This Buffalo Chicken Pull Apart Bread is a fun and tasty treat! Soft, buttery bread pieces are filled with spicy buffalo chicken and gooey cheese, making it perfect for sharing.
You won’t be able to resist pulling off piece after piece! I love serving this at parties—it’s always a hit and doesn’t last long. Perfect for snacking or game days!
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Bread: For the best texture, use a crusty bread like sourdough or artisan. If you’re in a rush, a pre-sliced loaf can work; just be mindful of the slice thickness to maintain a good pull-apart effect.
Chicken: Shredded rotisserie chicken is super convenient and adds great flavor. If you need a faster option, canned chicken also does the trick—just drain it well!
Buffalo Wing Sauce: Frank’s RedHot is popular, but any buffalo sauce will work. For a milder flavor, mix in some BBQ sauce or a bit of ranch dressing with your buffalo sauce.
Cheese: I love the combo of cheddar and mozzarella for that perfect melty mix. Feel free to use pepper jack for an extra kick, or even a dairy-free cheese alternative if needed.
Blue Cheese: If blue cheese isn’t your favorite, feta or goat cheese can be a lovely substitute, adding a similar tanginess without the strong flavor.
How Can I Cut the Bread for Easy Pulling Apart?
Getting the right cut on your bread makes a huge difference. Here’s how to do it:
- Start by placing the bread on a cutting board. Use a serrated knife for better control.
- Make cuts about 1 inch apart, going down vertically, then horizontally, creating a grid. Be careful to stop short, so the loaf holds its shape.
- Gently wiggle the knife if necessary to avoid cutting all the way through.
- This method allows for easy stuffing and pulling apart later without making a mess.
With these tips, you’ll have a delicious Buffalo Chicken Pull Apart Bread that’s perfect for any gathering! Enjoy every cheesy, spicy bite!
Buffalo Chicken Pull Apart Bread
Ingredients You’ll Need:
- 1 large round loaf of crusty bread (such as sourdough or artisan bread)
- 2 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded
- 1/2 cup buffalo wing sauce (such as Frank’s RedHot)
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup blue cheese crumbles
- 3 tablespoons butter, melted
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 green onions, thinly sliced
- Ranch or blue cheese dressing, for serving (optional)
How Much Time Will You Need?
This delightful Buffalo Chicken Pull Apart Bread takes about 15 minutes of prep time and 30 minutes of baking time. So, you’ll spend around 45 minutes total to make this crowd-pleaser. It’s quick, easy, and oh-so-delicious!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Preheat the Oven:
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). This will ensure it’s nice and hot when your bread is ready to bake!
2. Prepare the Chicken:
In a mixing bowl, combine the shredded cooked chicken with the buffalo wing sauce. Toss it well until all the chicken pieces are fully coated. This is where the spicy flavor comes from!
3. Cut the Bread:
Using a sharp bread knife, carefully make cuts in the loaf about 1 inch apart. Make these cuts both vertically and horizontally, creating a crisscross or grid pattern. Be careful not to cut all the way through; leave about 1 inch at the bottom so the loaf stays intact.
4. Make the Garlic Butter:
In a small bowl, mix the melted butter with the minced garlic. This will add a beautiful flavor to the bread!
5. Brush the Bread:
Gently pull apart the sections of the bread where you made the cuts and brush some of the garlic butter inside the cracks. This will infuse the flavor into the bread as it bakes.
6. Stuff with Buffalo Chicken:
Now, take the buffalo chicken mixture and stuff it evenly into the cuts of the bread. Make sure to push it in well—this is going to be super tasty!
7. Add the Cheese:
Sprinkle a generous amount of cheddar and mozzarella cheese over the stuffed chicken in the bread cracks. More cheese equals more deliciousness!
8. Wrap and Bake:
Wrap the stuffed bread loaf tightly in aluminum foil and place it on a baking sheet. Bake for about 20 minutes. Then, unwrap the foil and continue baking for another 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the bread edges are crispy and golden.
9. Finish and Serve:
Once out of the oven, drizzle some extra buffalo sauce over the top for added flavor. Garnish with blue cheese crumbles and sliced green onions for a nice finish!
10. Enjoy:
Serve the bread warm, accompanied by ranch or blue cheese dressing for dipping. Enjoy pulling apart this gooey, spicy, cheesy buffalo chicken bread with friends and family!
Can I Use Frozen Chicken for This Recipe?
Yes, you can! Just make sure to fully thaw the chicken before using it. Thaw frozen chicken in the fridge overnight or quickly by submerging it in cold water. Once thawed, shred it and mix with buffalo sauce.
How Should I Store Leftovers?
Leftovers can be stored 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 until heated through or microwave it until warm.
Can I Make This Dish Ahead of Time?
Absolutely! You can prepare the stuffed bread a few hours in advance, wrap it tightly in foil, and refrigerate. When ready to enjoy, just bake it straight from the fridge, adding an extra 10 minutes to the baking time.
What Are Some Good Substitutions for Buffalo Sauce?
If you want a milder flavor, you can mix buffalo sauce with BBQ sauce or ranch dressing. For a spicy kick, try adding a bit of hot sauce or sriracha to your buffalo sauce!