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These Chicken Bacon Ranch Pull Apart Rolls are my answer for comfort food nights that bring everyone running to the table. Each roll packs juicy chicken, crisp bacon, and creamy Colby jack cheese inside soft potato rolls, brushed with herbed ranch butter and baked until golden. Whether you need a crowd pleasing snack for game day or a quick dinner that always disappears, these pull apart rolls deliver every time.
The first time I brought these to a neighborhood block party, the whole tray was gone in minutes. Now my kids beg for them at their sleepovers and no one believes how simple they are.
Ingredients
- Potato rolls: a super soft twelve pack like Martins ensures pillowy texture and makes pulling apart easy
- Thin sliced deli chicken or leftover cooked chicken: for savory protein in every bite
- Bacon: cooked crisp for smoky crunchy bursts pick thick cut for extra flavor
- Colby jack cheese: creamy melt with just the right bite always try for freshly sliced cheese from the deli
- Prepared ranch salad dressing: brings signature creamy tang use a quality refrigerated ranch if you can
- Butter: for a rich finish it melts with herbs and soaks every roll
- Fresh chives: brighten the whole tray with herby freshness always choose fresh over dried
- Garlic salt or garlic powder: adds bold savory notes pricier salts taste cleaner
- Onion powder: for subtle warmth and depth
- Grated parmesan cheese: tops the rolls with a nutty finish fresh grated offers best melt and flavor
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Preheat and Prep:
- Set your oven to three hundred fifty degrees Fahrenheit and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Cooking the bacon ahead of time until it is crisp is essential. Crumble it into bits for even distribution.
- Slice and Arrange:
- Using a serrated bread knife, carefully slice the entire pack of potato rolls through the middle horizontally. Arrange the bottoms evenly on the lined baking sheet and set the tops aside.
- Make Herb Butter:
- In a small saucepan on medium heat, melt the butter with chopped chives garlic salt and onion powder. Stir until everything smells fragrant and the butter is gently bubbling.
- Brush the Rolls:
- With a pastry brush, coat the bottom rolls with one third of the herb butter paying special attention to the edges and corners.
- Layer the Fillings:
- Lay down half the Colby Jack cheese slices fitting them edge to edge. Scatter shredded chicken evenly across the cheese then sprinkle all the cooked bacon on top for maximum flavor in every bite.
- Drizzle Ranch:
- Spoon prepared ranch dressing in an even layer over the fillings giving every roll a boost of creamy tang. Follow with the rest of the cheese slices layered on top.
- Add the Top Rolls:
- Brush the cut side of the top rolls with more herb butter then gently place them back over the cheese filled bottoms.
- Final Butter and Cheese:
- Brush the remaining herb butter over the tops and sides of the rolls then sprinkle generously with grated parmesan cheese across the whole tray.
- Bake Covered and Uncovered:
- Loosely tent the whole pan with foil and bake for twenty minutes so the cheese melts and everything heats through. Remove the foil and bake for five to ten minutes more until the tops look golden and crisp.
- Slice and Serve:
- Let the rolls rest for a minute. Use a sharp knife to cut them apart cleanly. These are best served hot with extra ranch for dipping if you like.
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Colby jack cheese is my family’s favorite for these rolls and the way it melts makes every bite extra stringy and fun. Once we made a double batch for a picnic and they were all gone before we got to the drinks table.
Storage Tips
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. For the best texture reheat the rolls in the oven wrapped in foil or pop a few in the air fryer to crisp up the tops again. If you need a quick snack the next day they microwave well too.
Ingredient Substitutions
Try swapping cooked turkey if you do not have chicken or use sharp cheddar or mozzarella in place of Colby jack. Gluten free rolls work great for anyone avoiding wheat and turkey bacon is a delicious lighter alternative.
Serving Suggestions
These rolls shine with chopped veggies and extra ranch for dipping as a party appetizer or with a crisp green salad for a fast dinner. My family loves them as after school snacks and they even work well on a weekend brunch spread.
Cultural Context
Pull apart rolls are a Southern classic found at gatherings and family parties. This version turns the iconic deli combo of chicken bacon ranch into a warm baked tray people cannot stop reaching for. The buttery chive topping is a secret trick passed down from Southern home cooks I have known.
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Recipe FAQs
- → Can these rolls be prepared in advance?
Yes, you can assemble the rolls a day ahead and chill them. Brush with butter and sprinkle cheese just before baking for best results.
- → What’s the ideal way to reheat leftovers?
Reheating in the oven or air fryer helps keep the tops crisp. Microwave works for convenience but softens the crust.
- → Can rotisserie chicken replace deli chicken slices?
Absolutely. Chopped rotisserie chicken adds extra moisture and flavor throughout the layers.
- → How to reduce saltiness in these rolls?
Choose lower sodium ranch, unsalted butter, and sample bacon before adding extra salt to balance seasoning.
- → Are there cheese alternatives that work well here?
Yes, Monterey Jack, cheddar, or mozzarella can replace Colby Jack depending on your preference.
- → What’s the purpose of the herb butter mixture?
The butter blended with chives, garlic salt, and onion powder adds rich, aromatic flavor and keeps rolls moist and savory.