🍗 Braided Chicken Bread
Braided chicken bread is a savory, show-stopping bread stuffed with seasoned chicken, cheese, and sometimes vegetables. The dough is braided over the filling, baked until golden, and makes a perfect centerpiece for lunch or dinner.
📝 Ingredients (Serves 4–6)
Dough
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 packet (2¼ tsp / 7 g) active dry yeast
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1 tsp salt
- ¾ cup warm milk
- 2 tbsp olive oil or melted butter
Filling
- 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded
- 1 cup shredded cheese (mozzarella, cheddar, or a blend)
- ½ cup sautéed onions and bell peppers (optional)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp paprika or Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tbsp mayonnaise or cream cheese (optional, for extra creaminess)
Topping
- 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
- Sesame or poppy seeds (optional)
👩🍳 Instructions
1️⃣ Make the Dough
- In a small bowl, dissolve sugar and yeast in warm milk. Let sit 5–10 minutes until foamy.
- In a large bowl, mix flour and salt. Add yeast mixture and olive oil.
- Knead 8–10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
- Cover and let rise 1 hour or until doubled.
2️⃣ Prepare Filling
- Mix shredded chicken, cheese, sautéed vegetables, garlic, paprika, salt, pepper, and mayonnaise or cream cheese in a bowl.
3️⃣ Assemble Bread
- Roll dough into a rectangle (about 12×16 inches).
- Place filling in a strip down the center of the dough.
- Cut 1–2 inch strips along both sides of the rectangle.
- Fold strips over the filling in a criss-cross braid pattern.
4️⃣ Second Rise
- Cover the braided loaf and let rise 20–30 minutes.
5️⃣ Bake
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Brush loaf with beaten egg and sprinkle seeds if desired.
- Bake 25–30 minutes until golden brown.
- Cool slightly before slicing.
🔥 Tips
- For extra flavor, add fresh herbs like parsley or thyme to the filling.
- Use rotisserie chicken for a quick shortcut.
- Don’t overfill the bread to prevent leaking while baking.
- Serve warm for best flavor and melty cheese.
🍽️ Serving Ideas
- Serve with a fresh green salad or roasted vegetables
- Pair with a dipping sauce like marinara, ranch, or garlic butter
- Great for lunchboxes or picnics
I can also give a spicy buffalo chicken braided bread version or a creamy mushroom and chicken braid if you want a twist.
Do you want one of those variations?
