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A flaky dough exterior hugs juicy chicken, crunchy bacon bits, and stretchy cheese in this mouthwatering homemade take on Costco's beloved Chicken Bake. Every mouthful delivers a wonderful mix of tangy sauce, flavorful meats, and stretchy cheese, all tucked inside perfectly baked dough.
I tried so many times to copy this food court hit, and finally figured out that top-notch ingredients and the right wrapping method make all the difference. You can't beat fresh dough and well-flavored chicken for getting that authentic taste.
Key Components
- Ready-to-use pizza dough: Forms your wrapper - homemade or bought works fine, but make sure it's not cold from the fridge. I've found Trader Joe's dough gives amazing results with its perfect chew and taste.
- Pre-cooked rotisserie chicken: Brings the right softness and flavor, though any leftover chicken works too. Pull it apart while it's still warm for better mixing with other stuff.
- Fully cooked bacon: Gives that must-have smoky crunch. Cook until it's nice and done but not burnt black, then break into tiny bits so you taste it throughout.
- Real mozzarella cheese: Grate it yourself - the bagged kind has stuff that stops it from getting gooey. Let the cheese sit out a bit so it melts better in the oven.
- Real Parmesan cheese: Grab a chunk and grate it yourself instead of using the pre-done stuff, it adds tangy saltiness that makes everything taste better. It's drier too, which helps your crust get crispy.
Easy Cooking Method
- Get Your Dough Ready
- Start with room temp pizza dough and roll it out into a flat rectangle on a slightly floured counter. Try to keep the thickness the same everywhere so it'll cook evenly.
- Add Your Fillings
- Smear your sauce across the dough but leave a little space around the edges for closing it up. Scatter chicken and bacon bits evenly, then pile on the mozzarella. Make sure everything's spread out so each bite tastes just right.
- Wrap It Up
- From the longer side, roll everything up kind of like you're making sweet rolls. Press the edges and ends firmly to keep the good stuff inside while it bakes. Don't roll too tight or you'll tear the dough.
- Make It Pretty
- Rub the outside with some olive oil and sprinkle Parmesan on top. This gives you that nice golden outside when it bakes. Cut a few small openings on top so steam can escape.
- Cook Until Done
- Stick it in a hot 415°F oven until it turns deep golden brown. The high heat makes the outside crunchy while keeping everything inside moist and melty.
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Keeping Leftovers Fresh
Store any extra chicken bakes the right way to keep them tasting great. They'll stay good in the fridge for three days if you put them in a sealed container. For freezing, wrap each one in baking paper before putting them in freezer bags so they don't stick together.
Prep Ahead Ideas
Cook several chicken bakes at once and freeze them unbaked. Wrap them carefully and they'll keep for three months in the freezer. Just move them to the fridge overnight before you want to bake them, then follow the normal cooking steps.
Tasty Pairings
Make this a full dinner by adding a fresh Caesar salad or some oven-roasted veggies. The creamy sauce inside the chicken bake tastes extra good with something crisp and fresh on the side.
What started as my try at copying a food court classic has turned into my go-to for quick dinners and meal prep days. The mix of crunchy outside, melty cheese, and tasty filling shows that homemade can definitely beat the original version.
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Frequently Asked Questions
- → Is rotisserie chicken okay to use?
- Definitely! Grabbing a rotisserie chicken saves time and adds more flavor too.
- → Can I make these before I need them?
- You can put them together early and keep them in the fridge, but they taste best when they're freshly baked and still hot.
- → Which sauce comes closer to the original?
- The Costco version typically uses Caesar dressing, but many folks love how it tastes with Ranch too.
- → Will these work if I freeze them?
- They sure will! Freeze them unbaked, wrap them well, and they'll last about 3 months. Just don't forget to thaw before cooking.
- → Can I buy ready-made dough?
- For sure! Any pizza dough from the store works great, whether it's fresh or frozen.