Tailgate Buffalo Chicken Dip Bread (Printable version)
Spicy buffalo chicken dip, baked inside crusty bread. An ideal crowd-pleasing appetizer for game day or any gathering.
# What You'll Need:
→ Chicken
01 - 2 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded
→ Dairy & Sauces
02 - 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
03 - 1/2 cup ranch dressing
04 - 1/2 cup buffalo wing sauce
05 - 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
06 - 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
→ Bread
07 - 1 large French bread loaf (approximately 16 inches)
→ Garnish
08 - 2 tablespoons chopped green onions
09 - 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley (optional)
# Directions:
01 - Preheat your oven to 375°F. Line a standard baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, combine the shredded cooked chicken breast, softened cream cheese, ranch dressing, buffalo wing sauce, shredded mozzarella cheese, and shredded cheddar cheese. Mix thoroughly until all components are well blended and uniformly distributed.
03 - Carefully slice the top third off the French bread loaf lengthwise. Using a serrated knife, gently hollow out the soft interior of the bread, leaving an approximate 1/2-inch thick shell. Reserve the removed bread for another culinary purpose.
04 - Generously spoon the prepared buffalo chicken dip mixture evenly into the hollowed French bread loaf. Place the stuffed loaf onto the prepared baking sheet.
05 - Bake the stuffed bread in the preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the filling is bubbly and the bread achieves a golden-brown color.
06 - Remove the baked loaf from the oven and allow it to cool for approximately 5 minutes. Before serving, sprinkle with chopped green onions and fresh parsley, if desired.
07 - Slice the warm buffalo chicken dip stuffed bread into portions and serve immediately.
# Expert advice:
01 -
- It's the ultimate crowd-pleaser, transforming a beloved dip into a portable, edible serving vessel.
- This recipe means less dishwashing, as your 'bowl' is just as delicious as the filling!
02 -
- Do not hollow out too much bread from the bottom; you need a sturdy base to hold all that wonderful filling.
- Always ensure your cream cheese is truly softened, otherwise, you'll end up with lumps in your dip.
03 -
- For the ultimate gooey factor, use freshly shredded cheese rather than pre-shredded bags; it melts much better.
- If your loaf seems a little unsteady, you can trim a thin slice off the bottom to create a flat base before filling.