Ultimate Game Day Chicken Spinach Artichoke Dip French Bread: Your Tailgating Touchdown Recipe!
Get ready to score a major culinary touchdown at your next tailgating party or game day gathering with this show-stopping Chicken Spinach & Artichoke Dip French Bread! This isn’t just any dip; it’s a creamy, dreamy, and intensely cheesy classic, generously loaded with tender chicken, then lavishly slathered onto a crisp French bread loaf, and crowned with even more glorious cheese. It’s the ultimate crowd-pleaser that guarantees a win, every single time.
Embrace the Football Season: A Time for Feasting and Fun
Can you feel it? That electric hum in the air? Football season is officially upon us, kicking off next week, and I honestly can’t contain my excitement. For me, the start of football season isn’t just about the games; it signals the beginning of my absolute favorite time of the year. It’s a cascade of wonderful things: the crisp autumn weather starts to roll in, followed by the enchanting pumpkin spice takeover, then my birthday, and finally, all the beloved holidays. From this moment forward, it’s a continuous cycle of delicious feasting, joyful gatherings, and massive celebrations, week after glorious week.
Even if my home team, the Broncos, face a few bumps in the road – let’s be honest, they might not be as strategically set up as they were last year, and who knows what kind of chaotic fantasy team I’ll draft – the celebration will undeniably continue. You can bet I’ll be there, obnoxiously cheering for my Broncos every single week, with all the passion and pride a fan can muster. And this year, there’s an extra layer of excitement: I’ll be attending an actual game for the very first time! *Cue an endless happy dance!* It’s kind of a huge deal, a milestone event, much like this incredible recipe I’m sharing with you today. (See what I did there? Pretty clever, right?)
The Perfect Game Day Snack: Cheesy, Creamy, and Utterly Satisfying
As I passionately root for the Broncos (and maybe attempt to mimic Von Miller’s iconic sack dance – come on, don’t even pretend you haven’t tried!), you can be sure I’ll be joyfully devouring generous slices of this fantastic Chicken Spinach and Artichoke Dip French Bread. This dish truly embodies everything I envision for the ultimate tailgating or game-time snack. It’s packed with that irresistible creamy, cheesy goodness, featuring an ample amount of both cheese and carbs for maximum satisfaction. Plus, the added chicken provides a welcome boost of protein, helping to perfectly balance out all those celebratory (or perhaps stress-induced) beers and cocktails you might be enjoying.
Imagine the scene: laughter, camaraderie, the thrill of the game, and in the midst of it all, a platter of this warm, bubbling French bread, each piece a hearty slice of pure comfort. The combination of rich creaminess from the dip, the subtle tang of artichokes, the earthy notes of spinach, and the savory chicken, all encased in a perfectly toasted French bread crust, is simply divine. It’s designed to be easily held and devoured, making it ideal for mingling and cheering without missing a single play. This is more than just a dish; it’s an experience, a centerpiece that brings people together and elevates any game day spread.
This recipe has everything you need to completely win over all your friends and family who will be stopping by for the start of the season next week. Even if you’re not passionately cheering for the Broncos, or any particular team, for that matter, you can still wholeheartedly dig into this delightful cheese and chicken madness. It’s universally appealing and undeniably delicious. The blend of mozzarella and parmesan cheeses creates a complex, savory base, while a hint of cayenne pepper adds just enough warmth to make each bite exciting without overpowering the other flavors. It’s truly a celebration of flavor and texture, all baked into one convenient, shareable loaf.
Tips for Perfecting Your Chicken Spinach & Artichoke Dip French Bread
- Choose Your Chicken Wisely: You can boil, bake, or pan-fry your boneless, skinless chicken breasts until fully cooked. For ultimate convenience and to save time, a pre-cooked rotisserie chicken works wonderfully – simply shred or chop it finely.
- Spinach Prep: Fresh spinach is highly recommended for the best flavor and vibrant texture. Ensure it’s thoroughly chopped so it blends seamlessly into the dip. If you opt for frozen spinach, be sure to thaw it completely and squeeze out all excess water to prevent a watery dip that could make your French bread soggy.
- Artichoke Hearts: Canned artichoke hearts are perfect for this recipe. Just like the spinach, drain them very well and chop them into manageable, bite-sized pieces. The artichokes add a fantastic tang and unique texture that elevates this dip from good to truly special.
- Cheese, Please! Don’t be shy with the cheese! The combination of mozzarella and parmesan creates a complex, savory profile and a fantastic melty, golden crust. Adding extra mozzarella on top before baking is key to achieving that irresistible bubbly, gooey finish that everyone loves.
- Flavor Boost: Garlic powder, onion powder, salt, black pepper, and a touch of cayenne pepper form the backbone of this dip’s incredible flavor profile. Feel free to adjust the cayenne to your heat preference – a little goes a long way to add a nice, subtle kick!
- The French Bread Base: A large, fresh loaf of French bread is absolutely essential. Slicing it lengthwise provides two sturdy, boat-like bases for your generous dip filling. The crusty exterior will hold up beautifully to the creamy mixture, while the soft interior absorbs all the delicious flavors.
- Baking and Broiling: Baking ensures the dip is heated through and becomes wonderfully gooey. However, for that perfect golden-brown, slightly crispy cheese topping, a quick minute or so under the broiler (set to High) at the end is crucial. Watch it very closely during this step to prevent burning, as broilers can work quickly!
This recipe is not only incredibly tasty but also remarkably easy to prepare, making it ideal for busy game days when you want maximum flavor with minimal fuss. You can even prepare the creamy dip mixture ahead of time, store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours, and then assemble it on the French bread right before baking. This simple trick can save you precious minutes when your guests arrive, allowing you more time to enjoy the festivities.
Chicken Spinach & Artichoke Dip French Bread
ingredients
- 2 skinless, boneless chicken breasts cooked and chopped
- 1 14 oz can of artichoke hearts drained and chopped
- 5 oz fresh spinach chopped
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese + more for topping
- 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1 large French bread loaf cut in half lengthwise
instructions
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Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit (200°C).
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In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked and chopped chicken, drained and chopped artichoke hearts, chopped fresh spinach, sour cream, mayonnaise, garlic powder, onion powder, 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese, grated parmesan cheese, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper. Stir all the ingredients together thoroughly until well combined and evenly distributed.
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Take your large French bread loaf, cut it in half lengthwise, and place both halves cut-side up on a baking sheet. Evenly spread the chicken artichoke dip mixture onto each half of the bread. Then, sprinkle approximately 1/4 cup of additional mozzarella cheese over the top of each bread half.
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Bake the French bread for 8 to 10 minutes in the preheated oven, or until the dip is thoroughly warmed through, bubbly, and gooey. For that perfect golden-brown, slightly crispy top, carefully transfer the baking sheet to under the broiler, set to High, for about one minute. Watch it closely to prevent burning!
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Once out of the oven, slice the French bread into individual portions and serve immediately while it’s still warm and the cheese is delightfully melted.
Join the Ultimate Game Day Food Extravaganza!
On a related note, I’m thrilled to not only bring you this football-worthy deliciousness but also to introduce you to an incredible lineup of recipes from some of my favorite blogging friends across the country – 64 of them, to be exact! We’re all representing our home teams with unique and mouth-watering recipes throughout the season. This collaborative effort means you’ll have an endless supply of game day inspiration for every week’s matchups.
So, once you’ve devoured your Chicken Spinach & Artichoke Dip French Bread, make sure you explore the entire roundup below to discover even more amazing tailgating snacks and dishes! From savory bites to sweet treats and refreshing cocktails, there’s something to satisfy every craving and celebrate every victory (or soften the blow of a defeat!).
Discover a world of flavors and find your next game-day obsession from this fantastic collection of recipes:
Salsa Verde by A Dish of Daily Life
Slow Cooker Sausage Corn Dip by A Joyfully Mad Kitchen
Grilled Jalapeno Poppers by A Mind Full Mom
Black Bottom Maple Pecan Pie Bars by An Oregon Cottage
Blackberry BBQ Sticky Wings by Around My Family Table
Roasted Garlic BBQ Chicken Wings Recipe by Bread Booze Bacon
Smoky Jalapeno Poppers by Brunch-n-Bites
Loaded Sweet Potato Nachos by Bucket List Tummy
Chicken Spinach & Artichoke Dip French Bread by Cake ‘n Knife
Cuban Sandwich Quesadillas by Casa de Crews
Grilled Asparagus Spears by Celebrating Family
Sea Bass Skewers + Blackbeard Cocktails by Culinary Adventures with Camilla
Buffalo Chicken Poppers by Dash of Herbs
Easy Chicken Roll Ups with Cream Cheese and Veggies by Family Food on the Table
Bottled Tailgate Cocktails by Feast + West
Loaded Guacamole by foodbyjonister
Cincinnati Nachos by Foodtastic Mom
Cajun Red Beans and Andouille Sausage Stuffed Mushrooms by For the Love of Food
Grilled Shrimp Pizza by Glisten and Grace
Mini Bell Pepper Nachos by Hello Little Home
Slow Cooker Sweet Spicy Meatballs by Honey & Birch
BBQ Chicken Wontons by Lauren’s Kitchen
Loaded Tailgate Tots by Life’s Ambrosia
Ricotta & Fig Bites by Living Well Kitchen
Nashville Hot Chicken Wings by Loaves & Dishes
Cincinnati Chili Dip by Love & Flour
{Slow Cooker} BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwiches by Love Bakes Good Cakes
Tailgate Bloody Marys by Loves Food, Loves to Eat
Sweet Korean Chicken Wings by Macheesmo
Bacon Wrapped Tater Tots by Me and My Pink Mixer
Crab Pretzels by Mom’s Messy Miracles
Hot Bacon Dip by Nik Snacks
Build Your Own Bloody Mary Bar by Off the Eaten Path
Chowder Stuffed Jalapeno Poppers by Order in the Kitchen
Old Fashioned Sweet by Peanut Blossom
Texas Toothpicks with Buttermilk Ranch by See Aimee Cook
Pretzel Turkey Meatballs (GF, DF, SF) by Shaws Simple Swaps
Hearty Beer Chili by Simple and Savory
Focaccia Pizza by Simplify, Live, Love
Sweet Potato Skins Stuffed with BBQ Ranch Pulled Pork by Sustaining the Powers
Bacon-Wrapped Cheeseburger Bites by The BakerMama
Buffalo Chicken Pasta Salad by The Creative Bite
German Potato Skins by The Crumby Cupcake
Old Bay Trail Mix by The Culinary Compass
Meat Lover’s Pizza Bites by The Life Jolie
Grilled Asian Chicken Wings & Shishito Peppers by The Secret Ingredient Is
Blackened Shrimp Tacos by The Speckled Palate
Honeydew Melon Refresher by Two Places at Once
Grilled Sauerkraut Stuffed Brats by West via Midwest
Sausage Apple and Sage Hand Pies by What A Girl Eats
Note: This post is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by the National Football League (NFL) or any of its teams. All opinions and views expressed on our blogs are our own, not that of the NFL and/or any of its 32 teams. Any team names, logos or other symbols referenced are properties of their respective organizations. We are just big fans — and we want to share our love for our teams, the game and the food that brings us all together on game day.
