Description
This indulgent recipe combines creamy, spicy buffalo chicken dip with a crispy, buttery garlic bread boat for the ultimate game day appetizer. It’s self-contained, easy to make, and guaranteed to disappear fast.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups cooked, shredded chicken (rotisserie or leftover grilled)
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup buffalo hot sauce (e.g., Frank’s RedHot)
- 1/2 cup ranch dressing
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 green onions, sliced
- 1 large loaf French bread or Italian bread (about 18 inches long)
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
- 1/4 cup extra shredded mozzarella (for topping the bread before filling)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Prepare the bread boat: slice off the top third of the bread lengthwise to create a lid. Hollow out the bottom half, leaving a 1/2-inch border. Save the removed bread for another use.
- Make the garlic butter: combine melted butter, minced garlic, and chopped parsley. Brush the inside of the hollowed bread boat with half the garlic butter, and the cut side of the lid with the remaining butter. Sprinkle the inside of the boat with 1/4 cup extra mozzarella.
- Toast the bread boat: place the hollowed boat and lid on the baking sheet, cut sides up. Bake for 5-7 minutes until lightly golden and cheese is melted. Remove from oven.
- Make the filling: in a medium bowl, combine softened cream cheese, shredded chicken, buffalo hot sauce, ranch dressing, and half the sliced green onions. Stir until well combined and creamy.
- Fold in 1 cup mozzarella and 1/2 cup cheddar cheese. Reserve about 1/4 cup of the mixed cheeses for topping.
- Fill the bread boat: spoon the buffalo chicken dip mixture into the toasted bread boat, spreading evenly. Top with reserved cheese and remaining green onions.
- Bake the stuffed bread boat: place on the baking sheet (without lid) and bake for 15-20 minutes until hot, bubbly, and cheese is melted and golden. Tent with foil if edges brown too quickly.
- For the last 2-3 minutes, place the garlic bread lid on top (cut side down) to warm through.
- Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes. Slice into 2-inch sections and serve warm.
Notes
Toast the bread first to prevent sogginess. Use room temperature cream cheese for a smooth filling. Shred your own cheese for better melting. Let the bread boat rest for 5 minutes before cutting to allow the filling to set. For a spicier version, add chopped pickled jalapeños or use a hotter hot sauce. For a milder version, reduce hot sauce to 1/4 cup and add extra ranch dressing.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6 of recipe
- Calories: 485
- Sugar: 3
- Sodium: 890
- Fat: 29
- Carbohydrates: 32
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 28
Keywords: buffalo chicken dip, garlic bread boat, game day appetizer, stuffed bread, buffalo chicken, easy appetizer, party food