This Buffalo Chicken Pull Apart Bread is a fun and cheesy treat perfect for sharing! It features fluffy bread filled with spicy, shredded chicken and gooey cheese.
You’ll love pulling apart pieces while enjoying the zesty flavor. I can’t resist snacking on it while binge-watching my favorite shows—it’s just too tempting! 😋
Making it is super easy. Just mix your chicken and sauce, stuff the bread, and bake. It’s perfect for parties or a cozy night in!
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Sourdough or Rustic Bread: You want a sturdy bread that can hold up to the filling. Sourdough is my top choice for its flavor and texture. If you can’t find it, a hearty Italian or French bread works well too!
Shredded Chicken: Rotisserie chicken makes life easy and adds amazing flavor. You can also boil or bake chicken breasts if you prefer. For a vegetarian option, consider using shredded cauliflower or jackfruit mixed with buffalo sauce.
Buffalo Wing Sauce: This is where the heat comes from! Frank’s RedHot is a classic, but you can try other brands or make your own with hot sauce mixed with a bit of melted butter. Adjust the amount based on your heat preference.
Cheeses: Mozzarella and cheddar create that gooey, creamy texture. You can mix it up by using pepper jack for some heat or gouda for a smoky flavor. Just make sure to stick with semi-meltable cheeses!
Butter and Garlic Powder: This combination adds a delicious flavor that enhances the bread. You can use olive oil if you want a lighter option, and fresh minced garlic can be subbed for garlic powder for even more flavor.
How Do You Score the Bread Perfectly Without Tearing It Apart?
Scoring your bread creates those lovely pockets for the filling. Here’s how to do it right:
- Use a serrated knife for easy cutting.
- Make cuts about 1 inch apart, going deep but stopping short of cutting all the way through the bottom.
- Don’t rush this step. Take your time to ensure even cuts for easy pulling apart later.
With a bit of patience, you’ll have a beautiful scored loaf ready for stuffing!
What’s the Best Way to Ensure Even Melting of the Cheese?
The key to melty cheese is wrapping the loaf in foil during the baking process:
- After stuffing the bread, wrap it loosely in aluminum foil, allowing some steam to build up while keeping it from getting soggy.
- Bake it covered for the first 15 minutes to melt the cheese directly inside.
- Then remove the foil and bake it longer until the bread is crispy. This gives both the gooey inside and the crunchy outside.
With these tips, you’ll have perfectly melted cheese that pulls apart beautifully!
Buffalo Chicken Pull Apart Bread
Ingredients You’ll Need:
Main Ingredients:
- 1 large round loaf of sourdough or rustic bread
- 2 cups cooked shredded chicken (rotisserie or boiled)
- 1/2 cup Buffalo wing sauce (e.g. Frank’s RedHot)
Cheese Ingredients:
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/4 cup crumbled blue cheese, plus extra for garnish
Other Ingredients:
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley or green onions (for garnish)
- Ranch or blue cheese dressing for drizzling and dipping
- Optional: celery sticks and carrot sticks for serving
How Much Time Will You Need?
This delicious Buffalo Chicken Pull Apart Bread will take you about 15 minutes to prepare and 25 minutes to bake. So, in just under an hour, you’ll have a warm, cheesy, and zesty dish perfect for any gathering!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Preheat the Oven:
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) to get it nice and warm for baking. This will ensure your bread cooks evenly and gets crispy on the outside.
2. Prepare the Chicken:
In a medium bowl, mix the shredded chicken with the Buffalo wing sauce until it’s well-coated. The sauce adds all the delicious flavor that will be stuffed inside that bread!
3. Score the Bread:
Using a sharp bread knife, score the loaf in a crosshatch pattern. Make your cuts about 1 inch apart. Be careful to cut deep enough to form pockets but not all the way through the bottom so that the loaf stays intact.
4. Stuff the Bread:
Gently pull apart the cuts to create space and stuff them with the spicy shredded chicken and the mixed cheeses. Make sure to distribute the filling evenly so every piece is loaded!
5. Brush with Butter:
In a small bowl, mix the melted butter with garlic powder. Brush this mixture generously over the top of the bread and into the cuts. This will help it get a golden, buttery finish.
6. Bake the Loaf:
Wrap the loaf loosely in aluminum foil and place it in the preheated oven. Bake for 15 minutes to allow the filling to warm and the cheese to melt.
7. Crisp the Bread:
After the first baking time, remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes. This will give the bread a nice crispy texture on the outside!
8. Add Finishing Touches:
Once out of the oven, drizzle your favorite ranch or blue cheese dressing over the top for an extra flavor kick. Sprinkle crumbled blue cheese and chopped green onions or parsley for a fresh finish.
9. Serve & Enjoy:
Serve the Buffalo Chicken Pull Apart Bread warm, alongside extra dressing and some crunchy celery and carrot sticks for dipping. It’s perfect for sharing or enjoying all by yourself!
Enjoy pulling apart this tasty, spicy bread loaded with creamy cheese and zesty chicken! It’s sure to be a hit at any gathering! 🍞🌶️🧀
Can I Use Different Types of Bread?
Absolutely! While sourdough or rustic bread is ideal for its sturdy texture, you can also use Italian or French bread. Just make sure it’s a round loaf that can hold the filling well.
How Can I Make This Recipe Extra Spicy?
If you prefer more heat, you can add additional Buffalo wing sauce to the chicken mixture or include some diced jalapeños or sliced hot peppers in the bread before stuffing it.
Can I Make This Recipe Ahead of Time?
Yes! You can prepare the bread and fill it with the chicken and cheese mixture a day in advance. Just cover it tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate. Bake it fresh when you’re ready to serve!
How Should I Store Leftovers?
Store any leftover Buffalo Chicken Pull Apart Bread in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat, warm it gently in the oven or microwave, ensuring the cheese melts nicely again.