Easy Barbecue Chicken Stuffed French Bread: The Ultimate Weeknight Dinner Recipe
Discover how to make a truly unforgettable Barbecue Chicken Stuffed French Bread – a crispy, cheesy, and utterly delicious chicken dinner that’s perfect for any occasion!
There’s something uniquely heartwarming about gathering with loved ones over a delicious meal. Whether it’s a lively dinner party with close friends or a cozy family night, these shared moments of laughter, conversation, and good food are truly rejuvenating. I find immense joy in connecting with my girlfriends, swapping stories, and occasionally, even getting our hands dirty in the kitchen together. It’s in these informal settings that some of the best culinary ideas are born.
Recently, while planning a get-together with a dear friend, we found ourselves in a delicious dilemma. She was craving something with a barbecue twist, while my mind was set on a satisfying bread-based dish, perhaps a hearty sandwich. Instead of choosing one over the other, we decided to combine our cravings, leading to the creation of this incredible **Barbecue Chicken Stuffed French Bread**. It’s the perfect fusion of smoky, tangy barbecue chicken and warm, crusty bread, all brought together with a generous helping of melted cheese. This recipe isn’t just a meal; it’s an experience designed for sharing and savoring.
Why You’ll Love This Easy BBQ Chicken French Bread Recipe
This **Barbecue Chicken Stuffed French Bread** isn’t just easy; it’s a testament to how simple ingredients can come together to create something truly spectacular. We all lead busy lives, and finding time for elaborate cooking can be a challenge. That’s precisely why this recipe is a game-changer. It leverages the convenience of a store-bought rotisserie chicken, transforming it into a gourmet-level meal with minimal effort.
From prep to plate, you’re looking at about 30 minutes, making it an ideal choice for a **quick weeknight dinner** or a last-minute gathering. The simplicity of using pre-cooked chicken, your favorite bottled barbecue sauce, and pre-shredded cheese means less chopping, less cooking, and most importantly, less stress. This allows you to focus more on the connections made around the dinner table and less on the time spent in the kitchen. The result is a **family-friendly recipe** that delights taste buds of all ages, promising a crispy, gooey, and flavorful experience in every bite.
Key Ingredients for Your Perfect Stuffed French Bread
The beauty of this recipe lies in its straightforward ingredient list, most of which you probably already have or can easily pick up. Here’s a closer look at what makes this dish so good:
- French Bread: A sturdy yet soft French bread loaf is the backbone of this recipe. Its crusty exterior holds up beautifully to the flavorful filling, while the soft interior provides the perfect vehicle for all that cheesy BBQ goodness. You’ll want a medium-sized loaf that’s easy to hollow out.
- Cooked Chicken: The ultimate time-saver! A rotisserie chicken is your best friend here. Simply shred or chop it, and you’re halfway there. If you prefer, you can also boil and shred chicken breasts or use leftover cooked chicken from another meal.
- Barbecue Sauce: Choose your favorite! Whether you prefer sweet, smoky, tangy, or a little spicy, the barbecue sauce is a star ingredient that dictates the primary flavor profile. Don’t be shy about trying different brands or even making your own homemade sauce if you have the time.
- Red Onion: Diced red onion adds a subtle zing and a pleasant crunch that complements the rich chicken and cheese. Its mild sharpness is a welcome contrast to the sweetness of the BBQ sauce.
- Cheddar Cheese: Plenty of shredded cheddar cheese ensures a wonderfully gooey and savory interior. Cheddar melts beautifully and its sharp flavor pairs perfectly with barbecue. Feel free to experiment with other cheeses like Monterey Jack, mozzarella, or a Tex-Mex blend for a different twist.
- Fresh Cilantro (for garnish): A sprinkle of fresh cilantro at the end brightens up the dish with its vibrant color and fresh, herbaceous flavor.
Bringing it All Together: Step-by-Step Excellence
Crafting this **cheesy French bread** is surprisingly simple, yet the outcome is always impressive. Here’s a brief overview of the process:
- Prepare Your Oven: Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C), ensuring it’s ready to bake your masterpiece evenly.
- Mix the Filling: In a large bowl, combine your shredded rotisserie chicken, your chosen barbecue sauce, diced red onion, and half of the shredded cheddar cheese. Stir well until everything is thoroughly coated and combined. This mixture is the heart of your **BBQ chicken stuffed French bread**.
- Prep the Bread: Carefully slice the top off your French bread loaf lengthwise. Then, gently hollow out the soft center, leaving a sturdy crust. Don’t discard the removed bread! It can be toasted into croutons or processed into breadcrumbs for future use.
- Stuff and Bake: Generously fill the hollowed bread loaf with your delicious chicken mixture. Wrap the stuffed bread in foil to prevent it from getting too dark too quickly and to help the flavors meld. Bake for about 20 minutes.
- Add More Cheese and Broil: After the initial bake, remove the foil, top the bread with the remaining cheddar cheese, and switch your oven to broiler mode. Return it to the oven for about 5 minutes, or until the cheese is beautifully melted and bubbly, and the crust is golden brown and crispy.
- Garnish and Serve: Once out of the oven, garnish with fresh cilantro for a pop of color and freshness. Slice into generous portions and serve immediately.
This method ensures that every part of the bread is infused with flavor, from the crispy crust to the tender, cheesy filling. It’s truly a **crowd-pleasing main dish** or even a fantastic appetizer for game day!
The Perfect Pairing: Refreshing Lipton Iced Tea
No delightful meal is complete without the perfect beverage, and for me, that’s often a pitcher of iced tea. It’s seriously my go-to drink, all day, every day. Whenever my family gathers, it’s a running joke between my sister-in-law and me about who can drink more! So, naturally, serving this savory **Barbecue Chicken Stuffed French Bread** with a glass of Lipton Peach flavored iced tea was an obvious and delightful choice.
Lipton offers an amazing variety of flavors, so you can always find a perfect match for any meal, ensuring you never get bored. While iced tea might sometimes be overlooked during meal planning, it’s truly the ideal drink to complement a wide array of dishes. Its refreshing crispness cuts through the richness of the barbecue sauce and cheese, offering a perfectly balanced dining experience. Whether it’s the fruity notes of peach or a classic black tea, Lipton iced tea elevates your meal, transforming a simple dinner into a more memorable occasion. It’s about creating those cherished moments – cooking, sharing, and enjoying delicious food and drinks with friends and family.
Variations and Serving Suggestions for Your Stuffed French Bread
This **stuffed French bread** recipe is wonderfully adaptable. Here are a few ideas to customize it:
- Spice it Up: Add a dash of cayenne pepper, a pinch of red pepper flakes, or finely diced jalapeños to the chicken mixture for a spicy kick.
- Add More Veggies: Incorporate finely diced bell peppers (red or green), a handful of corn kernels, or even some sautéed mushrooms for added texture and nutrients.
- Cheese Blends: Experiment with different cheese combinations. A mix of cheddar and mozzarella for extra stretchiness, or a smoky provolone for added depth.
- Different Proteins: While chicken is classic, consider using pulled pork or even ground turkey cooked with BBQ sauce for a different take.
- Serving Sides: This hearty meal can stand alone, but it pairs beautifully with a simple green salad, a creamy coleslaw, or some roasted corn on the cob. It also makes for a fantastic appetizer when sliced into smaller pieces.
This recipe is more than just food; it’s a canvas for your culinary creativity, a way to bring people together, and a guaranteed hit at any table. So go ahead, whip up this **easy chicken dinner** and make some delicious memories!
Barbecue Chicken Stuffed French Bread
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Ingredients
- 1 loaf French Bread
- 3 cups cooked chicken, , chopped
- 1 18 oz bottle Barbecue sauce
- 1/2 cup red onion, , diced
- 2 cups cheddar cheese, , shredded
- Fresh cilantro for garnish
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
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In a large bowl mix together chicken, barbecue sauce, onion, and 1 cup of cheddar cheese.
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Cut the top off, and remove the center of the loaf of bread. Fill the bread with chicken mixture.
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Cover and wrap the foil over the bread. Bake for 20 minutes.
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Remove from oven and top with the remaining 1 cup of cheese.
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Turn on the broiler, and return bread to the oven 5 minutes, or until golden.
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Remove from oven, top with fresh cilantro and slice to serve.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Additional Info
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This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Lipton. The opinions and text are all mine.