BBQ Chicken Braid

Remember that no knead bread recipe that I (along with many others) posted a while back?  I have found so many uses for it, as a base for pizza, english muffin style, stuffed, dipped, for sandwiches.  I think I am going to have to go out and buy a designated bread rising container because I could use some of it pretty much every day, especially in Little Man's practically daily PB&J!  My sister has been reminding me that I need to make it as pizzas again (and take pictures this time) so that I can post about what a wonder it is to behold, but I'm not going to just yet.  Instead I'm going to share with you how awesome it was stuffed with BBQ Chicken. 

I can't recall where I first heard of such awesomeness, but if I were to take a wild stab in the dark I'd guess it was probably at a Pampered Chef party.  The recipe probably called for packaged biscuit dough.  Actually, now that I think of it that sounds spot on, I believe it actually called for croissant dough and was somehow shaped into a wreath.  I am certain that it called for several specific Pampered Chef kitchen tools in the recipe, which I always find rather amusing.  (I may mock, but I like a lot of their things.)

All that is besides the point.  You don't need any particular brand tool for this recipe or brand name ingredients for that matter.  This can be made from scratch or totally assembled from grocery store convenience products (or some happy middle ground, your call).  All you need to make it is some dough, cooked chicken, BBQ Sauce, shredded cheese and whatever veggies you think are calling out your name to be tossed into the mix. 

I am pretty sure that you really can't mess this one up.  Whether you decide to make it for a snack, an appetizer, or the entire meal, odds are that you and whomever you have joining you will be thoroughly satisfied.  Unless you don't like chicken.  Or BBQ sauce.  Or Cheese.  But if you didn't like those you probably wouldn't eat it in the first place, so those are kind of moot points.  Next time, I might add some bacon.  Or mushrooms.  Or a splash of Chipotle Tabasco.  Have you ever tried that stuff?  It is so good on pizza!  But now I'm off topic.  Just try it.  (I meant the Chicken Braid, but that could go for the Chipotle Tabasco also). 

BBQ Chicken Braid
Ingredients
Dough- package of croissant dough, 1/2 lb store bought pizza dough, or about 1/3 of the no knead bread recipe
1 cup your favorite BBQ sauce or more to taste
1 1/2 cups cooked chicken, shredded or chopped
1/2 red onion, sliced thin
1/2 bell pepper, chopped
2 cups shredded cheese- I used a combo of mozzarella and cheddar but you can use whatever you'd like

Instructions
Preheat oven to 400°F. 

On a piece of parchment paper, roll your chosen dough into a rectangle, roughly about 12" x 20".  Using either a pizza cutter or a sharp knife, cut into the dough a fringe of 4" x 1" strips over the two long  sides and the top of the rectangle.  Be careful not to completely remove them or disturb the middle portion of the dough. 

Transfer the parchment paper and dough onto a baking sheet.  Over the middle of the dough, spread the BBQ sauce and then top with the chicken, cheeses, and veggies.  The ratio of filling is completely up to you, if you want, top the filling with a little more BBQ sauce.

Starting at the top, begin to fold over strips of dough, alternating side to side, until you have braided down the entire length.  With the remaining ends of the dough strips, twist and tuck them under until the loaf is sealed.  Allow the entire thing to rest for about 10 minutes before baking for 20 minutes or until golden brown.  Allow to cool a few minutes before slicing.