Honey Chipotle Chicken Garlic Bread

Ingredients

• 1 large chicken breast (Cut into bite-sized pieces; use about 1½ breasts if the breast is small.)
• 0.5 tbsp chicken bouillon
• 0.25 tsp ground cumin
• 0.25 tsp dried oregano
• 0.5 tsp paprika (For seasoning the chicken.)
• 1 tsp cayenne pepper (Adjust to taste.)
• 1 tbsp blended chipotle peppers in adobo sauce (For seasoning the chicken; blend about ½ cup of chipotle peppers in adobo sauce until smooth for use throughout the recipe.)
• 2.5 cloves garlic (Minced; for the chicken.)
• olive or vegetable oil (For cooking the chicken.)
• 4 tbsp honey (Start with 3 tbsp and add the 4th if you want the sauce sweeter.)
• 3 tbsp blended chipotle peppers in adobo sauce (For the honey chipotle sauce.)
• 1 tsp paprika (For the honey chipotle sauce.)
• 0.25 cup unsalted butter (Softened; for the garlic butter.)
• 5.5 cloves garlic (Minced; for the garlic butter.)
• 1.5 tbsp fresh parsley (Finely chopped; for the garlic butter.)
• 1 loaf Italian bread (Cut in half lengthwise; only one half is needed unless doubling the recipe.)
• 8 oz low-moisture mozzarella cheese (Freshly shredded.)
• fresh parsley (For garnish.)
• 1 tbsp unsalted butter (Melted; for the honey chipotle butter.)
• 2 tbsp reserved honey chipotle sauce (Reserved from the prepared sauce.)
• 0.333 cup mayonnaise (Optional cilantro lime ranch.)
• 0.333 cup sour cream (Optional cilantro lime ranch.)
• 2 tbsp buttermilk (Optional cilantro lime ranch.)
• 0.333 cup fresh cilantro (Optional cilantro lime ranch.)
• 1.5 limes (Optional cilantro lime ranch; adjust to taste.)
• salt (A pinch, for the optional cilantro lime ranch.)

Steps

1. 1

   Blend about ½ cup of chipotle peppers in adobo sauce until smooth. Set the blended peppers aside for use in the chicken, sauce, and finishing butter.

2. 2

   Add the bite-sized chicken pieces to a bowl. Season with the chicken bouillon, cumin, oregano, paprika, cayenne, 1 tbsp blended chipotle peppers, and minced garlic. Mix until evenly coated.

3. 3

   Drizzle a little olive or vegetable oil into a pan over medium-high heat.

4. 4

   Add the seasoned chicken to the pan and cook for about 6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until cooked through. Remove the chicken and transfer it to a bowl.

5. 5

   Make the honey chipotle sauce by combining the honey, 3 tbsp blended chipotle peppers, and 1 tsp paprika in a bowl. Start with 3 tbsp honey and add the 4th tablespoon if you want a sweeter sauce; mix until well combined.

6. 6

   Set aside 2 tbsp of the honey chipotle sauce for the honey chipotle butter.

7. 7

   Drizzle as much of the remaining honey chipotle sauce as desired over the cooked chicken. Toss until the chicken is evenly coated, then set it aside.

8. 8

   Combine the softened butter, minced garlic, and finely chopped parsley until thoroughly mixed to make the garlic butter.

9. 9

   For the optional cilantro lime ranch, add the mayonnaise, sour cream, buttermilk, cilantro, lime juice, and a pinch of salt to a blender. Blend until smooth and creamy, then refrigerate until ready to serve.

10. 10

    Preheat the oven to 400°F.

11. 11

    Cut the Italian bread in half lengthwise. Use one half for this recipe and save the other half for later, or double the recipe to use both halves.

12. 12

    Spread the garlic butter generously over the cut side of the bread.

13. 13

    Add a layer of freshly shredded mozzarella, followed by the honey chipotle chicken, and then top with more mozzarella.

14. 14

    Bake the assembled garlic bread at 400°F for 15 minutes.

15. 15

    Broil for an additional 30 seconds to 1 minute for extra browning. Keep a close eye on the bread and check it at the 30-second mark to prevent burning.

16. 16

    Combine the melted butter with the 2 tbsp reserved honey chipotle sauce to make the finishing butter.

17. 17

    Drizzle the honey chipotle butter over the garlic bread as soon as it comes out of the oven.

18. 18

    Garnish with fresh parsley. Slice and serve warm with the cilantro lime ranch on the side, if using.

Notes

The recipe uses only one half of the Italian bread loaf; save the other half or double the recipe. Chicken breasts vary in size, so use about 1½ breasts if yours is small. The cilantro lime ranch is optional.

Nutrition per serving

• main
• baked
• spicy
• chicken
• garlic bread
• cheesy
• American
• optional dipping sauce