Buffalo Cheesy Chicken Poppers
These Buffalo Cheesy Chicken Poppers are the ultimate game-day snack, combining the creaminess of mashed potatoes with a spicy, savory chicken filling that will have your taste buds dancing. Coated in a crunchy layer of cheesy Doritos and fried to crispy perfection, each popper delivers a burst of flavor in every bite. Perfect for sharing or enjoying on your own, these bite-sized delights are served with a tangy ranch dipping sauce and a drizzle of sriracha, making them a surefire hit at any gathering.
N/A
Servings
133
Calories
16
Ingredients
Ingredients
russet potato
1 lb (peeled and diced)
unsalted butter
4 tablespoons (softened)
whole milk
1/4 cup (room temperature)
salt
1 teaspoon (to taste)
black pepper
1/2 teaspoon (to taste)
garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon (to taste)
shredded chicken
1 cup (cooked)
buffalo sauce
1/2 cup (your favorite brand)
scallions
2 (sliced)
shredded cheese
1/2 cup (cheddar or your choice)
flour
1/2 cup (for dredging)
large egg
1 (beaten)
nacho cheese tortilla chips
2 1/8 ounces (finely crushed)
vegetable oil
4 cups (for frying)
Asian chili sauce
1/4 cup (such as Sriracha)
ranch dressing
1 cup (for serving)
Instructions
1
In a large saucepan, place the diced russet potatoes and cover them with water. Bring to a vigorous boil over medium-high heat and cook for 15 to 20 minutes until fork-tender. Drain the potatoes thoroughly and return them to the pot.
2
Add the unsalted butter, whole milk, salt, black pepper, and garlic powder to the potatoes. Mash until smooth and creamy, then set aside to cool to room temperature.
3
In a separate mixing bowl, combine the shredded chicken, buffalo sauce, sliced scallions, and shredded cheese. Mix well to ensure all ingredients are evenly coated with the sauce, then set aside.
4
Once the mashed potatoes have cooled, use a 1/4 cup measuring cup to scoop portions of the potato mixture into your palm. Flatten each portion slightly, adding about 2 teaspoons of the chicken mixture into the center. Carefully wrap the potato around the filling, shaping it into a ball. Place each ball onto a parchment-lined baking sheet and repeat until all are formed. Freeze the balls for about 20 minutes to set.
5
Prepare the dredging stations: place the flour in a shallow dish, beat the egg in a second shallow dish, and pour the crushed Doritos into a third shallow dish.
6
Once the potato balls are firm, heat the vegetable oil in a large pot until it reaches 360 degrees F. For optimal frying, do this in batches: dip each ball in the flour, shaking off any excess, then coat with the beaten egg, and finally, roll them in crushed Doritos until evenly coated.
7
Carefully add a few coated potato balls to the hot oil, frying in batches for 2 to 3 minutes, or until golden brown all over. Use a slotted spoon to remove them from the oil and place on a plate lined with paper towels to drain excess oil.
8
To serve, drizzle sriracha in the pattern of a basketball on top of the poppers and serve with a generous side of ranch dressing for dipping. Enjoy!
Nutrition Information
8g
Fat
10g
Carbs
5g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Buffalo Cheesy Chicken Poppers?
Buffalo Cheesy Chicken Poppers are a savory snack made from mashed potato shells filled with a buffalo chicken and cheese mixture, coated in crushed Doritos, and deep-fried until crispy.
What type of potatoes are best for this recipe?
The recipe calls for russet potatoes, as their high starch content makes for a fluffy mash that holds its shape well when formed into balls.
How long should I boil the potatoes?
You should boil the diced potatoes for 15 to 20 minutes until they are fork-tender.
What ingredients go into the mashed potato base?
The mashed potato base includes russet potatoes, unsalted butter, whole milk, salt, black pepper, and garlic powder.
How is the chicken filling prepared?
Combine 1 cup of shredded cooked chicken with 1/2 cup of buffalo sauce, 2 sliced scallions, and 1/2 cup of shredded cheese.
Can I use any type of shredded cheese?
Yes, while cheddar is recommended, you can use any cheese of your choice that melts well.
How do I assemble the chicken poppers?
Scoop 1/4 cup of mashed potatoes, flatten it, place 2 teaspoons of chicken filling in the center, and wrap the potato around the filling to form a ball.
Why do the poppers need to be frozen before frying?
Freezing the formed potato balls for about 20 minutes helps them set and prevents them from falling apart during the dredging and frying process.
What is the coating for these poppers?
The poppers are coated in a crunchy layer of finely crushed nacho cheese tortilla chips (Doritos).
What is the correct dredging order?
First dip the potato ball in flour, then in the beaten egg, and finally roll it in the crushed tortilla chips.
What temperature should the frying oil be?
The vegetable oil should be heated to 360 degrees F for optimal frying.
How long do the poppers take to fry?
They should be fried in batches for 2 to 3 minutes, or until they are golden brown all over.
What is the best way to drain the excess oil?
Use a slotted spoon to remove the poppers from the oil and place them on a plate lined with paper towels.
How are the poppers decorated?
The recipe suggests drizzling sriracha in a basketball-like pattern on top of each popper for a festive presentation.
What dipping sauce is recommended?
They are best served with a generous side of ranch dressing for dipping.
How many calories are in one popper?
Each popper contains approximately 133 calories.
What is the fat content per popper?
There are about 8 grams of fat in each chicken popper.
How many grams of protein are in each serving?
Each popper provides about 5 grams of protein.
Can I use a different type of chip for the coating?
Yes, while nacho cheese chips provide great flavor, you could use plain corn chips or even Panko breadcrumbs if preferred.
What is the 'Asian chili sauce' mentioned in the ingredients?
The recipe recommends using Sriracha for the drizzle on top.
Can I air fry these instead of deep frying?
While the recipe specifies deep frying for crispy results, you can air fry them at 375 degrees F for 8-10 minutes, though the texture may vary.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 16 total ingredients including the dipping sauces and frying oil.
Is it okay to use cold mashed potatoes?
Yes, the mashed potatoes should be cooled to at least room temperature before forming the balls to ensure they are easy to handle.
Can I prepare the potato balls a day in advance?
Yes, you can form the balls and keep them refrigerated overnight before dredging and frying them the next day.
What kind of chicken should I use?
Any cooked shredded chicken works well; rotisserie chicken is a great time-saving option.
How many poppers does 1 lb of potatoes make?
Using a 1/4 cup scoop for each ball, 1 lb of potatoes typically makes approximately 8 to 10 poppers.
Is the buffalo sauce spicy?
The spice level depends on the brand of buffalo sauce you choose; you can select a mild or hot version based on your preference.
Can I use milk alternatives for the mashed potatoes?
Yes, you can use heavy cream for extra richness or a neutral unsweetened plant-based milk, though it may slightly change the flavor.
What tags define this recipe?
This recipe is categorized under appetizers, snacks, buffalo chicken, game day, and party food.
Can I bake these in the oven?
Yes, you can bake them at 400 degrees F for 15-20 minutes, though they will not be as crunchy as the fried version.