How to Make Chicken Alfredo Monkey Bread Fast
If you’re craving a dish that combines creamy, cheesy goodness with tender chicken in a fun, shareable form, you’ve got to try this Chicken Alfredo Monkey Bread. This easy-to-make recipe transforms classic Alfredo flavors into pull-apart bread loaded with tender chicken, mozzarella, and rich Alfredo sauce, making it a perfect family meal or party appetizer that’s sure to impress without spending hours in the kitchen. Ready in under an hour, this Chicken Alfredo Monkey Bread is a game-changer for busy weeknights or casual gatherings.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Flavor Explosion: Every bite bursts with creamy Alfredo sauce and tender chicken, delivering restaurant-quality flavor at home.
- Shareable Fun: Designed as monkey bread, it’s perfect for pulling apart and sharing, making mealtime interactive and entertaining.
- Quick Preparation: It comes together fast using simple ingredients and minimal hands-on time, saving you from complicated cooking.
- Versatile Dish: Great as a main course or a crowd-pleasing appetizer, it fits seamlessly into any occasion.
- Kid-Friendly: The familiar flavors and fun presentation make it a hit with little ones and adults alike.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe relies on straightforward, crave-worthy ingredients that balance creaminess, cheesy meltiness, and savory chicken perfectly. Each component plays an essential role in texture and flavor harmony.
- Refrigerated Biscuit Dough: The foundation of the monkey bread, providing soft, fluffy bite-sized pieces that bake beautifully.
- Cooked Chicken Breast: Adds hearty protein and classic Alfredo character; shredded or diced works best.
- Alfredo Sauce: The creamy, garlicky sauce ties everything together with rich flavor and moisture.
- Mozzarella Cheese: Melts into gooey, stringy goodness between the bread pieces for ultimate indulgence.
- Parmesan Cheese: Sprinkled on top and inside for a sharp, nutty finish that enhances the overall dish.
- Butter: Adds richness and helps create the golden brown crust on the monkey bread edges.
- Garlic Powder and Italian Seasoning: Infuses the bread pieces with aromatic flavor, complementing the Alfredo sauce perfectly.
- Fresh Parsley (optional): For garnish, adding a pop of color and freshness.
Variations for Chicken Alfredo Monkey Bread
This Chicken Alfredo Monkey Bread recipe is highly adaptable, so feel free to tweak it based on your pantry, dietary preferences, or flavor cravings. Here are some easy ways to make it your own.
- Swap the Chicken: Use cooked turkey or rotisserie chicken for convenience and a flavor twist.
- Make it Vegetarian: Replace chicken with sautéed mushrooms or roasted veggies for a meat-free option.
- Add Heat: Incorporate crushed red pepper flakes or diced jalapeños for a spicy kick.
- Use Different Cheeses: Swap mozzarella for provolone, fontina, or a blend to change the cheese profile.
- Gluten-Free Version: Try gluten-free biscuit dough to fit special dietary needs without sacrificing texture.
- Herb Variations: Experiment with fresh basil, thyme, or rosemary in place of Italian seasoning for new aromas.
How to Make Chicken Alfredo Monkey Bread
Step 1: Prepare the Chicken and Sauce
Start by shredding or dicing cooked chicken breast into bite-sized pieces. Warm your Alfredo sauce slightly to make mixing easy and to ensure it spreads evenly throughout the bread.
Step 2: Cut and Season the Biscuit Dough
Open the refrigerated biscuit dough and cut each biscuit into quarters. Toss the dough pieces in melted butter, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning to infuse each bite with irresistible flavor.
Step 3: Assemble Layers
In a greased bundt or tube pan, layer the seasoned dough pieces, chicken, bits of mozzarella, and spoonfuls of Alfredo sauce. Repeat until all ingredients are used, ending with cheese on top for a bubbly finish.
Step 4: Bake to Perfection
Bake your assembled Chicken Alfredo Monkey Bread in a preheated oven (around 350°F or 175°C) for about 30-35 minutes until the bread is golden brown and cooked through. The cheese should be melted and bubbly, binding the layers together.
Step 5: Cool and Serve
Allow the monkey bread to cool for a few minutes, then invert onto a serving plate. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired and serve warm for the best gooey experience.
Pro Tips for Making Chicken Alfredo Monkey Bread
- Use Quality Alfredo Sauce: Homemade or store-bought, the sauce quality heavily impacts the final flavor—choose creamy and flavorful options.
- Don’t Overcrowd the Pan: Give the dough room to expand slightly so it bakes evenly and the inside stays soft.
- Watch Baking Time: Check around 30 minutes to avoid drying out; edges should be golden but the center moist.
- Add Cheese Between Layers: Distribute mozzarella and Parmesan throughout, not just on top for a consistent cheesy pull.
- Use Pre-Cooked Chicken: Saves time and ensures tender meat that blends seamlessly into the bread.
- Let it Rest: Cooling for 5-10 minutes helps the layers set so your monkey bread holds together when pulled apart.
How to Serve Chicken Alfredo Monkey Bread
Garnishes
Fresh parsley or chopped chives bring a bright, fresh finish to offset the richness of the Chicken Alfredo Monkey Bread. A sprinkle of extra Parmesan on top just before serving adds extra savory depth and visual appeal.
Side Dishes
This dish pairs perfectly with crisp green salads, steamed vegetables like broccoli or asparagus, or even a light tomato soup to balance the creamy richness. The contrast in textures and flavors brightens up the whole meal.
Creative Ways to Present
Serve the monkey bread on a large wooden board or colorful platter to encourage sharing. For parties, pair with small dipping bowls of extra Alfredo sauce or ranch dressing for added fun. You can also turn it into individual pull-apart servings by baking in muffin tins.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store leftover Chicken Alfredo Monkey Bread in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. It holds its flavor well and reheats beautifully without losing moisture.
Freezing
You can freeze unbaked assembled monkey bread by wrapping it tightly with plastic wrap and then foil. Freeze for up to 1 month and bake directly from frozen, adding extra cooking time for best results.
Reheating
Reheat leftovers in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10-15 minutes to restore the crispiness of the bread edges and melt the cheese back to gooey perfection. Microwave works for a quick fix but may soften the crust.
FAQs
Can I use store-bought Alfredo sauce?
Absolutely! Store-bought Alfredo sauce works well for this recipe and saves time, just choose one with a creamy texture and rich flavor for the best results.
What type of chicken is best for this monkey bread?
Cooked chicken breast, shredded or diced, is ideal because it’s lean and tender, blending nicely with the creamy sauce without overpowering the dish.
Can I make this recipe dairy-free?
Yes, swap regular cheese for dairy-free alternatives and use a dairy-free Alfredo sauce to accommodate dietary restrictions. The biscuit dough should also be checked for dairy content.
Is this recipe freezer-friendly?
Yes! You can assemble the monkey bread ahead and freeze it before baking. Just thaw and bake as directed, adding extra time to ensure it’s cooked through.
How do I avoid soggy monkey bread?
Be sure to use just enough Alfredo sauce to coat ingredients without saturating the dough, and don’t overcrowd the pan so the bread can bake evenly and develop a crispy exterior.
Final Thoughts
There’s something incredibly satisfying about a warm, cheesy, pull-apart bread filled with tender chicken and creamy Alfredo sauce. This Chicken Alfredo Monkey Bread recipe brings that comfort food magic to your table fast and effortlessly. Whether you’re feeding hungry kids, hosting friends, or just craving something cozy, this recipe is a deliciously simple winner worth trying. Grab your ingredients and get ready to share something truly special!
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Chicken Alfredo Monkey Bread
Chicken Alfredo Monkey Bread is a creamy, cheesy, and tender chicken-filled pull-apart bread that combines classic Alfredo flavors with soft biscuit dough. Perfect as a family meal or party appetizer, it’s quick to prepare and offers a fun, shareable eating experience loaded with mozzarella, Parmesan, rich Alfredo sauce, and savory seasoned chicken. Ready in under an hour, it’s an easy crowd-pleaser ideal for busy weeknights or casual gatherings.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Ingredients
Bread Base and Seasonings
- 1 can refrigerated biscuit dough (about 10 biscuits)
- 4 tbsp butter, melted
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
Chicken and Sauce
- 2 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded or diced
- 1 cup Alfredo sauce (homemade or store-bought)
Cheeses
- 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Garnish (optional)
- Fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken and Sauce: Shred or dice cooked chicken breast into bite-sized pieces. Warm the Alfredo sauce slightly to facilitate mixing and even distribution throughout the bread.
- Cut and Season the Biscuit Dough: Open the refrigerated biscuit dough and cut each biscuit into quarters. Toss the dough pieces in melted butter, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning until evenly coated to infuse each bite with flavor.
- Assemble Layers: Grease a bundt or tube pan. Layer the seasoned biscuit dough pieces, chicken, mozzarella cheese, and spoonfuls of Alfredo sauce, repeating layers until all ingredients are used, finishing with a layer of cheese on top to create a bubbly, golden finish when baked.
- Bake to Perfection: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the assembled monkey bread for 30-35 minutes, until the bread is golden brown and cooked through, and the cheese is melted and bubbly, binding the layers together.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the monkey bread to cool in the pan for 5-10 minutes, then invert onto a serving plate. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired and serve warm to enjoy the gooey, cheesy texture to the fullest.
Notes
- Use quality Alfredo sauce (homemade or store-bought) for best flavor.
- Do not overcrowd the pan to allow dough expansion and even baking.
- Check baking time around 30 minutes to avoid drying out; bread edges should be golden, center moist.
- Add mozzarella and Parmesan cheese throughout layers, not just on top, for consistent cheesy pull.
- Use pre-cooked chicken to save time and ensure tenderness.
- Let the monkey bread rest after baking to help the layers set and hold together.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/8 of monkey bread
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 580mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 60mg
Keywords: Chicken Alfredo, Monkey Bread, Pull-Apart Bread, Cheesy Bread, Party Appetizer, Family Meal, Quick Dinner