These Cheesy Buffalo Chicken Croquettes are a delightful spin on a classic buffalo chicken dip recipe, and perfect for elevating your game day or Super Bowl party! These crispy and creamy croquettes combine the bold flavors of buffalo sauce, cream cheese and blue cheese crumbles, all rolled in panko breadcrumbs for a satisfying crunch.
Whether you’re hosting a crowd or just craving a savory snack, these easy-to-make croquettes are a TOUCHDOWN! Serve them up alongside your favorite dipping sauces, and get ready to score big with this crowd-pleaser! This recipe will yield approximately 18-20 chicken croquettes. Plan on at least two per guest.
What You Need to Make Buffalo Chicken Croquettes
Why You Should Try This Chicken Recipe
If you are tired of ordinary Buffalo Chicken Dip, here are a few reasons why you should try this amped up version of a favored game day snack:
- Irresistible Flavor: These chicken croquettes are the perfect blend of spicy buffalo sauce, creamy cream cheese and savory blue cheese crumbles in a crispy coating.
- Crunchy Texture: The panko-coated exterior ensures a satisfying and crispy texture that compliments the creamy interior.
- Easy and Quick Preparation: This recipe is simple to make, making it an ideal choice for your game day or Super Bowl parties.
- Crowd-Pleasing Appetizer: Stand out with a unique and crowd-pleasing appetizer that offers a fresh take on the traditional buffalo chicken dip. Your guests will keep coming back for more. So, make extra!
- Customizable Spice Level: Adjust the heat level and amount of buffalo sauce, to tailor the spice level, according to your taste preferences.
- Make-Ahead: Prepare the croquettes in advance, and fry just before serving.
Ingredients and Substitutions
- Canned Chicken: Can substitute with rotisserie chicken, or cook your own. May need to add a touch more wing sauce to ensure the croquettes are not too dry.
- Buffalo Wing Sauce: Based on your spice preference; use mild, medium or hot Buffalo wing sauce. As an alternative, combine melted butter and hot sauce.
- Cream Cheese: Greek yogurt is a great alternative.
- Blue Cheese Crumbles: Leave out, or try Feta cheese crumbles.
- Ranch Dressing: Easily substitute with blue cheese dressing
- Panko Breadcrumbs: Substitute with regular breadcrumbs or crushed cornflakes.
- Shredded Mozzarella Cheese: Easily substitute with cheddar.
How to Make Creamy Buffalo Chicken Croquettes
Although these Spicy Buffalo Chicken Bites require a few more steps in preparation as opposed to traditional buffalo chicken dip, the method is straightforward and ultimately, is a great addition to your party spread.
- Add the well drained canned chicken to a large bowl. Use a meat chopper or hand mixer to chop the chicken a little finer.
- Add in the buffalo wing sauce, softened cream cheese, blue cheese crumbles and ranch dressing.
- Mix well until all ingredients are evenly incorporated.
- Add in the shredded mozzarella and mix well to combine.
- Taste. Adjust the spice level according to your preference by adding more buffalo wing sauce, if desired.
- Use a cookie scoop, or your hands and take a small portion of the mixture and shape it into a round croquette.
- Roll the chicken croquette in the flour. Shaking off any excess.
- Place in the panko breadcrumbs. Coat evenly. Use your hands to press the breadcrumbs around the croquette.
- Continuing forming and coating until the chicken mixture is used up.
- In a deep pot, heat enough oil for deep frying over medium-high heat.
- Carefully place the croquettes in the hot oil and fry until golden brown on all sides. This should take about 2-3 minutes. For ease, and to ensure the oil stays to temp, fry in batches.
- Once the croquettes are crispy and golden, remove them from the oil and place them on a paper towel-lined plate to absorb any excess oil.
- Add to a platter and serve the Buffalo Chicken Croquettes with ranch and/or blue cheese dressing and celery sticks.
How to Store and Reheat Leftover Chicken Croquettes
Storage:
- Allow the croquettes to cool to room temperature.
- Place the croquettes in an airtight container or wrap in aluminum foil.
- Place in the fridge for up to 2-3 days.
Reheating:
- Oven Method:
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Place the croquettes on a baking sheet in a single layer or keep wrapped in tin foil.
- Bake for about 8-10 minutes, or until heated through and crispy.
- Air Fryer Method:
- Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C).
- Arrange the croquettes in a single layer in the air fryer basket.
- Air fry for 5-8 minutes, flipping halfway through, until they are heated and crisp.
- Monitor closely to prevent overcooking.
- Microwave Method:
- While this method may not maintain the crispiness as well, it’s a quick option.
- Place a damp paper towel on a microwave-safe plate and arrange the croquettes on top.
- Microwave in 30-second intervals until heated through.
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Cheesy Buffalo Chicken Croquettes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 8 to 10 servings 1x
Description
These Cheesy Buffalo Chicken Croquettes are a delightful spin on a classic buffalo chicken dip recipe, and perfect for elevating your game day or Super Bowl party! These crispy and creamy croquettes combine the bold flavors of buffalo sauce, cream cheese and blue cheese crumbles, all rolled in panko breadcrumbs for a satisfying crunch.
Ingredients
- 32-ounces canned chicken, drained well
- 1/2 cup buffalo wing sauce, plus
- 1/4 cup cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup blue cheese crumbles
- 2 tablespoons ranch dressing
- 4-ounces mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1/2 cup flour
- 1 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
- canola or vegetable oil for deep frying
- ranch and/or blue cheese dressing, for serving
- celery sticks, for serving
Instructions
- In a large bowl, add the well-drained canned chicken. Use a meat chopper or hand mixer to grind the chicken a little finer.
- Add in the buffalo wing sauce, softened cream cheese, blue cheese crumbles, and ranch dressing.
- Mix well until all ingredients are evenly incorporated.
- Add in the shredded mozzarella. Mix until combined.
- Taste. Adjust the spice level according to your preference by adding more buffalo wing sauce, if desired.
- Use a cookie scoop or your hands and take a small portion of the mixture and shape it into a round croquette.
- Roll the chicken croquette in the flour. Shaking off any excess.
- Place in the panko breadcrumbs. Coat evenly. Use your hands to press the breadcrumbs around the croquette.
- Continuing forming and coating until the chicken mixture is used up.
- In a deep skillet or pan, heat enough oil for deep frying over medium-high heat.
- Carefully place the croquettes in the hot oil and fry until golden brown on all sides. This should take about 2-3 minutes. For ease, and to ensure the oil stays to temp, fry in batches.
- Once the croquettes are crispy and golden, remove them from the oil and place them on a paper towel-lined plate to absorb any excess oil.
- Add to a platter and serve the Buffalo Chicken Croquettes with ranch and/or blue cheese dressing and celery sticks.
- ENJOY!
Notes
- Thoroughly drain canned chicken before incorporating it into the mixture; pat it dry with paper towels and give it a good chop.
- If the croquette mixture is too wet after combining all of the ingredients, add in a touch more shredded cheese.
- Use a 2 tablespoon or 3 tablespoon cookie scoop for measuring the chicken mixture to ensure even-sized croquettes (I used a 3 tablespoon scoop), and equal frying times.
- After rolling the mixture into balls, coat them in the flour prior to coating with the panko breadcrumbs. This step not only helps to ensure the panko breadcrumbs adhere better, but also avoids the risk of the croquettes falling apart while frying. Be sure to shake off any excess flour.
- Tailor the amount of buffalo wing sauce to your preferred spice level, ensuring the croquettes meet your desired level of heat. Feel free to use mild, medium or hot buffalo wing sauce.
- Consider chilling the mixture in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes before forming the croquettes. This helps the mixture firm up, making it easier to shape.
- If deep-frying, use a thermometer to ensure the oil reaches the proper temperature (around 350-375°F or 175-190°C) for golden and crispy croquettes.
- Fry a single croquette first to gauge cooking time; adjust if necessary before frying the rest.
- Fry in batches to ensure the oil stays to temperature.
- Serve the croquettes with a variety of dipping sauces, such as ranch and/or blue cheese dressing. Celery sticks are also a great compliment.
- I have not tried to air fry these chicken croquettes. If you so desire, heat the air fryer to 375°F (190°C). Spray the panko crusted croquettes with cooking spray and air fryer for about 10 minutes, turning at least once.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Party Food
- Method: Easy
- Cuisine: American
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WELCOME! My name is Melissa Latin aka. Charlotte Fashion Plate. Happy to meet you! I am more than just recipes. I love fashion and style too! Most importantly, I love my Family (my Hubby and my Fur Babies). My Husband (aka my “Kitchen Bitch”) means the world to me. He’s pretty damn cool too. Not only is he one of the nicest guys you will ever meet, he also has had a lengthy career in professional hockey. Not only winning two Stanley Cups with the Pittsburgh Penguins in the early ’90’s, but most recently winning the Calder Cup with the Charlotte Checkers, amongst many other accolades. If you live in Charlotte and play hockey, or have a family member who plays, be sure to contact him!
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