Chicken Bread Recipe

Chicken Bread is a delicious and versatile dish that can be enjoyed as a snack, light lunch, or even a potluck appetizer. It features a flaky, buttery bread crust filled with a savory chicken filling. This recipe is surprisingly easy to make and requires minimal prep work.
The beauty of Chicken Bread lies in its adaptability. You can customize the filling to your liking by adding different vegetables, cheeses, or herbs. It's a great way to use leftover cooked chicken and transform it into a whole new dish.

Ingredients

• For the Dough:
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 (1/2 teaspoon) active dry yeast
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 cup milk, warm
• 3 tablespoons butter, softened
• 1 large egg
• For the Chicken Filling:
• 1 1/2 cups cooked chicken, shredded
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1/2 onion, chopped
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1/2 cup chopped vegetables (celery, carrots, peas, etc.) (optional)
• 1/4 cup chicken broth
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh herbs (parsley, thyme, or chives)
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Directions

1. Make the Dough: In a large bowl, combine flour, yeast, sugar, and salt. Whisk together until well combined. In a separate bowl, whisk together warm milk, butter, and egg. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and mix until a soft dough forms. Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface for 5-7 minutes, until smooth and elastic. Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and let rise in a warm place for 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
2. Make the Filling: While the dough rises, heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add onion and garlic, and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add chopped vegetables (if using) and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes. Stir in chicken broth, herbs, salt, and pepper. Bring to a simmer and cook for 5 minutes, or until the liquid has thickened slightly. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
3. Assemble and Bake: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a baking sheet. Punch down the dough and roll it out on a lightly floured surface into a large rectangle. Spread the cooled chicken filling evenly over the dough. Roll the dough up jelly-roll style, starting from the long end. Pinch the seam to seal. Brush the top of the loaf with beaten egg and sprinkle with sesame seeds (optional).
4. Bake the chicken bread for 30-35 minutes, or until golden brown and cooked through. Let cool slightly before slicing and serving.
5. Tips:
6. For a richer flavor, use browned butter in the dough.
7. You can use leftover rotisserie chicken for this recipe.
8. Get creative with the filling! Try adding different vegetables, cheeses, or spices.
9. Leftover chicken bread can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days, or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.