Barbecue Chicken Stuffed French Bread – French bread stuffed with chicken, barbecue sauce and plenty of cheese. Crispy, cheesy, and perfect for a quick family dinner or for entertaining.

This post was created on behalf of a sponsor. The opinions and text are my own.

Barbecue Chicken Stuffed French Bread

I love hosting friends and family. Whether it’s a casual lunch at home or a relaxed evening with girlfriends, food and conversation always bring people closer. When planning a recent get-together, my friend suggested something with barbecue flavors while I wanted a dish that used good bread. We combined those ideas and created this Barbecue Chicken Stuffed French Bread — a simple, crowd-pleasing recipe that comes together quickly but feels special.

This recipe is designed for busy cooks who still want to serve something comforting and delicious. Using a store-bought rotisserie chicken cuts prep time dramatically: in minutes you can shred the chicken, mix it with your favorite barbecue sauce, fold in a little cheese and onion, and stuff it into a hollowed-out loaf of French bread. Bake it briefly, finish under the broiler for a golden top, and you have a satisfying main course that slices easily and feeds a group.

This sandwich-style loaf pairs wonderfully with a pitcher of iced tea or a simple salad. Serve it as a family-style centerpiece and let everyone help themselves. The filling is adaptable: swap cheeses, add diced jalapeño for heat, or stir in corn or black beans for extra texture. It’s an easy recipe to customize while staying fast to prepare.

Recipe Overview

Prep: 5 mins • Cook: 25 mins • Total: 30 mins • Servings: 6

French bread stuffed with shredded chicken, barbecue sauce, red onion and plenty of cheddar cheese. Crispy on the outside, melty inside — a simple and delicious dinner.

Ingredients

1 loaf French bread
3 cups cooked chicken, chopped (rotisserie chicken works well)
1 (18 oz) bottle barbecue sauce
1/2 cup red onion, diced
2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded (divided)
Fresh cilantro for garnish (optional)

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
In a large bowl, combine the chopped chicken, barbecue sauce, diced red onion, and 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese. Mix until evenly coated.
Cut the top off the loaf of French bread and carefully remove some of the soft center to create a cavity for the filling.
Fill the hollowed loaf with the barbecue chicken mixture, pressing it gently so the filling is compact.
Wrap the filled loaf in aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes.
Remove the foil, sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of cheddar cheese on top, then place the loaf under the broiler for 3–5 minutes until the cheese is melted and golden. Watch closely to prevent burning.
Remove from the oven, garnish with fresh cilantro if desired, slice, and serve warm.

Tips and Variations

For a crispier crust, open the foil for the last 10 minutes of baking before broiling.
Try Monterey Jack or mozzarella for a milder, stretchier cheese pull.
Add diced bell peppers, corn, or black beans for a heartier filling.
If you prefer less sodium, choose a reduced-sodium barbecue sauce and low-sodium cheese.

Nutrition (approx.)

Serving: 1 • Calories: 532 kcal • Carbohydrates: 46 g • Protein: 34 g • Fat: 23 g • Saturated Fat: 10 g • Cholesterol: 101 mg • Sodium: 825 mg • Fiber: 2 g • Sugar: 7 g

Nutrition information is an estimate and should be used as a guideline only.

Author

Recipe by Erin Sellin

If you enjoy this recipe, try making it for your next casual gathering — it’s easy to scale up and always popular with kids and adults alike. Leave a comment below to share how you customized the filling or which beverage you paired it with.

This is a sponsored conversation written by the author on behalf of a partner. The opinions and text are my own.