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If you are looking to impress your family or friends with something comfortingly indulgent yet fun to eat, the Chicken Alfredo Garlic Bread Bowls Recipe is a total game changer. This dish effortlessly combines tender, garlicky chicken Alfredo pasta with crispy, buttery bread bowls that double as edible serving dishes—perfect for soaking up every last drop of creamy sauce. Imagine that warm Alfredo sauce clinging to flaky bread, the savoriness of seasoned chicken, and a hint of fresh herbs on top. Once you try this recipe, it will quickly become one of your go-to meals for cozy nights or casual get-togethers.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering the right components is the first step to nailing this delicious dish. These straightforward ingredients complement each other perfectly, ensuring creamy textures, rich flavors, and a lovely golden finish.
- Chicken breasts: Cubed for quick, even cooking and juicy bites throughout.
- Pasta: Penne or fettuccine works great, providing the ideal shape to hold onto the sauce.
- Kaiser rolls: Perfectly sturdy for hollowing out and holding your creamy filling without falling apart.
- Alfredo sauce: The creamy, cheesy heart of the dish that binds everything with richness.
- Unsalted butter: Melted to create a luscious garlic butter that crisps the bread bowls beautifully.
- Garlic and herb seasoning: Infuses a delightful fragrance and flavor into both the chicken and the bread.
- Parmesan cheese: Sprinkled on top for that irresistible golden, melty finish.
- Olive oil: Used to sear the chicken, locking in moisture and adding subtle flavor.
- Salt and pepper: Essential for proper seasoning and bringing all flavors to life.
- Fresh parsley and red pepper flakes (optional): These garnishes add a fresh brightness and a gentle kick of heat.
How to Make Chicken Alfredo Garlic Bread Bowls Recipe
Step 1: Cook the Chicken to Perfection
Start by seasoning your cubed chicken breasts generously with garlic and herb seasoning, plus salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a pan over medium-high heat and cook the chicken for about 6 to 8 minutes or until golden and cooked through. This step is crucial because properly seared chicken adds flavor depth and texture to the whole dish.
Step 2: Boil the Pasta Until Al Dente
While the chicken cooks, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook your choice of pasta according to package directions just until al dente—this ensures it will hold up well when baked later. Drain and set aside to keep ready for combining.
Step 3: Prepare Your Bread Bowls
Slice the tops off your kaiser rolls and carefully hollow out the centers to create sturdy bread bowls. Keep a little of the bread inside the shell to maintain structure, and save the tops for dipping or other uses later on.
Step 4: Make the Garlic Butter and Toast the Bowls
Mix melted unsalted butter with your garlic and herb seasoning, then brush generously on the inside and edges of each hollowed-out roll. Arrange them on a baking sheet and bake at 375°F for 4 to 5 minutes until they are lightly toasted and fragrant—this step adds a beautiful buttery crunch to your bread bowls.
Step 5: Combine Pasta, Chicken, and Alfredo Sauce
Return to the pan with your cooked chicken and add the pasta and Alfredo sauce. Stir everything gently but thoroughly to coat every noodle and morsel of chicken in creamy, garlicky goodness.
Step 6: Assemble and Bake the Filled Bowls
Fill each toasted bread bowl generously with the chicken Alfredo mixture, then sprinkle shredded Parmesan cheese on top. Place the stuffed bowls back in the oven for another 4 to 5 minutes or until the cheese melts beautifully and the edges of the bread turn crisp.
Step 7: Final Touch and Serving
Once out of the oven, add a sprinkle of fresh parsley and a dash of red pepper flakes if you like a bit of heat and fresh vibrancy. Serve immediately to enjoy that perfect contrast of creamy filling and crisp garlic bread exterior.
How to Serve Chicken Alfredo Garlic Bread Bowls Recipe
Garnishes
Fresh parsley adds a burst of herbal brightness that lightens up the richness of the dish, while red pepper flakes bring a subtle heat that elevates the flavors wonderfully. Both toppings are easy ways to add a little extra love and personality before serving.
Side Dishes
Since the bread bowls are quite hearty, keep sides light and fresh. A green salad with a tangy vinaigrette, steamed broccoli, or even roasted cherry tomatoes complement the creamy pasta perfectly and add a pop of color on the plate.
Creative Ways to Present
Try serving your Chicken Alfredo Garlic Bread Bowls Recipe on a rustic wooden board with mini bowls of additional Parmesan or chili flakes on the side. You can even offer a small jar of garlic butter for dipping leftover bread tops to make the meal feel even more luxurious and thoughtfully styled.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Allow your leftovers to cool completely, then store the filled bread bowls in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. The bread may soften slightly but will still taste delicious when reheated carefully.
Freezing
If you want to freeze leftovers, remove the bread tops and wrap each bread bowl individually in plastic wrap and foil. Freeze for up to 1 month. When ready to enjoy, thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Reheating
Reheat in a preheated oven at 350°F for about 10-15 minutes until warmed through and the cheese is bubbly again. Avoid microwaving if possible, as it can make the bread soggy instead of crisp.
FAQs
Can I use a different type of bread for the bowls?
Absolutely! While kaiser rolls work best for their sturdiness and size, you can experiment with sourdough boule, large crusty rolls, or even small round loaves. Just choose bread that can hold the filling without falling apart.
Is homemade Alfredo sauce better than jarred?
Homemade Alfredo sauce offers a richer taste and can be customized to your liking, but using a high-quality jarred sauce is a fantastic time saver and still yields delicious results in this recipe.
Can I substitute chicken with another protein?
Definitely. Cooked shrimp, sliced steak, or even roasted vegetables can be excellent alternatives to chicken, making this dish versatile and adaptable to different preferences.
What pasta should I use if I don’t have penne or fettuccine?
Any short or medium-length pasta like rotini, rigatoni, or farfalle works great because their shapes help trap the creamy sauce, ensuring every bite is deliciously coated.
How spicy is this dish with red pepper flakes?
The heat is subtle and entirely optional, so you control the spice level by adjusting the amount or leaving it off. It adds more of a gentle warmth rather than overpowering heat.
Final Thoughts
This Chicken Alfredo Garlic Bread Bowls Recipe is a warm hug on a plate that everyone will rave about. It’s a creative twist on classic comfort food that’s as fun to serve as it is to eat. Whether you’re making it for a casual family dinner or craving something special to share with friends, this recipe promises satisfaction in every cheesy, garlicky bite. Don’t hesitate to give it a try—you’ll be so happy you did!
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Chicken Alfredo Garlic Bread Bowls Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Description
These Chicken Alfredo Garlic Bread Bowls are a comforting and indulgent meal featuring tender chicken cooked with garlic and herb seasoning, creamy Alfredo sauce, and perfectly cooked pasta all served inside crispy, toasted garlic butter brushed bread bowls. Garnished with parmesan cheese, fresh parsley, and a sprinkle of red pepper flakes, this easy-to-make recipe delivers a delightful mix of flavors and textures that the whole family will love.
Ingredients
Chicken and Pasta
- 3 chicken breasts, cut into cubes
- 1 pound pasta (penne, fettuccine, or your choice)
- 1 jar Alfredo sauce (about 15 oz)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 3–4 teaspoons garlic and herb seasoning
Bread Bowls & Toppings
- 6 Kaiser rolls (or more if needed)
- 1 stick (½ cup) unsalted butter, melted
- ½ cup shredded Parmesan cheese
- Fresh parsley (optional, for garnish)
- Red pepper flakes (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Cook the chicken: Season the chicken cubes with garlic and herb seasoning, salt, and pepper. Heat olive oil in a pan over medium-high heat, then add the chicken. Cook for 6-8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through.
- Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta and set it aside.
- Prepare the bread bowls: Slice the tops off the Kaiser rolls and carefully hollow out the centers to create bowl shapes suitable for filling.
- Make garlic butter: Combine the melted butter with garlic and herb seasoning. Using a brush, apply the garlic butter evenly on the inside and edges of each bread bowl.
- Bake the bread bowls: Arrange the prepared bread bowls on a baking sheet and bake at 375°F (190°C) for 4-5 minutes until they are lightly toasted and fragrant.
- Combine pasta and sauce: In the pan with the cooked chicken, add the drained pasta and Alfredo sauce. Stir gently to coat the pasta and chicken evenly with the creamy sauce.
- Assemble the bowls: Spoon the chicken Alfredo mixture into each toasted bread bowl. Sprinkle the shredded Parmesan cheese generously on top.
- Bake again: Return the filled bread bowls to the oven and bake at 375°F for another 4-5 minutes, or until the cheese has melted and the bread edges are crispy.
- Serve and enjoy: Garnish with fresh parsley and red pepper flakes if desired. Serve immediately while hot and enjoy the delicious blend of creamy, cheesy chicken Alfredo in crunchy garlic bread bowls.
Notes
- You can use any type of pasta you prefer; penne and fettuccine work best for holding the sauce.
- If you like more garlic flavor, feel free to add extra garlic powder to the garlic butter.
- Kaiser rolls should be firm enough to hold the filling without becoming soggy quickly.
- For a spicier kick, add more red pepper flakes when serving.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for 1-2 days; reheat in the oven to maintain bread crispness.
