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Ultimate Cheesy Buffalo Chicken Bread Bowl – Easy Game Day Appetizer

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This Ultimate Cheesy Buffalo Chicken Bread Bowl is the perfect game day appetizer. A hollowed sourdough loaf is filled with a creamy, spicy Buffalo chicken mixture, topped with melted cheese, and baked until bubbly and golden. It’s a shareable, edible bowl that’s guaranteed to be the star of any party.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 large round sourdough bread loaf (about 8–9 inches wide)
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 2 cups cooked shredded chicken
  • 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
  • 1/2 cup Buffalo hot sauce
  • 1/2 cup ranch dressing
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1/2 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • 1/4 cup crumbled blue cheese (optional)
  • 2 green onions, thinly sliced
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • Fresh parsley or extra green onions, chopped (for garnish)
  • Extra hot sauce drizzle (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Position the rack in the center of the oven. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
  2. Prepare the bread bowl. Using a serrated knife, cut the top third off the sourdough loaf. Set the top aside — you’ll use it for dipping later. Carefully hollow out the inside of the bread, leaving a 1-inch thick wall all around. Tear the removed bread into bite-sized pieces and set them on the baking sheet alongside the hollowed loaf.
  3. Make the garlic butter. In a small bowl, combine the melted butter, minced garlic, and garlic powder. Brush the entire inside of the bread bowl generously with this mixture. Also brush the cut sides of the bread top and the bread pieces.
  4. Toast the bread. Place the hollowed loaf, bread top, and bread pieces on the baking sheet. Bake for 8-10 minutes, until the edges are lightly golden and crispy. Remove from the oven and let cool slightly. Leave the oven on.
  5. Shred the chicken. While the bread toasts, shred the cooked chicken using two forks. You want fine, even shreds that will mix well with the creamy filling. If using rotisserie chicken, remove the skin and any bones first.
  6. Make the filling. In a large mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, Buffalo hot sauce, and ranch dressing. Mix until smooth and well combined. Fold in the shredded chicken, mozzarella cheese, cheddar cheese, blue cheese (if using), green onions, smoked paprika, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Stir until everything is evenly coated.
  7. Fill the bread bowl. Spoon the Buffalo chicken mixture into the toasted bread bowl, packing it down gently. Don’t overfill — leave about 1/2 inch of space at the top so the filling doesn’t spill over during baking. Pile any extra filling around the base of the bread on the baking sheet.
  8. Top with extra cheese. Sprinkle an additional 1/4 cup of mozzarella and 1/4 cup of cheddar over the top of the filling.
  9. Bake the bread bowl. Place the filled bread bowl on the baking sheet (with the bread pieces scattered around). Bake for 18-22 minutes, until the filling is hot and bubbly and the cheese on top is melted and golden brown. If the bread edges start browning too quickly, tent loosely with aluminum foil for the last 5 minutes.
  10. Garnish and serve. Remove from the oven and let rest for 5 minutes. Sprinkle with fresh parsley or extra green onions, and drizzle a little extra hot sauce on top if you like heat. Serve immediately with the toasted bread pieces and the bread top for dipping.

Notes

Don’t skip toasting the bread. Toasting creates a moisture barrier that keeps the bread crispy even after the hot filling goes in. Use room temperature cream cheese for smooth mixing. Shred your own cheese from a block for the best melting. Let the bread bowl rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow the filling to set. For a gluten-free version, use a gluten-free bread loaf or serve the filling in a cast iron skillet with gluten-free dippers.

Nutrition

Keywords: Buffalo chicken, bread bowl, game day appetizer, cheesy dip, party food, Super Bowl snack, sourdough bread bowl

Find it online: https://lyrafeast.com/ultimate-cheesy-buffalo-chicken-bread-bowl-easy-game-day-appetizer/