup bottled ranch salad dressing
- 1 1/2 teaspoons garlic salt
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 3 medium green onions, finely chopped
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and arrange a baking sheet for preparation.
- Create a creamy filling by whisking cream cheese, Ranch dressing, garlic salt, and onion powder until smooth and velvety.
- Fold in chopped chicken, crispy bacon, green onions, and shredded cheese into the mixture, ensuring even distribution.
- Carefully slice the bread loaf lengthwise and gently excavate the interior to create a generous space for the filling.
- Sprinkle a layer of cheese on the bottom bread half, providing a flavorful foundation.
- Spread the prepared filling evenly across the cheese-lined base, ensuring complete coverage.
- Top the filling with another generous layer of cheese for extra richness.
- Position the bread’s top half over the filling, pressing gently to create a secure seal.
- Generously brush the entire exterior of the bread with melted butter for a golden, crispy finish.
- Wrap the stuffed bread completely in aluminum foil to retain moisture during baking.
- Transfer the foil-wrapped loaf to the prepared baking sheet and bake for 30-40 minutes until thoroughly heated and cheese is melted.
- During the final 5 minutes, unwrap the foil to allow the bread’s exterior to crisp and turn golden brown.
- Remove from oven and let the bread rest for 5 minutes to allow filling to set.
- Slice into portions and serve warm, revealing the delicious, gooey interior.
Notes
- Choose high-quality cream cheese for a smoother, richer filling that blends seamlessly with other ingredients.
- Swap regular bacon for turkey bacon to create a lighter, lower-fat version of this indulgent recipe.
- Customize the heat level by adding diced jalapeños or red pepper flakes to the filling for extra kick.
- Use gluten-free bread and ensure all other ingredients are gluten-free to make this dish suitable for those with gluten sensitivities.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 590
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 1030 mg
- Fat: 36 g
- Saturated Fat: 18 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 39 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg