Pesto Chicken Garlic Bread Boats (Print Version)

Crispy baguette boats loaded with pesto chicken, garlic butter, and melted mozzarella cheese

# What You'll Need:

→ Bread

01 - 2 large baguettes or Italian loaves
02 - 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped

→ Chicken & Filling

05 - 2 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded or diced
06 - 1/3 cup basil pesto
07 - 1/2 cup sour cream
08 - 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
09 - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
10 - 1/4 teaspoon salt

→ Cheese

11 - 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

# How to Make It:

01 - Preheat oven to 375°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
02 - Slice baguettes in half lengthwise. Using your fingers or a spoon, gently hollow out the center of each half, leaving approximately 1/2 inch of bread on all sides to form boat shapes.
03 - In a small bowl, mix softened butter with minced garlic and chopped parsley. Spread the mixture evenly over the inside of each bread boat.
04 - In a separate bowl, combine shredded chicken, pesto, sour cream, Parmesan, black pepper, and salt. Mix until well blended.
05 - Spoon the chicken mixture evenly into the hollowed bread boats. Top generously with shredded mozzarella cheese.
06 - Arrange filled bread boats on prepared baking sheet. Bake for 18 to 20 minutes, or until cheese is melted and bubbly and bread is golden brown.
07 - Remove from oven, let cool slightly, then slice into portions and serve warm.

# Additional Tips::

01 -
  • They look fancy enough to impress guests but come together faster than ordering takeout.
  • One pan, minimal cleanup, and somehow everyone feels like they're eating something restaurant-quality.
02 -
  • Don't skip the hollowing step thinking you can just pile filling on top because it will slide off and create a mess on your baking sheet.
  • The sour cream is not optional if you want a creamy filling that stays moist rather than drying out in the oven.
03 -
  • Use a serrated bread knife for slicing the baguettes lengthwise because it prevents crushing the bread and gives you cleaner boats.
  • Let your butter sit on the counter for 15 minutes before mixing so it spreads smoothly without tearing the bread.
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