Ingredients
- Bread: 1 large loaf of French bread or a baguette.
- Chicken: 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded or diced (rotisserie chicken is perfect).
- Sauce: 1 cup of your favorite BBQ sauce.
- Cheese: 2 cups shredded Mozzarella and Cheddar blend.
- Toppings: 1 small red onion (thinly sliced) and 2 cloves of garlic (minced).
- The “Kick”: Ranch dressing for drizzling on top.
- Base Prep: 4 tablespoons unsalted butter (melted) and a pinch of salt.
Instructions
1. Prepare the Oven and Bread
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Slice the French bread loaf in half lengthwise and place both halves on a large baking sheet.
- Mix the melted butter with the minced garlic. Brush this mixture generously over the cut sides of the bread.
2. Add the Base Layer
- Spread a thin layer of BBQ sauce over the buttered bread.
- Sprinkle about half of the shredded cheese over the sauce. This acts as “glue” for the chicken.
3. Prepare the Chicken
- In a small bowl, toss the shredded chicken with the remaining BBQ sauce until every piece is well-coated.
- Spread the BBQ chicken evenly over the bread.
4. Add Toppings and Bake
- Layer the red onion slices over the chicken.
- Top with the remaining cheese.
- Bake for 10–15 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and starting to brown, and the edges of the bread are crispy.
5. The Final Touch
- Remove from the oven and let it sit for 2 minutes.
- Drizzle plenty of Ranch dressing over the top in a zigzag pattern.
- Slice into thick pieces and serve warm.
Chef’s Tips
- Extra Crispy: If you like a very crunchy crust, pre-bake the buttered bread for 5 minutes before adding any toppings.