Buffalo Chicken Mozzarella Sticks for Spicy Snack Lovers Recipe
Delight in these crispy, spicy Buffalo Chicken Mozzarella Sticks that combine tender shredded chicken coated in tangy buffalo sauce with gooey mozzarella cheese, all encased in a crunchy panko crust. Perfect as a flavorful appetizer or snack, these sticks offer a satisfying blend of heat and cheesiness.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken Mixture
- 2 cups shredded chicken (store-bought rotisserie or freshly cooked and shredded)
- 1/2 cup buffalo sauce (adjust spice level to taste)
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese (fresh or low-moisture, grated)
Breading Station
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs (beaten)
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs (seasoned if desired)
Frying
- 2 cups cooking oil (with a high smoke point, such as vegetable or canola oil)
Serving
- 1/2 cup dipping sauces (blue cheese or ranch recommended)
Instructions
- Mix Chicken and Cheese: In a mixing bowl, combine the shredded chicken with buffalo sauce and grated mozzarella cheese, stirring well until the mixture is evenly coated.
- Shape and Freeze: Scoop out portions of the chicken mixture and shape them into sticks approximately 3 inches long. Place them on a tray and freeze for at least 30 minutes to firm up before breading.
- Prepare Breading Station: Set up three shallow bowls—one with all-purpose flour, one with the beaten eggs, and one with panko breadcrumbs.
- Bread the Sticks: Remove the frozen chicken sticks from the freezer. Coat each stick first in flour, then dip into the beaten eggs, and finally roll in panko breadcrumbs until thoroughly coated.
- Heat Oil: Pour about 2 cups of 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. Fry each batch for 2 to 4 minutes, turning as needed, until golden brown and crispy on all sides.
- Drain Excess Oil: Transfer the fried sticks onto a plate lined with paper towels to drain any excess oil and keep them crisp.
- Serve: Serve immediately with your choice of dipping sauces like blue cheese or ranch for a spicy, cheesy snack experience.
Notes
- Enjoy these Buffalo Chicken Mozzarella Sticks fresh for optimal flavor and crispiness.
- Feel free to experiment with different dipping sauces to complement the spicy buffalo flavor.
- Freezing the shaped sticks before breading helps maintain their shape during frying and ensures the cheese does not melt out prematurely.
- Use oils with high smoke points to maintain frying temperature and avoid burnt flavors.
Keywords: Buffalo chicken sticks, mozzarella sticks, spicy snack, fried appetizer, buffalo sauce, chicken appetizer