Description
Cheesy Chicken Garlic Bread is a quick and easy savory snack or light meal that combines tender cooked chicken, melted cheese, and fragrant garlic butter spread on crispy, buttery bread. Ready in under 20 minutes, this versatile and indulgent dish is perfect for sharing, customizable with your favorite herbs and spices, and packed with rich, comforting flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
Bread
- 1 sturdy loaf of French bread or baguette
Protein
- 1 to 1 1/2 cups cooked chicken, shredded or diced
Garlic Butter
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 2 to 3 cloves garlic, minced
- Pinch of salt
- Pinch of black pepper
Cheese
- 1 to 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella or cheddar cheese (or cheese of choice)
Herbs & Seasonings
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley or basil, chopped
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prepare Your Bread Base: Slice your bread loaf lengthwise to create flat surfaces for toppings, ensuring the pieces are thick enough to hold the toppings without collapsing. Place the bread halves on a baking tray lined with parchment paper.
- Make the Garlic Butter: In a small pan, melt the butter over low heat. Stir in the minced garlic along with a pinch of salt and black pepper. Cook gently until the garlic is fragrant but not browned, about 1 to 2 minutes.
- Spread the Garlic Butter: Brush the garlic butter generously over both halves of the bread, rubbing it in to infuse flavor into every bite.
- Add the Chicken: Evenly distribute the shredded or diced cooked chicken across the bread, ensuring each slice receives a good amount of protein.
- Top with Cheese: Sprinkle shredded mozzarella, cheddar, or your cheese of choice liberally over the chicken layer to create a gooey topping.
- Bake to Perfection: Place the prepared bread under a preheated broiler or in an oven heated to 400°F (200°C). Bake for 5 to 7 minutes, watching closely until the cheese bubbles and turns golden brown.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove the bread from the oven and sprinkle freshly chopped parsley or basil on top for a pop of color and fresh flavor. Slice and serve warm.
Notes
- Use day-old bread for better absorption of butter and to prevent sogginess.
- Pre-cooked chicken, such as rotisserie or leftovers, saves time and adds flavor.
- Avoid overloading toppings to keep the bread easy to handle and crispy.
- Broiling helps melt and crisp the cheese quickly and evenly.
- Let the bread rest for a minute after baking to allow the melted cheese to set and prevent spills.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of prepared bread
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 480mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 55mg
Keywords: cheesy chicken garlic bread, garlic bread, cheesy bread, chicken snack, quick appetizer, easy snack