This Cheesy Chicken Garlic Bread is an easy and flavorful meal that combines garlic bread with a savory pesto chicken, red pepper, and onion filling, topped with melted mozzarella and cheddar. Perfect for a weeknight dinner, it’s quick to prepare and ideal for feeding a crowd!

Full Recipe:

Ingredients

• 2-3 garlic bread baguettes

• 1 tablespoon oil

• 400g chicken mini fillets (tenderloins)

• 1 red pepper, very thinly sliced

• 1 small red onion, sliced

• 190g jar of red pesto (e.g., Tesco’s Red Pepper Cremosa Pesto)

• 250g bag of grated mozzarella & cheddar mix (or just mozzarella)

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 200ºC/180ºC fan/400ºF/Gas 6. Heat the oil in a large frying pan over medium-high heat. Fry the chicken fillets for about 3 minutes on each side, until golden and cooked through.

2. Add Vegetables: If the pan is dry, add more oil. Add the sliced red pepper and onion to the pan and cook for 12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until softened. Stir the pesto into the chicken and vegetable mixture.

3. Prepare Garlic Bread: Slice the garlic baguettes lengthwise without cutting all the way through, and place them on a baking tray. Bake for 7 minutes.

4. Assemble: Fill the baked garlic bread with the chicken and vegetable mixture. Sprinkle the grated cheese evenly over the filling. Return to the oven for 5-6 minutes, until the cheese is golden and bubbly.

5. Serve: Slice the garlic bread into halves or thirds and serve.

Nutrients (per serving)

• Calories: 425 kcal

• Total Fat: 24g

• Total Carbohydrates: 42g

• Protein: 8g

A Flavor-Packed Chicken Filling

The heart of this dish is the chicken filling, which is cooked in a flavorful mix of oil, red pesto, and vegetables. The chicken fillets are pan-fried to golden perfection, giving them a satisfying, slightly crispy texture. The addition of red pepper and red onion adds not only a pop of color but also a depth of flavor to the filling. Red pesto, with its blend of roasted red peppers and spices, adds a rich and slightly tangy flavor that complements the chicken beautifully.

By combining the chicken with red peppers and onions, this filling becomes hearty yet balanced, with the sweetness of the vegetables complementing the savory chicken. The pesto adds a depth of flavor that ties everything together, making each bite a delicious burst of savory goodness. As the chicken cooks, it absorbs the flavors of the pesto, ensuring that the filling is rich and packed with flavor.

Garlic Bread Base: A Crispy Foundation

Garlic bread is a classic favorite, and using it as the base for this dish takes it to a whole new level. The garlic baguettes provide the perfect foundation for this hearty filling, adding crunch and a savory, buttery flavor that pairs perfectly with the pesto chicken mixture. The garlic flavor is subtle but essential, creating an aromatic base that enhances the overall dish.

By baking the garlic bread just long enough to make it crispy, the bread maintains a satisfying crunch that contrasts with the soft, creamy filling. The garlic butter on the bread infuses it with a rich flavor that complements the filling and the melted cheese, making each bite more indulgent. The combination of the crispy garlic bread and the creamy, cheesy topping makes this dish irresistibly satisfying.

The Perfect Cheese Topping

What’s a cheesy chicken garlic bread without a generous helping of melted cheese? This recipe calls for a mozzarella and cheddar mix, which provides both stretch and creaminess. The mozzarella creates that perfect, gooey, melt-in-your-mouth texture, while the cheddar adds a sharp, slightly tangy flavor that contrasts beautifully with the richness of the pesto chicken filling.

When the cheese is melted, it forms a golden, bubbly layer over the chicken and vegetables, adding a creamy texture that brings the whole dish together. As the cheese browns slightly in the oven, it also adds a delightful crispness, making each bite a harmonious blend of crunchy, creamy, and cheesy goodness. The combination of mozzarella and cheddar offers the ideal balance of flavors and textures, making every bite of Cheesy Chicken Garlic Bread indulgent and satisfying.

A Quick and Easy Meal for Busy Weeknights

One of the best things about this Cheesy Chicken Garlic Bread recipe is how quickly it comes together. The dish is designed for efficiency, so you won’t need to spend hours in the kitchen. In less than 30 minutes, you can have a delicious, filling meal on the table. The chicken cooks quickly in a pan, and the vegetables are softened in the same pan, allowing you to create the flavorful filling in just one step.

The garlic bread requires only a short amount of baking time, so there’s no need to fuss with making your own bread or worrying about complicated steps. Simply slice the garlic baguette, bake it for a few minutes, and then stuff it with the savory chicken mixture and cheese before returning it to the oven to melt the cheese. This simplicity makes the recipe perfect for busy weeknights when you want something flavorful but don’t have hours to spend on prep and cooking.

Customizing Your Cheesy Chicken Garlic Bread

This dish is wonderfully versatile, allowing you to customize it based on your preferences. While the recipe calls for red pesto, you can swap it out for green pesto if you prefer a slightly different flavor profile. Additionally, you can experiment with different vegetables—such as spinach, mushrooms, or tomatoes—to add more variety to the filling.

The type of cheese can also be adjusted based on what you have on hand or your personal preference. While mozzarella and cheddar work wonderfully, you can try using provolone, gouda, or parmesan for a different flavor experience. If you’re looking to add a little heat, consider adding some red pepper flakes or jalapeños to the chicken mixture for a spicy kick.

For those looking for a lower-carb option, you could substitute the garlic bread for a low-carb or gluten-free bread option, or even try using a cauliflower crust for a lighter alternative. The flexibility of the recipe makes it easy to adapt to dietary preferences or what’s available in your pantry.

Serving Suggestions

Cheesy Chicken Garlic Bread is filling enough to be served on its own as a meal, but it can also be paired with other sides for a more well-rounded dinner. A fresh green salad with a light vinaigrette is the perfect complement to the richness of the garlic bread and cheese. You could also serve it with some roasted vegetables, such as zucchini or asparagus, for a boost of flavor and nutrition.

If you’re serving this for a crowd, consider making extra garlic bread and filling it with the chicken mixture for a larger spread. It’s a great dish for parties, gatherings, or casual family dinners, as it’s easy to slice and serve and can feed a group without too much fuss.

Conclusion: A Hearty, Flavorful Dish

Cheesy Chicken Garlic Bread is the perfect combination of comfort food and ease. With its crispy garlic bread, savory pesto chicken filling, and melted cheese topping, it’s a meal that will satisfy your hunger and your taste buds. Whether you’re making it for a weeknight dinner or serving it to a group of friends, this dish is sure to be a hit. It’s quick, easy to make, and customizable, making it an ideal choice for busy days when you still want to enjoy a flavorful, hearty meal.

So, next time you’re looking for a simple but indulgent meal, reach for this Cheesy Chicken Garlic Bread recipe. It’s sure to become a favorite in your dinner rotation, offering the perfect balance of flavors and textures in every bite.