Pesto Chicken Garlic Bread Boats (Print version)

Crispy garlic bread boats filled with pesto chicken and melted mozzarella cheese for a satisfying Italian-American comfort meal.

# What You Need:

→ Garlic Bread

01 - 2 large demi-baguettes or Italian sandwich rolls
02 - 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
03 - 2 garlic cloves, minced
04 - 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
05 - Pinch of salt

→ Pesto Chicken Filling

06 - 2 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded or diced
07 - 1/3 cup basil pesto
08 - 1/2 cup mayonnaise or Greek yogurt
09 - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
10 - 1/4 teaspoon salt

→ Assembly

11 - 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
12 - 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
13 - Fresh basil leaves for garnish, optional

# Directions:

01 - Preheat oven to 375°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
02 - Slice each baguette in half lengthwise, leaving a hinge if possible. Gently hollow out soft bread center to create a well, leaving approximately 1/2 inch of bread on sides and bottom.
03 - In a small bowl, combine softened butter, minced garlic, chopped parsley, and pinch of salt. Spread mixture evenly inside each bread boat.
04 - Toast bread boats in oven for 5 minutes until just beginning to crisp.
05 - In a medium bowl, combine shredded chicken, pesto, mayonnaise or Greek yogurt, black pepper, and salt. Mix until well coated.
06 - Spoon pesto chicken mixture evenly into toasted bread boats. Top with shredded mozzarella and sprinkle of Parmesan.
07 - Return filled bread boats to oven and bake for 12 to 15 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbling and edges are golden.
08 - Remove from oven, let cool slightly, then slice into portions. Garnish with fresh basil if desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • You get buttery, garlicky bread and juicy pesto chicken in one bite without juggling multiple dishes.
  • It comes together in just 35 minutes, which means you can pull this off on a Tuesday without losing your mind.
  • Everyone at the table will ask for the recipe, and you'll smile knowing it's easier than they think.
02 -
  • Don't hollow out the bread too aggressively or you'll end up with fragile boats that fall apart during filling—just enough to create a well is all you need.
  • If your chicken seems dry, the mayo or pesto is what saves it, so don't skimp on either one or you'll taste the difference immediately.
03 -
  • If your mozzarella isn't melting as fast as you'd like, cover the boats loosely with foil for the first 8 minutes of the final bake so the cheese softens while the bread stays moist, then remove the foil to let it bubble and brown.
  • Low-moisture mozzarella is non-negotiable here because fresh mozzarella will release too much water and make your boats soggy instead of crispy.
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