Introduction
The Cheesy Chicken Garlic Pull-Apart Bake is comfort food at its best — gooey melted cheese, tender chicken, and buttery garlic flavors all baked into pull-apart bread. It’s the perfect recipe for game nights, family dinners, or parties, because it’s fun to eat and easy to share. Each piece of bread is infused with garlicky butter, stuffed with chicken, and topped with melted cheese.
Ingredients
1 large round loaf of bread (sourdough or country bread works best)
2 cups (about 250 g) cooked chicken, diced or shredded (grilled, roasted, or leftover)
3–4 garlic cloves, finely minced
½ cup (115 g) melted butter or
¼ cup (60 ml) olive oil
2 ½ cups (250 g) shredded cheese (mozzarella, cheddar, gouda, or an Italian blend)
2 tablespoons fresh parsley or chives, chopped
1 teaspoon dried oregano or Italian seasoning Salt and pepper to taste (Optional)
½ cup sautéed mushrooms, bell peppers, or onions
Instructions
1. Prepare the bread
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
Place the bread loaf on a cutting board and make crosshatch cuts about 1 inch apart, slicing nearly to the bottom but not all the way through. This creates little “pockets” for the filling.
2. Make the garlic butter
In a bowl, mix the melted butter (or olive oil) with minced garlic, parsley, oregano, salt, and pepper.
Toss the cooked chicken pieces in this mixture until coated.
3. Fill the bread
Gently separate the bread cubes and stuff the chicken into the slits.
Sprinkle shredded cheese generously into the cuts and across the top.
Drizzle or brush any remaining garlic butter over the loaf.
4. Bake
Wrap the loaf loosely in foil to trap the heat and melt the cheese without burning the crust.
Bake for about 20 minutes, then uncover and bake an additional 5 minutes until golden and bubbly.
5. Serve
Sprinkle with extra fresh herbs before serving.
Place the loaf in the center of the table and let everyone pull apart pieces with their hands.
Tips & Variations
Spicy Kick: Add red chili flakes or jalapeños for heat.
Mediterranean Style: Swap cheddar for feta and add olives or sun-dried tomatoes.
Vegetarian Option: Replace chicken with roasted vegetables like zucchini, peppers, or mushrooms.
Creamy Upgrade: Add dollops of cream cheese between the bread cuts for extra richness.
Serving Ideas
This bake can be served as:
An appetizer at parties or game nights.
A side dish with soups or salads.
A fun family-style main dish for a cozy dinner.
👉 The Cheesy Chicken Garlic Pull-Apart Bake is quick to prepare, loaded with flavor, and guaranteed to disappear fast. It’s a crowd-pleaser that transforms simple ingredients into a mouthwatering, pull-apart masterpiece.