ULTIMATE CHICKEN ALFREDO GARLIC BREAD BOWLS

Few things beat the pure joy of a creamy, cheesy, carbohydrate-loaded indulgence, especially when the weather turns cool! Imagine sinking your fork into a warm, crusty garlic bread bowl overflowing with tender chicken and luscious Alfredo sauce. These Chicken Alfredo Garlic Bread Bowls are the ultimate comfort food experience, guaranteed to banish any blues and leave you completely satisfied – and I’m here to show you just how easy they are to make!

Ingredients

For the Garlic Bread Bowls:

• 4 round loaves of bread (about 6 inches in diameter)
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• Pinch of salt
• Pinch of black pepper

For the Chicken Alfredo:

• 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 3 cups heavy cream
• 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for garnish
• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish

Let’s Talk Bread: Choosing the Right Loaf

The foundation of our Chicken Alfredo Garlic Bread Bowls is, of course, the bread! You’ll want to select round loaves that are sturdy enough to hold the creamy Alfredo sauce without becoming soggy too quickly. I typically opt for Italian round loaves or sourdough boules from my local bakery. They offer a nice crust and a soft interior that soaks up all that garlicky goodness. If you are feeling adventurous, you can even try making your own bread! But for a quick and easy weeknight meal, store-bought is perfectly fine.

The Secret to Perfectly Breaded Chicken

Now, let’s chat about the chicken. For the best texture and flavor, we’re going to lightly bread it before adding it to the Alfredo sauce. Trust me, this makes all the difference!

Tips for Breaded Chicken Success:

• Make sure your chicken pieces are relatively uniform in size so they cook evenly.
• Don’t overcrowd the pan when browning the chicken. Work in batches to ensure each piece gets nicely golden brown.
• If you want an extra crispy crust, you can add some panko breadcrumbs to your flour mixture.

Thinking about other meals with breaded chicken? You might like Garlic Parmesan Chicken as another great option!

Step-by-Step Instructions

Making the Garlic Bread Bowls:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. While the oven is preheating, prepare the garlic butter. In a small bowl, combine the melted butter, minced garlic, chopped parsley, Parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper.
3. Using a serrated knife, carefully cut out the center of each loaf of bread, leaving a 1-inch border around the edges and bottom to create a bowl. Remove the soft bread from the center (you can save this to make breadcrumbs or croutons!).
4. Brush the inside and outside of each bread bowl with the garlic butter mixture.
5. Place the bread bowls on a baking sheet and bake for 10-12 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy.

Making the Chicken Alfredo:

1. In a shallow dish, combine the flour, salt, and pepper. Dredge the chicken pieces in the flour mixture, shaking off any excess.
2. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the breaded chicken and cook for 5-7 minutes, or until golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
3. In the same skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute, or until fragrant.
4. Pour in the heavy cream and bring to a simmer, stirring occasionally.
5. Reduce the heat to low and stir in the Parmesan cheese and nutmeg. Continue to stir until the cheese is melted and the sauce is smooth and creamy.
6. Add the cooked chicken to the Alfredo sauce and stir to coat.

Assembling the Chicken Alfredo Garlic Bread Bowls:

1. Spoon the Chicken Alfredo mixture into each garlic bread bowl.
2. Garnish with extra Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley, if desired.
3. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Alfredo Sauce: Homemade vs. Store-Bought

While homemade Alfredo sauce is undeniably delicious, I understand that sometimes you’re short on time. If you’re opting for store-bought Alfredo sauce, look for a high-quality brand with a good flavor profile. You can also doctor it up by adding extra garlic, Parmesan cheese, and a pinch of nutmeg to make it taste more homemade. You can even elevate your store-bought sauce by using browned butter. The nutty flavor it creates really adds something special!

Good Dinner Sides to Pair With Your Bowls

Since these Chicken Alfredo Garlic Bread Bowls are already quite rich and filling, I recommend pairing them with a light and refreshing side dish. A simple green salad with a vinaigrette dressing is always a great choice. Steamed broccoli or asparagus would also be delicious and add some extra nutrients to your meal. If you’re looking for something a bit more substantial, consider roasted vegetables like Brussels sprouts or carrots.

Making Ahead and Storage Tips

These Chicken Alfredo Garlic Bread Bowls are best enjoyed fresh, but you can definitely prepare some components ahead of time. The garlic butter can be made a day in advance and stored in the refrigerator. You can also cook the chicken and make the Alfredo sauce ahead of time and store them separately in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. When you’re ready to assemble the bowls, simply reheat the chicken and sauce and proceed with the recipe.

Leftover Chicken Alfredo can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The bread bowls are best eaten fresh, but you can try toasting them lightly before adding the reheated Alfredo to help prevent them from getting too soggy.

Variations and Add-Ins

The beauty of this recipe is that it’s incredibly versatile! Feel free to customize it to your liking with different proteins, vegetables, or cheeses.

Some Delicious Variations:

• Shrimp Alfredo Garlic Bread Bowls: Substitute the chicken with cooked shrimp for a seafood twist.
• Vegetarian Alfredo Garlic Bread Bowls: Add sauteed mushrooms, spinach, or broccoli to the Alfredo sauce for a vegetarian option.
• Spicy Alfredo Garlic Bread Bowls: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the Alfredo sauce for a touch of heat.
• Different Cheeses: Experiment with different types of cheese in the Alfredo sauce, such as mozzarella, provolone, or Asiago.

This also makes an amazing option for homemade lunch recipes. Portion out the Alfredo chicken into containers for easy grab-and-go meals for your work week!

More Recipes to Explore

If you’re a fan of creamy chicken dishes, you’ll definitely want to check out these other delicious recipes:

• Chicken Broccoli Alfredo Bake: A comforting and cheesy casserole perfect for a weeknight dinner.
• Garlic Bread Spaghetti Bowls: A fun and creative way to serve spaghetti.
• Creamy Chicken Tortellini Heaven: A hearty and flavorful dish that’s sure to impress.
• Parmesan Chicken With Garlic Sauce: A quick and easy weeknight dinner that’s packed with flavor.
• Crockpot Garlic Parmesan Chicken: An easy and hands-off way to make delicious garlic parmesan chicken.

These Garlic Parmesan Chicken and Chicken Broccoli Alfredo Bake recipes are both excellent choices for cool weather food when you want something warm and cozy.

Final Thoughts

So there you have it – my ultimate recipe for Chicken Alfredo Garlic Bread Bowls! I hope you enjoy making and devouring these decadent creations as much as I do. Don’t be afraid to get creative and customize the recipe to your liking. After all, cooking should be fun and enjoyable! Happy cooking, my friend, and may your kitchen always be filled with delicious aromas and happy memories!

ULTIMATE CHICKEN ALFREDO GARLIC BREAD BOWLS

Amelia Chen-Morrison

Indulge in creamy, cheesy, and carbohydrate-loaded Chicken Alfredo Garlic Bread Bowls! This recipe transforms simple ingredients into a comforting and satisfying meal, perfect for cozy nights. Tender chicken and luscious Alfredo sauce are served inside warm, crusty garlic bread bowls for the ultimate comfort food experience.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 25 minutes mins

Cook Time 35 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Servings 4

Calories 850 kcal

Equipment

• Oven
• Baking Sheet
• Small bowl
• serrated knife
• Large skillet
• Shallow Dish
• Whisk
• Spoon
• Measuring cups and spoons

Ingredients

  

• 4 round loaves of bread about 6 inches in diameter
• ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped
• ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• Pinch of salt
• Pinch of black pepper
• 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• ¼ cup olive oil
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 3 cups heavy cream
• 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for garnish
• ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
• ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish

Instructions

 

• Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
• While the oven is preheating, prepare the garlic butter. In a small bowl, combine the melted butter, minced garlic, chopped parsley, Parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper.
• Using a serrated knife, carefully cut out the center of each loaf of bread, leaving a 1-inch border around the edges and bottom to create a bowl. Remove the soft bread from the center (you can save this to make breadcrumbs or croutons!).
• Brush the inside and outside of each bread bowl with the garlic butter mixture.
• Place the bread bowls on a baking sheet and bake for 10-12 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy.
• In a shallow dish, combine the flour, salt, and pepper. Dredge the chicken pieces in the flour mixture, shaking off any excess.
• Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the breaded chicken and cook for 5-7 minutes, or until golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
• In the same skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute, or until fragrant.
• Pour in the heavy cream and bring to a simmer, stirring occasionally.
• Reduce the heat to low and stir in the Parmesan cheese and nutmeg. Continue to stir until the cheese is melted and the sauce is smooth and creamy.
• Add the cooked chicken to the Alfredo sauce and stir to coat.
• Spoon the Chicken Alfredo mixture into each garlic bread bowl.
• Garnish with extra Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley, if desired.
• Serve immediately and enjoy!

Notes

For a richer Alfredo sauce, use browned butter. You can prepare the garlic butter, cook the chicken, and make the Alfredo sauce ahead of time and store them separately in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Store leftover Chicken Alfredo in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Try substituting the chicken with cooked shrimp for a seafood twist. Add sauteed mushrooms, spinach, or broccoli to the Alfredo sauce for a vegetarian option. Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the Alfredo sauce for a touch of heat. Experiment with different types of cheese in the Alfredo sauce, such as mozzarella, provolone, or Asiago.