Description
Learn how to make this incredibly delicious and easy Chicken Bacon Ranch Stuffed Bread. Loaded with chicken, bacon, cheese, and a flavorful ranch mixture, it’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser!
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 (16 inch) loaf Italian bread
- 1 (8 oz) package chive and onion cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup bottled ranch salad dressing
- 1 ½ teaspoon garlic salt
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 3 cups rotisserie chicken, roughly chopped
- 6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
- 3 medium green onions, finely chopped
- 3 cups shredded Colby-Jack cheese, divided
- ⅓ cup unsalted butter, melted
Instructions
1. Prepare the Oven and Baking Sheet: Getting Ready to Bake
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Prepare Baking Sheet: You will not need to line the baking sheet with anything.
2. Make the Filling: A Creamy, Flavorful Mixture
- Combine Cream Cheese Mixture: In a medium mixing bowl, beat together the softened chive and onion cream cheese, ranch dressing, garlic salt, and onion powder until smooth.
- Tip: Using an electric mixer makes this step quick and easy.
- Stir in Chicken, Bacon, and Onions: Add the chopped rotisserie chicken, crumbled bacon, and finely chopped green onions to the bowl.
- Mix Well: Stir everything together by hand until the chicken, bacon, and onions are evenly distributed throughout the cream cheese mixture.
- Incorporate Cheese: Add 1 cup of the shredded Colby-Jack cheese to the filling mixture and stir until just combined.
3. Prepare the Bread: Creating a Vessel for the Filling
- Slice Bread: Using a serrated bread knife, slice the Italian bread loaf in half lengthwise, creating a top and bottom half.
- Hollow Out: Gently hollow out the soft bread from the center of each half, leaving about a 1-inch border around the edges. This creates space for the filling.
- Tip: Save the scooped-out bread for making breadcrumbs or croutons.
4. Assemble the Stuffed Bread: Building the Layers
- Sprinkle Cheese: Sprinkle 1 cup of the shredded Colby-Jack cheese evenly over the bottom half of the bread loaf.
- Spread Filling: Spread the chicken, bacon, and cheese filling evenly over the cheese layer on the bottom half of the loaf.
- Top with Cheese: Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of shredded cheese over the filling.
- Replace Top: Carefully place the top half of the bread loaf over the filling, pressing down gently to seal.
5. Add the Finishing Touches: Enhancing Flavor and Browning
- Melt Butter: In a small bowl, melt ⅓ cup of unsalted butter.
- Brush with Butter: Using a pastry brush, generously brush the entire surface of the bread loaf (top, bottom, and sides) with the melted butter.
6. Bake to Perfection: Achieving a Golden-Brown Crust and Melty Filling
- Wrap in Foil: Wrap the entire loaf tightly in aluminum foil.
- Place on Baking Sheet: Place the foil-wrapped loaf on a baking sheet.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 30-40 minutes, or until the bread is heated through and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Crisp the Top (Optional): Open the foil to expose the top of the loaf during the last 5 minutes of baking to allow it to crisp up.
7. Cool and Serve: Enjoying the Flavorful Creation
- Rest: Let the Chicken Bacon Ranch Stuffed Bread rest for about 5 minutes after baking to allow the filling to set slightly.
- Slice and Serve: Carefully remove the foil, and using a serrated knife, slice the loaf into individual portions and serve warm.