Chicken Alfredo Monkey Bread

Chicken Alfredo Monkey Bread: A Savory Twist on a Classic Comfort Food

If you’re craving something indulgent, cheesy, and utterly irresistible, Chicken Alfredo Monkey Bread is the dish that brings together all your favorite comfort food elements into one pull-apart masterpiece. This savory spin on the traditional sweet Monkey Bread swaps out cinnamon sugar for creamy Alfredo sauce, tender chunks of chicken, and layers of gooey mozzarella and Parmesan cheese. Baked to golden perfection and served warm from the bundt pan, each bite delivers a rich, satisfying flavor that’s perfect for family dinners, holiday gatherings, or weekend feasts.

The History of Monkey Bread and Its Evolution

Monkey Bread, also known as “pull-apart bread” or “bubble bread,” originated in Hungary, where it was traditionally called Arany Galuska—meaning “golden dumplings.” It made its way into American kitchens in the mid-20th century, popularized by Hungarian immigrants and later featured in cookbooks and women’s magazines. Originally, Monkey Bread was a sweet treat, made with layers of biscuit dough balls coated in melted butter, cinnamon, and sugar, then baked in a bundt pan so the sticky layers would caramelize into a gooey, shareable dessert.

Over time, creative home cooks began experimenting with savory versions, inspired by the popularity of appetizers and party foods that could be shared easily. The concept of coating dough pieces in flavorful mixtures opened the door for endless variations—bacon ranch, garlic parmesan, buffalo chicken—and eventually led to the creation of Chicken Alfredo Monkey Bread. By combining the pull-apart format with the beloved flavors of fettuccine Alfredo, this version has become a modern classic at potlucks, game-day spreads, and dinner parties across America.

Ingredients Breakdown: What Makes This Dish So Delicious?

Chicken Alfredo Monkey Bread owes its rich, comforting taste to a carefully balanced blend of ingredients that work together to create layers of flavor and texture. Here’s a breakdown of what goes into this decadent dish:

Premade Biscuit Dough: The foundation of any Monkey Bread is soft, fluffy dough that puffs up during baking. Using canned refrigerated biscuit dough (such as Pillsbury Grands) saves time without sacrificing texture.
Cooked Chicken Breast: Shredded or diced cooked chicken adds protein and heartiness. Rotisserie chicken works great for convenience, but poached, grilled, or leftover baked chicken are excellent options too.
Alfredo Sauce: Store-bought or homemade creamy Alfredo sauce binds the entire dish together, providing that signature garlicky, cheesy richness. Look for a high-quality sauce with real Parmesan and heavy cream for best results.
Mozzarella Cheese: Melts beautifully and gives the bread its signature stretch. Freshly grated mozzarella works better than pre-shredded (which contains anti-caking agents).
Parmesan Cheese: Adds a sharp, salty depth that complements the creamy Alfredo perfectly. Use freshly grated for maximum flavor.
Garlic: Minced fresh garlic enhances the savory profile, adding warmth and aroma.
Butter: Melted butter coats the dough pieces, promoting browning and helping the sauce and seasonings adhere.
Italian Seasoning: A blend of dried herbs like oregano, basil, thyme, and rosemary adds complexity and balances the richness.
Salt & Black Pepper: Essential for seasoning every layer properly.
Optional Add-ins: Sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, bacon, or roasted red peppers can elevate the dish with additional textures and flavors.

Step-by-Step Recipe: How to Make Chicken Alfredo Monkey Bread

Follow these detailed steps to create a show-stopping Chicken Alfredo Monkey Bread that will impress your family and guests alike.

Preheat Your Oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 10- to 12-cup Bundt pan or deep cake pan with non-stick spray or softened butter to prevent sticking.
Prepare the Chicken: If not already cooked, prepare 2 cups of shredded or cubed chicken breast. You can boil, bake, or use a store-bought rotisserie chicken. Let it cool slightly before dicing.
Chop and Sauté Garlic: In a small saucepan over low heat, melt 4 tablespoons of butter and sauté 2–3 cloves of minced garlic for about 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
Mix the Coating: Remove from heat and stir in 1 cup of Alfredo sauce, ½ teaspoon black pepper, 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, and ¼ teaspoon salt. Mix well to combine. This will be your glaze for the dough.
Prepare the Biscuits: Open the cans of biscuit dough (you’ll need about 16 large biscuits or 32 small ones). Cut each biscuit into quarters using kitchen scissors or a knife.
Coat the Dough: Place the biscuit pieces in a large bowl. Pour half of the Alfredo mixture over them and gently toss to coat evenly. Be careful not to tear the dough.
Add Cheese and Chicken: Sprinkle 1 cup of shredded mozzarella and ½ cup of grated Parmesan into the bowl. Add the cooked chicken and gently fold everything together until the dough pieces are studded with cheese and chicken.
Layer in the Pan: Begin dropping the coated dough pieces randomly into the prepared Bundt pan. After every few handfuls, drizzle some of the remaining Alfredo mixture and sprinkle more cheese. Repeat layering until all the dough is used, finishing with a generous topping of cheese and sauce.
Bake Until Golden: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 35–40 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the center is fully cooked (internal temperature should reach 190°F/88°C). Cover loosely with foil if the top browns too quickly.
Cool Slightly and Serve: Allow the Monkey Bread to rest in the pan for 5–10 minutes. Then invert it onto a serving plate so the cheesy, saucy side faces up. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley or extra Parmesan if desired.
Serve Warm: Pull apart the pieces with forks or fingers and enjoy immediately while hot and melty!

Tips for Perfect Chicken Alfredo Monkey Bread Every Time

Use High-Quality Alfredo Sauce: Since the sauce is a primary flavor component, opt for a premium brand or make your own using butter, cream, garlic, and fresh Parmesan.
Don’t Skip the Garlic Butter Step: Sautéing the garlic in butter before mixing it into the sauce deepens the flavor significantly.
Grate Your Own Cheese: Pre-shredded cheeses contain cellulose, which can affect melting quality. Freshly grated mozzarella melts smoother and tastes better.
Uniform Dough Pieces: Cut the biscuits into even-sized chunks (about 1-inch) to ensure consistent cooking and even distribution of flavors.
Don’t Overmix: When combining dough, sauce, chicken, and cheese, fold gently to avoid breaking down the dough.
Let It Rest Before Serving: Allowing the bread to sit for 5–10 minutes after baking helps it hold together when inverted and makes it easier to pull apart cleanly.
Invert Carefully: Run a knife around the edges before flipping. Tap the bottom lightly if needed to release the bread from the pan.
Serve with Dipping Sauce: Offer extra warmed Alfredo or marinara sauce on the side for dipping.

Variations and Customizations: Make It Your Own

One of the best things about Chicken Alfredo Monkey Bread is how easily it can be customized to suit different tastes, dietary needs, or occasions. Try these delicious variations:

Bacon Lovers’ Version: Add ½ cup of crumbled cooked bacon along with the chicken for a smoky, salty twist.
Spinach & Artichoke Style: Fold in ½ cup of chopped cooked spinach and ⅓ cup of marinated artichoke hearts for a dip-inspired upgrade.
Buffalo Chicken Monkey Bread: Replace half the Alfredo with buffalo sauce and add blue cheese crumbles before baking.
Vegetarian Option: Omit the chicken and add sautéed mushrooms, bell peppers, zucchini, or caramelized onions.
Spicy Kick: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce to the Alfredo mixture for some heat.
Gluten-Free: Use gluten-free biscuit dough or drop biscuits made from GF flour blends. Ensure the Alfredo sauce is gluten-free as well.
Dairy-Free: Substitute dairy-free butter, vegan mozzarella shreds, and a plant-based Alfredo sauce (made with cashews or coconut milk).
Mini Versions: Bake in muffin tins for individual servings—perfect for parties or meal prep!

Health Considerations and Nutritional Value

While Chicken Alfredo Monkey Bread is undeniably rich and indulgent, there are ways to make it slightly lighter or more balanced nutritionally:

Protein Power: With chicken and cheese, this dish provides a good amount of protein (approximately 15–20g per serving), helping keep you full longer.
Calorie Content: One serving (1/8 of the loaf) can range from 400–600 calories depending on ingredients used. Heavy cream, butter, and cheese contribute most of the fat and calories.
Fat Profile: Contains saturated fats from dairy and butter. Opt for reduced-fat Alfredo sauce and cheeses if watching fat intake.
Carbohydrates: Primarily from the biscuit dough. Each serving may have 30–40g of carbs. Whole grain or lower-carb dough alternatives can help reduce this.
Sodium Levels: Can be high due to processed sauces, cheeses, and canned dough. Use low-sodium versions when possible and control added salt.
Portion Control: Serve alongside a crisp green salad or steamed vegetables to balance the meal and manage portion sizes.
Healthier Swaps:
- Use whole wheat or protein-enriched biscuit dough.
- Make homemade Alfredo with Greek yogurt or pureed cauliflower for a lighter base.
- Add more veggies like spinach, broccoli, or roasted tomatoes to boost fiber and nutrients.

Full Ingredients List

2 cans (16.3 oz each) refrigerated jumbo biscuit dough (8 biscuits per can)
2 cups cooked, shredded or diced chicken breast
1 cup creamy Alfredo sauce (store-bought or homemade)
½ cup unsalted butter
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
¾ cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
½ teaspoon black pepper
¼ teaspoon salt (optional, depending on sauce and cheese)
Non-stick cooking spray or butter (for greasing the pan)
Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish, optional)

Detailed Directions

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Generously grease a 10- to 12-cup Bundt pan with non-stick spray or butter. Set aside.
In a small saucepan, melt ½ cup (4 oz) of butter over medium-low heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute until aromatic. Do not let it brown.
Remove from heat and stir in 1 cup of Alfredo sauce, 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, ½ teaspoon black pepper, and ¼ teaspoon salt. Mix until smooth and well combined. Set aside.
Open the biscuit cans and cut each biscuit into four equal pieces using kitchen shears or a knife.
In a large mixing bowl, place the biscuit pieces. Pour half of the Alfredo-garlic mixture over the dough and gently toss to coat.
Add 1 cup of mozzarella cheese, ½ cup of Parmesan cheese, and the cooked chicken to the bowl. Gently fold everything together until evenly distributed.
Begin layering the mixture into the greased Bundt pan. Drop spoonfuls of the coated dough into the pan, shaking gently to settle.
After placing about one-third of the mixture, drizzle some of the remaining sauce and sprinkle with extra cheese. Repeat layering two more times, ending with a final drizzle of sauce and a generous topping of the remaining ½ cup mozzarella and ¼ cup Parmesan.
Place the pan in the center of the preheated oven and bake for 35–40 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
If the top browns too quickly, cover loosely with aluminum foil during the last 10 minutes of baking.
Remove from the oven and let cool in the pan for 5–10 minutes. Run a butter knife around the inner and outer edges to loosen.
Invert the Monkey Bread onto a serving plate. Lift the pan straight up to reveal the cheesy, bubbly top.
Garnish with chopped fresh parsley or a sprinkle of extra Parmesan if desired.
Serve warm, pulling apart pieces with forks or fingers. Offer extra warmed Alfredo sauce on the side for dipping.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can I make Chicken Alfredo Monkey Bread ahead of time?
Yes! Assemble the dish up to 24 hours in advance, cover tightly, and refrigerate. Let it sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before baking. You may need to add 5–10 minutes to the baking time.

Can I freeze this Monkey Bread?
Absolutely. Once baked and cooled completely, wrap tightly in plastic wrap and foil, then freeze for up to 3 months. Reheat in a 325°F oven for 20–25 minutes, covering with foil to prevent drying.

Can I use crescent roll dough instead of biscuits?
Yes, though the texture will be flakier and less fluffy. Unroll the triangles and cut into squares or rectangles before coating and layering.

Why is my Monkey Bread soggy in the middle?
This usually happens if too much sauce is used or if the bread isn’t baked long enough. Make sure to measure the sauce accurately and check for doneness with a toothpick.

Can I make this in a slow cooker?
Not recommended. The moisture buildup will make the dough gummy. Stick to the oven method for best results.

How do I reheat leftovers?
Reheat individual portions in the microwave for 30–45 seconds or warm the entire dish in a 300°F oven for 15–20 minutes, covered with foil.

What can I serve with Chicken Alfredo Monkey Bread?
Pair it with a simple green salad, garlic breadsticks, roasted vegetables, or a cup of tomato soup for a complete meal.

Summary

Chicken Alfredo Monkey Bread is a decadent, crowd-pleasing dish that combines tender chicken, creamy Alfredo sauce, and fluffy biscuit dough into a golden, pull-apart delight. Baked in a Bundt pan and loaded with melty cheeses, it’s perfect for special occasions or cozy weeknight dinners.

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