This Buffalo Chicken Pull Apart Bread is a fun and tasty twist on the classic favorite! Soft bread pieces are filled with spicy buffalo chicken and gooey cheese—what’s not to love?
It’s perfect for game day or just a cozy night in. I keep a plate nearby because it disappears fast! 🥖 I enjoy sharing it with friends or munching on it while binge-watching my favorite shows!
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Bread: A round loaf like sourdough or a boule works best here. If you can’t find those, a soft ciabatta or a French bread loaf will also do! Just ensure it’s crusty enough to hold up against the fillings.
Chicken: I use rotisserie chicken because it’s convenient and packed with flavor. You can also use leftover grilled or baked chicken. For a vegetarian option, try using shredded jackfruit or canned chickpeas seasoned with buffalo sauce!
Buffalo Wing Sauce: Frank’s RedHot is a classic and my personal favorite, but any hot sauce you like will work. For a milder flavor, reduce the amount or mix in some ranch dressing.
Cheese: I love the combination of cheddar and mozzarella for a gooey texture. If you’re a fan of sharp flavors, try swapping in pepper jack for some extra spice! You can also make it dairy-free by using vegan cheese alternatives.
Blue Cheese: You can skip this if you’re not a fan, or substitute it with feta or a crumbled goat cheese. If you want to avoid cheese altogether, try a vegan cheese option.
How Do You Cut the Bread Without Making a Mess?
Cutting the bread into cubes without tearing it apart can be tricky. Here’s how to do it right:
- Use a serrated knife for clean cuts. This helps prevent squishing the loaf.
- Make your vertical cuts first, about 1 inch apart, making sure to stop 3/4 through the bottom crust. This keeps the loaf intact.
- Next, make horizontal cuts in the same way. Keep a gentle hand to avoid breaking any pieces.
- Once you have your grid pattern, gently pull apart each section to create spaces for stuffing!
Patience is key here! Taking your time will lead to even cuts and help keep everything together for filling.
Buffalo Chicken Pull Apart Bread
Ingredients You’ll Need:
For the Bread:
- 1 large round loaf of crusty bread (such as sourdough or boule)
For the Filling:
- 2 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded
- 1/2 cup buffalo wing sauce (like Frank’s RedHot)
For the Cheese:
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup blue cheese crumbles
For Topping:
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 1/4 cup green onions, sliced
For Serving:
- Ranch or blue cheese dressing, for drizzling and dipping (optional)
- Carrot sticks, for serving (optional)
How Much Time Will You Need?
This delicious pull apart bread will take about 10 minutes to prepare and approximately 15-20 minutes to bake, making it ready in just 30-35 minutes total!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Preheat Your Oven:
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures your bread will bake perfectly, crispy on the outside and warm and gooey on the inside!
2. Prepare the Chicken Filling:
In a bowl, toss your shredded cooked chicken with the buffalo wing sauce until every piece is well coated. This step packs your bread with that fantastic buffalo flavor!
3. Cut the Bread:
Using a serrated knife, carefully cut the bread into a grid pattern. Make vertical cuts about 1 inch apart, cutting about 3/4 through the loaf. Then, make horizontal cuts about 1 inch apart. Be gentle to keep the bottom crust intact!
4. Stuff the Bread:
Gently pull apart the cut bread cubes to create space for your filling. Evenly stuff the buffalo chicken mixture between the bread slices, making sure to fill it well!
5. Add the Cheeses:
In a bowl, mix together the shredded cheddar and mozzarella cheeses. Sprinkle this delicious cheese mixture evenly over and in between the stuffed bread pieces. The more cheese, the better!
6. Drizzle with Butter:
Take your melted butter and drizzle it all over the stuffed bread. This will help it crisp up nicely in the oven!
7. Bake It Up:
Place your stuffed bread on a lined baking sheet and pop it in the oven. Bake for about 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and the bread is slightly toasted.
8. Final Touches:
Once your bread is out of the oven, sprinkle blue cheese crumbles and sliced green onions over the top for a burst of flavor and color!
9. Serve and Enjoy:
Drizzle more ranch or blue cheese dressing on top if you like. Serve warm with carrot sticks and extra dipping sauce on the side. Enjoy pulling apart this cheesy buffalo chicken bread with friends and family!
This is not just a dish; it’s an experience, and I hope you love every cheesy, spicy bite!
Can I Use Store-Bought Rotisserie Chicken?
Absolutely! Using store-bought rotisserie chicken is a great time-saver and adds delicious flavor. Just shred the meat before mixing it with the buffalo sauce.
Can I Make This Recipe Ahead of Time?
Yes! You can prepare the filling and stuff the bread the night before, then wrap it in plastic wrap and store it in the fridge. Just pop it in the oven when you’re ready to bake!
How Should I Store Leftovers?
Store any leftover pull apart bread in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat, wrap it in foil and warm it in the oven at 350°F (175°C) until heated through to keep the bread nice and soft.
Can I Make This Recipe Vegetarian?
Definitely! Substitute the chicken with shredded jackfruit or cooked lentils combined with buffalo sauce for a tasty vegetarian option. Just ensure the rest of your ingredients are also vegetarian-friendly!