This fun Buffalo Chicken Pull Apart Bread is a tasty treat! It features soft, warm bread pieces stuffed with spicy buffalo chicken and gooey cheese. Perfect for sharing!
It’s like a delicious game-day hug for your taste buds! I love to pull apart a piece, dip it in ranch, and enjoy the party vibes. Everyone will be going back for more! 🎉
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Crusty Bread: A round loaf like sourdough or boule works best for this recipe. You can substitute with any sturdy bread like Italian or French bread, but it needs to hold up to the stuffing.
Cooked Chicken: Shredded rotisserie chicken is my go-to for convenience and flavor. If you don’t have chicken on hand, you can use canned chicken or turkey as a substitute.
Buffalo Wing Sauce: Frank’s RedHot is a classic choice, but you can adjust the heat with milder or hotter sauces depending on your taste. For a milder flavor, consider using barbecue sauce.
Cheese: While I favor mozzarella for its meltiness, you can also mix in cheddar or Monterey Jack for extra flavor. For a cheesier effect, use a combination of cheeses!
Green Onions: Chopped green onions add a nice pop of flavor, but if unavailable, chopped chives or even diced white onions work well too.
How Do I Stuff the Bread Without Making a Mess?
Stuffing the bread is a key step to ensure each pull is loaded with chicken and cheese. Here’s a simple method to get it right:
- Score the bread carefully with parallel and perpendicular cuts without going all the way through. This creates pockets for stuffing.
- Gently pull the cuts apart just a bit, making room for the chicken mixture.
- Use a spoon to stuff the chicken into all the cuts, followed by layers of cheese. Don’t worry if it spills a little; it’s all part of the fun!
- Drizzle that garlic butter mix over the top, soaking in between the cuts to enhance flavor.
Remember, the key is to be gentle so you don’t break the bread apart completely. With practice, it becomes easier every time!
Buffalo Chicken Pull Apart Bread
Ingredients You’ll Need:
- 1 round loaf of crusty bread (such as sourdough or boule)
- 2 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded
- 1/2 cup Buffalo wing sauce (like Frank’s RedHot)
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup crumbled blue cheese
- 1/4 cup chopped green onions (scallions)
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- Ranch or blue cheese dressing, for serving (optional)
- Celery and carrot sticks, for serving (optional)
How Much Time Will You Need?
This delicious pull apart bread takes about 15 minutes to prepare and 20–25 minutes to bake. In total, you’ll be looking at around 40–45 minutes from start to finish. Perfect for a quick and exciting appetizer!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Preheat the Oven:
First, set your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil to keep the clean-up easy later on.
2. Prepare the Bread:
Take a sharp bread knife and score the round loaf. Make parallel cuts about 1-inch apart, only going halfway through the loaf. Then, turn the bread and make perpendicular cuts, creating a crosshatch pattern. Be careful not to cut all the way through the bottom crust so the bread stays intact.
3. Mix Chicken and Sauce:
In a large mixing bowl, combine the shredded chicken with the Buffalo wing sauce. Stir until the chicken is evenly coated in that spicy goodness!
4. Stuff the Bread:
Gently pull apart the scored bread pieces. Carefully stuff the Buffalo chicken mixture into each cut, making sure to fill them well. Then, sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese generously into all the gaps. This will melt beautifully as the bread bakes!
5. Add Butter and Garlic:
In a small bowl, mix together the melted butter and garlic powder. Drizzle this mixture evenly over the stuffed bread, allowing it to soak into the cuts for added flavor.
6. Bake:
Place your stuffed bread onto the prepared baking sheet and bake in the preheated oven for about 20-25 minutes. You want it to be golden, and the cheese should be melted and bubbly!
7. Finish It Off:
Once baked, remove the bread from the oven. Sprinkle crumbled blue cheese and chopped green onions over the top for that extra zing.
8. Serve and Enjoy:
Serve your warm Buffalo chicken pull apart bread with ranch or blue cheese dressing for dipping, along with some celery and carrot sticks on the side. Enjoy pulling apart those cheesy, spicy bread pieces at your next gathering!
Happy eating!
Can I Use Store-Bought Rotisserie Chicken?
Absolutely! Store-bought rotisserie chicken is a fantastic time-saver and adds great flavor. Just shred it and toss it with the Buffalo wing sauce as directed.
Can I Prepare This Dish Ahead of Time?
Yes! You can prepare the bread, stuff it with the chicken mixture, and refrigerate it for up to a day in advance. Just cover it tightly with plastic wrap. When ready to bake, let it sit at room temperature for about 15-20 minutes before popping it in the oven.
What If I Don’t Have Blue Cheese?
No worries! If blue cheese isn’t your style or you don’t have any on hand, you can skip it or substitute it with crumbled feta cheese or additional mozzarella for a creamier texture.
How Do I Store Leftovers?
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2-3 days. To reheat, wrap in foil and warm in the oven at 350°F until heated through, or microwave individual pieces for a quick snack!