Description
Monterey Chicken Braid is a delicious and visually impressive baked dish featuring a savory blend of cooked chicken, Monterey Jack cheese, spinach, and sour cream wrapped in a braided pizza dough. Topped with crispy french fried onions and melted cheese, this recipe serves as a perfect comfort food for family dinners or casual gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
Filling
- 2 cups cooked chopped chicken
- 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
- ½ (10-oz) package frozen chopped spinach, thawed and drained
- â…” cup sour cream
- ¼ tsp garlic powder (or to taste)
- ½ cup french fried onions
Topping
- ¼ cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
- ¼ cup french fried onions
Dough
- 1 (13.8-oz) can refrigerated pizza dough
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400ºF to prepare for baking.
- Prepare Dough: Roll out the refrigerated pizza dough vertically on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ease cleanup.
- Make Filling: In a bowl, combine the cooked chopped chicken, 1 cup Monterey Jack cheese, thawed and drained spinach, sour cream, garlic powder, and ½ cup french fried onions. Mix well to evenly distribute all ingredients.
- Assemble Braid: Spread the chicken mixture evenly down the center of the rolled-out pizza dough. Cut 12 strips on each side of the dough, then fold the strips alternately over the filling to form a braided pattern, enclosing the filling securely.
- Bake First Stage: Bake the braid in the preheated oven for 18-20 minutes or until the dough is lightly browned and cooked through.
- Add Toppings: Remove the braid from the oven and sprinkle the remaining ¼ cup Monterey Jack cheese and ¼ cup french fried onions evenly over the top.
- Bake Final Stage: Return the braid to the oven and bake for an additional 5 minutes, or until the cheese has fully melted and the onions are crisped to your liking.
Notes
- Ensure the spinach is thoroughly drained to avoid a soggy filling.
- You can substitute sour cream with Greek yogurt for a tangier taste and added protein.
- For a spicier version, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or red chili flakes to the filling mixture.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated and reheated in the oven to maintain crispiness.
- Make sure the pizza dough strips are even for an attractive braid.
