Description
Enjoy a mouthwatering stuffed bread filled with tender chicken, crispy bacon, and creamy ranch dressing, topped with melted cheese. Perfect for gatherings or family dinners, this savory dish is sure to impress!
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 large loaf of Italian bread or French bread
- 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded or diced
- 8 slices of cooked bacon, crumbled
- 1 cup ranch dressing
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook the Chicken: If you haven’t already cooked your chicken, you can either boil, grill, or bake it. I usually prefer grilling for that smoky flavor. Once cooked, let it cool slightly, then shred or dice it into bite-sized pieces.
- Cook the Bacon: In a skillet over medium heat, cook the bacon until crispy, about 8-10 minutes. Transfer the bacon to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess grease. Once cooled, crumble the bacon into small pieces.
- Mix the Filling: In a large mixing bowl, combine the shredded chicken, crumbled bacon, ranch dressing, cheddar cheese, mozzarella cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, and dried parsley (if using). Season with salt and pepper to taste. Mix everything together until well combined.
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Prepare the Bread Loaf: Place your loaf of Italian or French bread on a cutting board. Using a serrated knife, carefully slice the bread in half lengthwise.
- Hollow Out the Bread: Gently remove some of the soft bread from the inside of each half, creating enough space for the filling.
- Brush with Olive Oil: Drizzle olive oil over the cut sides of the bread.
- Fill the Bread: Spoon the chicken and bacon mixture evenly into each half of the hollowed-out bread.
- Top with Cheese: Sprinkle any leftover cheese generously on top of the filling.
- Close the Bread: Optionally, place the top half of the bread back on or leave it open-faced.
- Wrap in Foil: Wrap the stuffed loaf in aluminum foil.
- Bake: Place the wrapped bread on a baking sheet and bake for about 20-25 minutes. Unwrap for the last 5-10 minutes for a bubbly, golden cheese topping.
- Check for Doneness: After 25 minutes, unwrap the foil and check the bread. If needed, return it to the oven for an additional 5-10 minutes.
- Let it Cool: Allow the stuffed bread to cool for about 5-10 minutes.
- Slice and Serve: Using a sharp knife, slice the stuffed bread into individual portions, about 2 inches wide.
- Garnish (Optional): Sprinkle fresh parsley or chives on top before serving for an extra touch.
Notes
- Feel free to customize the filling with your favorite ingredients, such as different cheeses or vegetables.
- This dish can be made ahead of time and baked just before serving for a warm, fresh meal.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes