Savory Chicken Bacon Ranch Loaf (Printer-Friendly)
Italian loaf filled with creamy chicken, bacon, ranch, and melted cheese baked to golden perfection.
# What You’ll Need:
→ Bread
01 -
1 sturdy crusty Italian loaf (approximately 12 inches long)
→ Filling
02 -
8 oz chive and onion cream cheese, softened
03 -
120 ml bottled ranch dressing
04 -
1/2 tsp garlic salt
05 -
1/2 tsp onion powder
06 -
2 cups cooked rotisserie chicken, chopped (about 280 g)
07 -
6 slices thick-cut bacon, cooked crispy and crumbled
08 -
3 green onions, finely chopped
09 -
200 g shredded Colby-Jack cheese, divided
→ Topping
10 -
2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
# Steps to Make This:
01 -
Set oven temperature to 350°F and position a baking sheet on the center rack.
02 -
In a medium bowl, beat softened cream cheese with ranch dressing, garlic salt, and onion powder until smooth. Fold in chopped chicken, crumbled bacon, green onions, and one-third of the shredded cheese gently to combine.
03 -
Using a serrated knife, slice the Italian loaf lengthwise and carefully hollow out the soft interior, leaving a firm crust shell to hold the filling.
04 -
Sprinkle one-third of shredded cheese evenly on the bottom bread half. Spread chicken filling over the cheese in an even layer. Top with another third of the shredded cheese, then replace the top half of the loaf and press lightly to secure.
05 -
Brush melted butter over all sides of the assembled loaf including edges and cut surfaces. Wrap snugly in aluminum foil to retain moisture during baking.
06 -
Place wrapped loaf on the baking sheet and bake for 30 to 40 minutes until heated through and cheese is melted. Remove foil for the last 5 minutes to allow crust to crisp and turn golden brown.
07 -
Let the loaf rest for 5 minutes to set the filling, then slice into roughly 1-inch pieces and serve immediately for optimal gooey texture.
# Additional Notes:
01 -
Leftovers reheat well in a hot oven to retain crust crispness and freeze effectively when individually wrapped.
02 -
Shred cheese fresh for best melting and flavor impact.