Buffalo Chicken Poppers Recipe:
Ingredients:
For the Buffalo Chicken Mixture:
- 2 lbs chicken, cooked and shredded
- 1 cup Frank’s Red Hot Buffalo Sauce
- 1 cup ranch dressing
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1.5 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1.5 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 8 oz cream cheese
- 1 scoop sour cream
For Coating:
- All-purpose flour
- Eggs (beaten)
- Seasoned panko breadcrumbs
Instructions:
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the shredded chicken, Frank’s Red Hot Buffalo Sauce, ranch dressing, garlic powder, black pepper, mozzarella cheese, sharp cheddar cheese, cream cheese, and sour cream. Mix until well combined.
- Form the buffalo chicken mixture into bite-sized balls and place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Place the baking sheet in the freezer and let the buffalo chicken balls firm up for a few hours.
- In three separate bowls, set up a breading station. Place flour in one bowl, beaten eggs in another, and seasoned panko breadcrumbs in the third.
- Take the buffalo chicken balls out of the freezer and roll each ball first in the flour, then dip it in the beaten eggs, and finally coat it in the seasoned panko breadcrumbs.
- Place the coated buffalo chicken poppers back on the parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Bake the buffalo chicken poppers in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes or until they are golden brown and crispy.
- Serve the buffalo chicken poppers with your favorite dipping sauce, such as additional ranch or blue cheese dressing.
Enjoy your delicious Buffalo Chicken Poppers!
To ensure your Buffalo Chicken Poppers turn out delicious and perfect, here are some tips to keep in mind:
- Prep Work:
- Make sure your chicken is thoroughly cooked and shredded before adding it to the mixture.
- Soften the cream cheese before adding it to the mixture, as it will mix more evenly.
- Consistent Size:
- Try to make the buffalo chicken balls as uniform in size as possible to ensure even cooking.
- Freezing Time:
- Allow sufficient time for the buffalo chicken balls to firm up in the freezer. This step helps the poppers hold their shape during the coating process.
- Breading Station:
- Set up your breading station in an organized manner to streamline the coating process. This will help keep things tidy and efficient.
- Coating Techniques:
- When coating the buffalo chicken poppers, use one hand for dry ingredients (flour and breadcrumbs) and the other for wet ingredients (egg). This helps prevent clumping and makes the coating process smoother.
- Double Coating:
- For an extra crispy exterior, consider doing a double coating. After the first coating and freezing, repeat the flour-egg-breadcrumbs process for a second layer.
- Baking Temperature:
- Preheat the oven properly to 375°F (190°C) before baking the poppers. This ensures they cook evenly and achieve a crispy texture.
- Baking Time:
- Keep an eye on the poppers while baking to prevent overcooking. Bake until they are golden brown and crispy, usually around 15-20 minutes.
- Serve Hot:
- Serve the Buffalo Chicken Poppers immediately for the best taste and texture. They are most enjoyable when hot and fresh out of the oven.
- Dipping Sauces:
- Consider serving the poppers with a variety of dipping sauces like extra ranch, blue cheese dressing, or even a cool cucumber yogurt dip to balance the heat.
- Experiment with Spices:
- Feel free to experiment with additional spices or herbs in the coating mixture to add extra flavor and personal flair to your poppers.
Remember, cooking is an art, and these tips are meant to guide you. Feel free to customize the recipe and techniques based on your preferences and creativity. Enjoy your Buffalo Chicken Poppers