Green Chile Cheese Bread

History of Cheese Bread

Forever, it seems, people have been putting cheese on bread. There are references to recipes that feature cheese with bread dating back to ancient Romans and even before. Cheese bread like this is actually a modern-day version of the precursor to pizza, believe it or not.

In the 6th century BC, Persian soldiers baked flatbreads with cheese and dates on top of their battle shields. Ancient Greeks made a flat bread flavored with toppings like herbs, onion, cheese, and garlic. So as you can see, bread with toppings has been around for centuries. It’s one of the oldest forms of food. This topping of bread is what led to pizza, but for our dish today, we’re stopping at the bread portion of the timeline to create this green chili cheese bread.

Green Chile Cheese Bread

This recipe is incredibly easy and an instant classic when you add it to your recipe collection. Think of it as a sort of open face grilled cheese. It’s layered with three different cheeses, green chilies, and garlic all placed on top of slices of ciabatta or French bread. What it creates is a cheesy slice of bread that crispy on the outside and soft, warm, and doughy on the inside. Every bite explodes with flavor and texture, making for one of the easiest and yet most interesting appetizers you’ll make.

I used three different cheese in this recipe, but that’s definitely open to interpretation. So is the kind of bread you use. It really is up to you how you want to style these cheese bread slices, but I highly recommend following the recipe for the first time out.

Tips

While this is an exceptionally easy recipe, there are a few things to remember when making it. The tips below will help ensure that you make the absolute best cheese bread possible. Don’t worry, even if you “flub” it in some way – which is highly unlikely – you’ll find that it’s still absolutely delicious.

Soften the Butter

It’s important to soften your butter before mixing in the garlic and diced green chilies. Let your butter come to room temperature before mixing. This allows the butter, garlic, and chilies to be mixed together fully, so you don’t get any lumps or parts of butter spread that don’t have any flavor.

Keep an Eye on Your Bread

Pay close attention to your cheese bread after you’ve placed it under the broiler. It only takes a few minutes to melt the cheese. Any longer than that, and you’ll just be burning your bread. You don’t want that!

Variations

I used three different kinds of cheese and either ciabatta or French bread for this green chili cheese bread recipe, but that’s just my preference. With a recipe like this, you can mix things up to make it exactly the way you want it. It only takes a couple of changes to make an entirely new cheese bread variation.

Try Different Cheeses

I used mozzarella, pepper jack, and cheddar cheese for this cheese bread, but any cheese will work well. Choose whatever type of cheese speaks to you. Some excellent choices for a cheese bread like this include:

• Sharp cheddar
• Provolone
• Monterey Jack
• Colby Jack
• Mexican Cheese Blend
• Taco Cheese Blend

Try Different Bread

I enjoy the texture and flavor of ciabatta or French bread for this recipe, but again, you can feel free to use any bread you like. That’s one of the great things about this recipe. Simple tweaks can change up the entire feel. While you can feel free to experiment with any bread, I recommend the following:

• Ciabatta Bread
• French Bread
• Italian Bread
• Baguettes (for cheese bread medallions)

Of course, there are so many kinds of bread out there, the possibilities are endless.

Serving Green Chile Cheese Bread

Cheese bread this good doesn’t need anything to go with it. That being said, just because you don’t need something doesn’t mean you don’t want something. I prefer to eat this cheese bread on its own, but I have family and friends who enjoy dipping it in some kind of sauce. So far, everyone seems to enjoy it with the following dips.

• Ranch
• Marinara Sauce
• Tzatziki Sauce
• Salsa Verde

Storing Green Chile Cheese Bread

You can store this cheese bread in the refrigerator for up to three days. Be aware that the bread is best enjoyed on the day it’s made. Over time the bread can become soggy or dry out if you aren’t careful. It’s still edible, but it’s not nearly as good.

For longer storage, you can also freeze this cheese bread. Wrap each piece tightly in plastic wrap and then again in foil. The bread will last for up to three months like this.

Ingredients to Make Green Chile Cheese Bread

• Butter
• Garlic
• Diced green chilies
• Ciabatta or French bread loaf
• Mozzarella cheese
• Pepper jack cheese
• Cheddar cheese

(Actual measurements are listed in the recipe card below.)

How to Make Green Chile Cheese Bread

• Preheat oven to 375°.
• In a small bowl, mix butter, garlic, and diced green chilies together until well combined.
• Spread butter mixture on each half of bread loaf.
• Place on a baking sheet and bake for 9-10 minutes.
• Remove from oven, top with shredded cheese, and turn oven to broil.
• Place bread back into the oven for 1-2 minutes or until the cheese is melted and slightly browned.
• Serve immediately.

Try This Delicious Cheese Bread Recipe Today

This green chile cheese bread is easy to make and so full of flavor, you just have to try it. With a recipe this simple and delicious, there’s no reason not to. And when you add in the fact that it’s perfect for everything from weeknight snacks to potlucks and everything in between, you quickly discover that you have a real winner on your hands with this one.

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