Pin Pesto Chicken Garlic Bread Boats are golden, crusty delights filled with tender pesto-seasoned chicken and gooey mozzarella cheese. This recipe serves as a fantastic crowd-pleasing appetizer or a comforting main course for any night of the week.
Pin By hollowing out fresh baguettes and filling them with a savory, herby mixture, you create a perfect vessel for melted cheese and seasoned chicken. The garlic-butter base ensures every bite is crispy and fragrant.
Ingredients
- Bread: 2 large baguettes or Italian loaves, 3 tbsp unsalted butter (softened), 2 cloves garlic (minced), 1 tbsp fresh parsley (chopped, optional).
- Chicken & Filling: 2 cups cooked chicken breast (shredded or diced), 1/3 cup basil pesto, 1/2 cup sour cream, 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, 1/2 tsp black pepper, 1/4 tsp salt.
- Cheese: 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese.
Instructions
- 1. Preheat and Prep
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- 2. Hollow the Bread
- Slice the baguettes in half lengthwise. Using your fingers or a spoon, gently hollow out the center of each half, leaving about 1/2-inch of bread on all sides to form a boat.
- 3. Apply Garlic Butter
- In a small bowl, mix the softened butter with minced garlic and chopped parsley. Spread the mixture evenly over the inside of each bread boat.
- 4. Mix Filling
- In a separate bowl, combine the shredded chicken, pesto, sour cream, Parmesan, black pepper, and salt. Mix until well blended.
- 5. Fill and Top
- Spoon the chicken mixture evenly into the hollowed bread boats. Top generously with shredded mozzarella cheese.
- 6. Bake
- Arrange the filled bread boats on the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 18–20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the bread is golden.
- 7. Finish and Serve
- Remove from the oven, let cool slightly, then slice into portions and serve warm.
Zusatztipps für die Zubereitung
To save time, you can use store-bought rotisserie chicken or substitute it with leftover cooked turkey. This recipe is an excellent way to transform leftovers into a fresh and exciting meal.
Varianten und Anpassungen
For extra color and texture, try adding chopped sun-dried tomatoes or fresh baby spinach to the chicken filling. These small additions provide a delicious variation to the classic pesto profile.
Serviervorschläge
Before serving, sprinkle the boats with red pepper flakes for a bit of heat or drizzle with a balsamic glaze for a sweet and tangy finish. These additions elevate the presentation and the flavor profile.
Pin Serve these cheesy, herby bread boats warm and enjoy the perfect balance of crunchy bread and creamy filling. They are guaranteed to be a hit with both kids and adults alike.
Recipe Q&A
- → Can I make these ahead of time?
Assemble the boats completely and refrigerate up to 8 hours before baking. Add an extra 2-3 minutes to the baking time since they'll be cold.
- → What's the best way to hollow the bread?
Use your fingers to gently pull out the soft center, leaving about 1/2 inch of bread attached to the crust. Save the removed bread for making breadcrumbs or croutons.
- → Can I freeze these?
Freeze assembled unbaked boats tightly wrapped for up to 3 months. Bake from frozen, adding 5-10 minutes to the cooking time.
- → What other proteins work well?
Rotisserie chicken, leftover turkey, or even cooked Italian sausage make excellent substitutions for the shredded chicken breast.
- → How do I prevent soggy bread?
Make sure your cooked chicken isn't overly moist, and don't overfill the boats. The garlic butter coating also helps create a barrier against moisture.