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There's something magical about gathering around a warm loaf of stuffed bread. My family goes absolutely crazy for this chicken bacon ranch creation stuffed inside a crusty Italian loaf. The tender rotisserie chicken mingles with crispy bacon bits while creamy ranch brings all the flavors together. Trust me when I say this bread disappears within minutes at every party I bring it to.
The Secret Behind This Family Favorite
What makes this bread so special is how the flavors melt together into pure comfort food heaven. The outside gets perfectly crispy while the inside stays creamy and tender. I love watching people's faces light up when they take their first bite. My daughter tells me this is the one recipe she'll definitely want to inherit from my recipe collection.
Everything You Need For This Recipe
- Italian Bread: A 16-inch loaf, hollowed out to hold the filling.
- Chive & Onion Cream Cheese: Softened, for a creamy, flavorful base.
- Ranch Dressing: Adds a tangy, signature flavor to the filling.
- Rotisserie Chicken: Roughly chopped for ease and juicy texture.
- Bacon: Cooked and crumbled, for smoky, savory notes.
- Colby-Jack Cheese: Melts beautifully, binding the ingredients together.
- Green Onions & Spices: For a fresh bite and depth of flavor.
- Butter: Brushed on the bread for a crisp, golden finish.
Let's Make It Together
- Prepare The Oven
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with foil for easy cleanup.
- Mix The Filling
- Combine softened cream cheese, ranch dressing, garlic salt, and onion powder in a bowl. Add chicken, bacon, and green onions, mixing well.
- Hollow The Bread
- Slice the Italian loaf lengthwise and remove some of the bread from the center to create room for the filling.
- Assemble The Bread
- Sprinkle shredded cheese on the bottom half of the loaf, layer the filling evenly, and top with more cheese. Place the top half of the bread over the filling, pressing gently to seal.
- Bake To Perfection
- Wrap the bread in foil and bake for 30-40 minutes. Uncover for the last 5 minutes to crisp the top, then rest for 5 minutes before slicing and serving.
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Ways to Serve This Crowd Pleaser
My favorite way to serve this bread is sliced into thick pieces when it's still warm and gooey. For casual get togethers I cut it into smaller bites and place them next to a bowl of extra ranch dressing. Sometimes I pair it with my garden salad for a complete meal that my kids actually get excited about eating their vegetables with.
Save Some For Later
In the rare case you have leftovers wrap them up tight and pop them in the fridge. They'll stay good for about 3 days. When you're ready to enjoy them again just warm them up in the oven until the cheese gets melty again. I've found that 350°F for about 10 minutes works perfectly. For busy mornings you can microwave individual slices but cover them with a damp paper towel to keep the bread from getting tough.
Frequently Asked Questions
- → Can I prepare this bread ahead of time?
- You can prepare the filling and hollow out the bread ahead of time, but wait to assemble until ready to bake. This keeps the bread from getting soggy.
- → What's the best way to reheat leftovers?
- Wrap leftover portions in foil and heat in a 325°F oven until warm. The foil helps prevent the bread from drying out while reheating.
- → Can I use a different type of cheese?
- You can substitute the Colby-Jack with any good melting cheese like mozzarella or cheddar. Just make sure to use a cheese that melts well for the best results.
- → How do I prevent the bread from getting too hard?
- Keeping the bread wrapped in foil for most of the baking time helps retain moisture. Only unwrap for the last few minutes to crisp the outside.
- → Can I use regular cream cheese instead of flavored?
- Regular cream cheese works fine - just add extra herbs or seasonings to taste. You might want to add some fresh chives or dried onion for similar flavor.