Description
These Buffalo Chicken Mozzarella Sticks offer a spicy and cheesy snack that’s perfect for game day or a flavorful appetizer. Made with shredded chicken mixed with buffalo sauce and mozzarella, they’re coated in a crispy panko breadcrumb crust and pan-fried to golden perfection. Serve with blue cheese or ranch dipping sauces for an irresistible treat.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken Mixture
- 2 cups Shredded Chicken (store-bought rotisserie or freshly cooked and shredded)
- 1/2 cup Buffalo Sauce (adjust to your preferred spice level)
- 1 cup Mozzarella Cheese (fresh or low-moisture, shredded)
Breading Station
- 1 cup All-Purpose Flour
- 2 large Eggs (beaten)
- 1 cup Panko Breadcrumbs (for a light, crispy coating)
Frying
- 2 cups Cooking Oil (use oils with a high smoke point such as vegetable or canola oil)
Serving
- 1/2 cup Dipping Sauces (blue cheese or ranch recommended)
Instructions
- Prepare the chicken mixture: In a mixing bowl, combine the shredded chicken with buffalo sauce and grated mozzarella cheese, stirring well until all ingredients are evenly coated.
- Form the sticks: Scoop out portions of the chicken mixture and shape them into sticks approximately 3 inches long. Place the shaped sticks on a tray and freeze for at least 30 minutes to firm up.
- Set up the breading station: Arrange three shallow bowls: one with all-purpose flour, one with beaten eggs, and one with seasoned panko breadcrumbs ready for coating.
- Bread the sticks: Remove the frozen chicken sticks from the freezer, then coat each stick first in flour, dip into the beaten eggs, and finally roll in the panko breadcrumbs to ensure a thorough and crispy coating.
- Heat the oil: Pour enough cooking oil into a large frying pan to cover the bottom and heat over medium heat until hot but not smoking.
- Fry the sticks: Carefully add the breaded sticks into the hot oil in batches, frying each batch for 2 to 4 minutes until the exterior is golden brown and crispy. Avoid overcrowding the pan to maintain the oil temperature.
- Drain the excess oil: Using a slotted spoon, transfer the fried sticks onto a plate lined with paper towels to absorb the excess oil.
- Serve: Serve the Buffalo Chicken Mozzarella Sticks hot with your choice of blue cheese or ranch dipping sauces for a spicy and cheesy snack experience.
Notes
- Enjoy these Buffalo Chicken Mozzarella Sticks fresh for the best flavor and crispy texture.
- Feel free to experiment with different dipping sauces such as ranch, blue cheese, or a cooling garlic aioli.
- Freeze the shaped sticks before breading to help them hold their shape and prevent falling apart during frying.
- Use a thermometer to maintain the oil temperature around 350°F (175°C) for optimal frying results.
Keywords: Buffalo Chicken, Mozzarella Sticks, Spicy Snack, Appetizer, Fried Chicken, Crispy Coating