Buffalo Chicken-Stuffed French Bread

By jenlin

A loaf of French bread is hollowed out and filled with a scrumptious buffalo chicken, cheese mixture and baked until hot and bubbly. Best served warm, enjoy!

Ingredients

• 1 large loaf French bread
• 12 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 1/3 cup sour cream
• 1/3 cup mayonnaise
• 1/4 to 3/4 cup hot sauce, such as Frank's Original
• 1 packet dry ranch dressing seasoning mix
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/4 cup blue cheese crumbles (up to 1/2 cup if you LOVE blue cheese), plus more to garnish, optional (only if you love it)
• 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, freshly grated, separated
• 1 cup mozzarella cheese, separated
• 4 cups cooked chicken, packed, shredded (about 1 1/2 pounds)

Details

Servings 8
Preparation time 25mins
Cooking time 70mins
Adapted from foodnetwork.com

Preparation

Step 1

Preheat oven to 350°F.

Slice about 2 inches deep through the top of the bread and continue to cut a large rectangle, being careful not to cut through the bottom of the bread. Remove top of bread and hollow out middle to create a rectangular bread bowl. Set aside.

Whisk together cream cheese, sour cream, mayonnaise, hot sauce, ranch seasoning, salt, chili powder, cumin, paprika, garlic powder and onion powder in a bowl until well combined. Stir in blue cheese, 3/4 cup cheddar and 3/4 cup mozzarella, followed by chicken.

Spoon Buffalo chicken dip into prepared French bread and top with remaining cheddar and mozzarella cheeses. Bake on a baking tray for 35 to 45 minutes or until cheese is melted and golden brown. Let bread sit approximately 10 minutes to set and slightly cool, then slice. Best served warm. Garnish with blue cheese if desired.