Indulge in the delectable flavors of Buffalo Chicken Focaccia Bread, a homemade treat that combines the goodness of focaccia bread with a mouthwatering buffalo chicken mixture and a blend of two delightful cheeses. This unique twist on traditional focaccia bread will leave you craving for more. The best part? It can be prepared in a cast-iron skillet, resulting in a thick and satisfying crust that adds an extra layer of satisfaction to every bite.
Ingredients & Substitutions
Crust: The foundation of this culinary delight lies in my tried-and-true focaccia bread recipe, which serves as the base for a truly scrumptious crust reminiscent of a deep-dish pizza.
Toppings: Elevate the flavors with a combination of ranch dressing, homemade buffalo sauce, shredded rotisserie chicken, cheddar cheese, and mozzarella cheese. These ingredients will be carefully layered within and on top of the bread. If you prefer, you can also substitute blue cheese dressing for ranch dressing.
Focaccia Bread Dough
To embark on the culinary journey of Buffalo Chicken Focaccia Bread, begin by preparing the dough. In a large bowl, combine yeast, water, and sugar, stirring them together. Allow the mixture to rest for five minutes. While it rests, take a small bowl and mix together olive oil, minced garlic, salt, and Italian seasoning.
Pour half of the olive oil mixture into the yeast mixture, reserving the other half for later use. Stir in the flour and transfer the dough into a greased bowl. Cover the bowl with a tea towel and let the dough rise for approximately one hour, or until it has doubled in size.
No Cast-Iron Skillet? No Problem!
If a cast-iron skillet is not readily available for creating this Buffalo Chicken Focaccia Bread, don’t fret. You can use a baking dish instead. A 9×11-inch baking dish or even a 9×13-inch dish will suffice (though the crust may be slightly thinner). Simply follow the instructions as provided.
Ingredients
DOUGH
- 1 cup warm water
- 1 teaspoon active dry yeast
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- ⅓ cup olive oil
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 2 ½ cups (312.5 g) all-purpose flour
TOPPINGS
- ¼ cup ranch dressing, plus extra for drizzling
- ½ cup buffalo sauce, plus extra for drizzling
- 4 cups shredded rotisserie chicken
- 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, divided
- Optional garnish: chopped parsley
Instructions
DOUGH
- In a large bowl, combine yeast, warm water, and granulated sugar. Stir the mixture and let it rest for 5 minutes.
- In a small bowl, combine olive oil, Italian seasoning, minced garlic, and sea salt.
- Pour half of the oil mixture into the yeast mixture, setting aside the remaining half for later use.
- Stir in the all-purpose flour until well combined.
- Grease a bowl and transfer the dough into it. Cover the bowl with a tea towel and let the dough rest for approximately 1 hour, or until it has doubled in size.
ASSEMBLY
- Preheat the oven to 450°F (230°C) when the dough is ready.
- In a medium bowl, stir together the ranch dressing, buffalo sauce, and shredded rotisserie chicken.
- Pour the remaining oil mixture into a 12-inch cast-iron skillet. Use a pastry brush to evenly coat the surface of the skillet with the oil mixture.
- Take half of the prepared dough and place it in the skillet, gently pressing and working the dough to cover the bottom of the skillet and reach the edges. Use your fingers to create small dimples in the dough, allowing it to absorb the flavors that await.
- Spread 1 cup of the chicken mixture over the dough, ensuring an even distribution. Sprinkle ½ cup of shredded cheddar cheese and ½ cup of shredded mozzarella cheese over the chicken, adding a layer of irresistible cheesiness to the bread.
- Take the remaining half of the dough and place it onto a sheet of parchment paper. Use your hands to shape the dough into a 12-inch circle, mirroring the size of the skillet. Carefully invert the parchment paper over the cheese layer, allowing the top layer of dough to settle into the skillet. Gently peel back the parchment paper, leaving the dough intact.
- Create additional dimples on the top layer of dough using your fingers, allowing for better texture and flavor absorption. Top the dough with the remaining chicken mixture, spreading it evenly.
- Bake the Buffalo Chicken Focaccia Bread in the preheated oven for 12 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the dough to rise beautifully.
- After the initial 12 minutes, sprinkle the remaining shredded mozzarella cheese and cheddar cheese over the bread, allowing them to melt into a gooey, irresistible topping. Continue baking for an additional 14-16 minutes, or until the cheese is perfectly melted and lightly golden.
- Once done, remove the Buffalo Chicken Focaccia Bread from the oven and drizzle extra buffalo sauce and ranch dressing over the bread for an extra kick of flavor. Serve the bread hot, allowing the aroma to entice your senses. For an optional touch, garnish with chopped parsley, adding a pop of freshness to the dish.
Enjoy the Buffalo Chicken Focaccia Bread as a delightful appetizer, party snack, or even as a main course paired with a refreshing salad. This unique fusion of flavors and textures is sure to impress your friends and family, leaving them craving for more of this mouthwatering creation. Get ready to savor the combination of homemade bread, tangy buffalo chicken, and cheesy goodness with every delectable bite.
