Description
These Buffalo Chicken Mozzarella Sticks make for a spicy, crispy snack perfect for game days or casual gatherings. Shredded chicken is mixed with spicy buffalo sauce and gooey mozzarella, then breaded and fried until golden brown for a deliciously satisfying bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Buffalo Chicken Mixture
- 2 cups Shredded Chicken (Use store-bought rotisserie chicken or cook and shred fresh chicken.)
- 1/2 cup Buffalo Sauce (Adjust to your preferred spice level.)
- 1 cup Mozzarella Cheese (Fresh or low-moisture mozzarella works best.)
Breading
- 1 cup All-Purpose Flour (This forms the first layer of breading.)
- 2 large Eggs (Essential for binding the breadcrumbs.)
- 1 cup Panko Breadcrumbs (Preferred for a light, crispy coat.)
For Frying and Serving
- 2 cups Cooking Oil (Use oils with a high smoke point.)
- 1/2 cup Dipping Sauces (Serve with blue cheese or ranch.)
Instructions
- Prepare the Buffalo Chicken Mixture: In a mixing bowl, combine the shredded chicken with buffalo sauce and grated mozzarella cheese, stirring well until evenly coated.
- Shape and Freeze: Scoop out portions of the chicken mixture and shape them into sticks about 3 inches long. Arrange them on a plate or tray and freeze for at least 30 minutes to firm up.
- Set Up Breading Station: Prepare three shallow bowls—one with all-purpose flour, one with beaten eggs, and one with seasoned panko breadcrumbs for a crispy coating.
- Bread the Sticks: Remove the frozen chicken sticks from the freezer. Coat each stick first in the flour, then dip into the beaten eggs, and finally roll in the panko breadcrumbs to fully cover.
- Heat the Oil: In a large frying pan, pour enough cooking oil to cover the bottom and heat it over medium heat until hot but not smoking.
- Fry the Chicken Sticks: Carefully add the breaded sticks to the hot oil in batches. Fry them for 2 to 4 minutes, turning occasionally, until they are golden brown and crispy on all sides.
- Drain Excess Oil: Remove the fried sticks with a slotted spoon and transfer to a plate lined with paper towels to absorb excess oil.
- Serve: Serve hot with your choice of dipping sauces such as blue cheese or ranch for a spicy and savory snack.
Notes
- Freezing the formed sticks before breading helps maintain their shape while frying.
- Panko breadcrumbs give a crispier texture compared to regular breadcrumbs.
- Adjust the amount of buffalo sauce depending on your preferred spice level.
- Use oils with a high smoke point like vegetable or canola oil for frying.
- Make sure the oil is hot enough to crisp the coating without absorbing too much oil.
- These sticks are best enjoyed fresh but can be reheated in an air fryer for crispiness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Snack
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Buffalo chicken, mozzarella sticks, spicy snack, fried appetizer, game day recipe, crispy chicken sticks
