If you’re looking for the ultimate party snack or an unforgettable family dinner, let me introduce you to my Cheesy Chicken Pesto Garlic Bread! Imagine warm, garlicky baguettes filled to the brim with succulent chicken, sweet red peppers, and melty cheese, all brought together with a swirl of vibrant pesto. It’s that craveable, cozy mash-up you didn’t know you needed, and I promise—it’ll disappear in seconds every time you serve it.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Crowd-Pleaser: Cheesy Chicken Pesto Garlic Bread is a guaranteed hit whether you’re feeding a hungry crowd or picky eaters at home.
- Fast & Flexible: With just 40 minutes from start to finish, this dish works as a quick weeknight dinner or a hearty party appetizer.
- Ultimate Comfort: Oozy mozzarella, juicy chicken, and punchy pesto wrapped up in toasty garlic bread—there’s just nothing cozier.
- Totally Customizable: You can easily switch up the fillings to match your taste buds or dietary needs—so many delicious possibilities!
Ingredients You’ll Need
Here’s what makes Cheesy Chicken Pesto Garlic Bread shine: each ingredient is chosen for flavor, texture, and pure comfort factor. Nothing fancy—just honest, inviting components that come together in the most mouthwatering way.
- 2-3 garlic bread baguettes: These are the buttery, garlicky foundation. Choose fresh or frozen baguettes—their crispy exteriors soak in all those savory juices beautifully.
- 1 tablespoon oil: Just enough to get your chicken and veggies sizzling; olive oil is classic but use what you have!
- 400g chicken mini fillets (tenderloins): These cook up quickly and stay moist, making every bite satisfying and tender.
- 1 red pepper, very thinly sliced: Adds a sweet pop of color and crunch, plus a touch of natural sweetness.
- 1 small red onion, sliced: Gives a gentle sharpness and subtle bite—red onions mellow as they cook.
- 190g jar red pesto (like Tesco’s Red Pepper Cremosa Pesto): This is the flavor bomb, adding richness, tang, and a hint of smokiness.
- 250g grated mozzarella & cheddar mix (or just mozzarella): The secret to maximum cheese pull and golden, bubbly tops. Mix it up based on your favorite cheese!
Variations
If you love switching things up, you’ll be thrilled: Cheesy Chicken Pesto Garlic Bread is incredibly flexible! Don’t hesitate to get creative—these swaps and additions make it easy to suit your cravings or dietary needs.
- Vegetarian Swap: Skip the chicken and load up with sautéed mushrooms or roasted zucchini for an equally hearty, cheesy garlic bread.
- Spicy Kick: Add a pinch of chili flakes to the pesto or sprinkle sliced jalapeños over the top before baking if you love things fiery.
- Different Cheeses: Experiment with provolone, fontina, or even a hint of blue cheese for a bold twist.
- Pesto Twist: Try classic basil pesto or a sun-dried tomato version for a completely different flavor profile.
How to Make Cheesy Chicken Pesto Garlic Bread
Step 1: Prep the Chicken and Veggies
Get your oven preheated to 200ºC (180ºC fan/400ºF/gas 6). While it’s warming up, heat oil in a large frying pan over high heat. Add the chicken mini fillets, laying them out in a single layer, and cook for about 3-4 minutes per side until deeply golden and cooked through. Remove them and set aside. In the same pan, add a touch more oil if needed and toss in your thinly sliced red pepper and red onion. Lower the heat to medium-low and sauté, stirring often, for about 12 minutes until everything is soft, sweet, and fragrant.
Step 2: Add the Pesto and Combine
Turn off the heat and return the cooked chicken to the pan with the softened veggies. Pour in your jar of red pesto and stir until every ingredient is glossy and coated, soaking up all those herbaceous, tangy flavors. Don’t be afraid to sneak a taste here—this is where the magic happens!
Step 3: Prep and Toast the Garlic Baguettes
Grab your garlic bread baguettes and use a sharp knife to slice them lengthways down the middle, taking care not to slice all the way through (think of it like opening a book). Gently open them up and lay them, cut side up, on your biggest baking tray. Pop them into the hot oven for 7 minutes—this step gives you extra crunch and helps the bread hold up to all the hearty fillings.
Step 4: Fill and Bake Until Cheesy Perfection
Pull the baguettes out and generously spoon your chicken-pesto-veggie mixture inside each one, getting the filling all the way from end to end. Top with a happy shower of grated cheese until every crevice is covered. Bake for another 5-6 minutes, until the cheese bubbles and just starts turning golden brown. For serving, slice each baguette into halves or thirds and watch everyone dive in!
Pro Tips for Making Cheesy Chicken Pesto Garlic Bread
- Bread Matters: Opt for fresh bakery garlic baguettes for the best texture—they’re sturdy enough to hold the filling and toast up delightfully crispy.
- Slice with Care: Don’t cut all the way through the bread—leave a hinge so the filling stays snug inside every piece (and you won’t lose any gooey cheese!).
- Cheese Distribution: Scatter cheese all the way to the edges; those golden, bubbling bits are the best bites.
- Rest Before Slicing: Let the filled garlic bread sit for 2-3 minutes before cutting—this keeps the cheese and filling neatly inside every slice.
How to Serve Cheesy Chicken Pesto Garlic Bread
Garnishes
Nothing finishes Cheesy Chicken Pesto Garlic Bread quite like a sprinkle of fresh basil or flat-leaf parsley. If you want to get extra fancy, add a light dusting of grated parmesan and some cracked black pepper right before serving—it makes every bite pop with flavor and color.
Side Dishes
This garlic bread is practically a meal by itself, but it plays so well with company! Serve it alongside a crisp green salad, tomato soup, or even a big platter of roasted vegetables for a cozy, balanced spread. For game days or casual evenings, sliced pickles and crunchy veggie sticks are always a hit.
Creative Ways to Present
For parties, arrange your sliced Cheesy Chicken Pesto Garlic Bread on a rustic wooden board, swirling the pieces into a wreath or ladder shape for a fun, shareable centerpiece. Tuck in extra fresh herbs or colorful veggie slices for a pop of color—people won’t be able to resist grabbing a slice!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you’re lucky enough to have leftovers, wrap cooled slices tightly in foil or store in an airtight container in the fridge. The flavors get even cozier overnight, and the bread stays surprisingly soft for up to 2 days.
Freezing
This recipe freezes beautifully! Assemble the filled (but unbaked) garlic bread, wrap it well in foil, and freeze for up to a month. When you’re ready, bake straight from frozen—just add a few extra minutes to the cooking time and keep an eye on the cheese.
Reheating
To reheat, pop slices back in the oven or toaster oven at 180ºC/350ºF until hot and bubbly (about 10 minutes does the trick). Avoid the microwave if you can—this keeps the bread crisp and the cheese perfectly gooey.
FAQs
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Can I use rotisserie chicken for Cheesy Chicken Pesto Garlic Bread?
Absolutely! Using rotisserie chicken is a great shortcut—just shred it and stir into the sautéed veggies with the pesto. It’s quick, tasty, and makes this recipe even speedier.
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What type of pesto works best?
Red pepper pesto adds a sweet, smoky flavor that’s wonderful with chicken and cheese, but you can use classic basil or even homemade pesto if that’s what you have. Any good-quality jar will work.
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Is Cheesy Chicken Pesto Garlic Bread kid-friendly?
Yes! Kids absolutely adore the gooey cheese and garlic bread combo—just slice the veggies a little smaller if you have picky eaters. You can even use pre-cooked diced chicken for less fuss.
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Can I make this recipe gluten-free?
Certainly! Simply swap in your favorite gluten-free garlic baguettes; all the other ingredients are naturally gluten-free, so you won’t miss out on any flavor or fun.
Final Thoughts
If you try just one new comfort food this month, let it be Cheesy Chicken Pesto Garlic Bread. It’s the kind of recipe that always feels special but couldn’t be easier to throw together—whether it’s a casual weeknight treat or the star of your next get-together. Enjoy every irresistibly cheesy, saucy, garlic-perfumed bite—you and your loved ones deserve it!
Print
Cheesy Chicken Pesto Garlic Bread Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4–6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with this Cheesy Chicken Garlic Bread recipe. Crispy garlic baguettes are loaded with tender chicken, sweet red peppers, savory red pesto, and a generous blanket of melted cheese. A delicious twist on a classic favorite!
Ingredients
For the Cheesy Chicken Garlic Bread:
- 2–3 garlic bread baguettes
- 1 tablespoon oil
- 400 g chicken mini fillets (tenderloins US)
- 1 red pepper very thinly sliced
- 1 small red onion sliced
- 190 g jar red pesto (such as Tesco’s Red Pepper Cremosa Pesto)
- 250 g bag grated mozzarella & cheddar mix or just mozzarella
For Baby & Toddler:
- Refer to notes section
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 200ºC/180ºC fan/400ºF/gas 6.
- Cook the chicken: Heat oil in a large frying pan, cook chicken fillets until golden and cooked through. Remove from pan.
- Cook the peppers and onions: In the same pan, sauté red pepper and onion until softened. Add chicken back in, mix with pesto.
- Prepare the garlic bread: Slice baguettes, fill with chicken mixture, top with cheese.
- Bake: Bake filled baguettes until cheese is golden-brown.
- Serve: Cut and serve the cheesy chicken garlic bread.
Notes
- For baby and toddler-friendly version, ensure chicken is fully cooked, cut into small pieces, and avoid adding extra salt.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6 of recipe
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 23g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 24g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
