Cheesy Jalapeño Ranch Chicken Poppers with a Dip You’ll Love Recipe
These Cheesy Jalapeño Ranch Chicken Poppers are crispy, flavorful bite-sized snacks packed with shredded chicken, cheddar cheese, and spicy jalapeños. Coated in a crunchy breadcrumb crust and served with a creamy, zesty ranch dip, they make for an irresistible appetizer or party treat.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: Approximately 20 poppers 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken Poppers
- 2 cups Shredded Chicken
- 1 cup Cheddar Cheese (or pepper jack for extra kick)
- 2 tablespoons Jalapeños (diced, remove seeds for less spice)
- 1 packet Ranch Seasoning
- 4 ounces Cream Cheese (or Greek yogurt for lighter option)
- 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder (adjust to taste)
- 1 teaspoon Smoked Paprika
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 1 teaspoon Pepper
- 1 cup Flour (gluten-free flour works too)
- 1 large Egg (beaten)
- 2 cups Breadcrumbs (gluten-free breadcrumbs if needed)
Ranch Dipping Sauce
- 1 cup Mayonnaise
- 1 cup Sour Cream (or Greek yogurt for healthier twist)
- 1 cup Ranch Dressing
- 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder (adjust according to taste)
- 1 tablespoon Lemon Juice (for freshness)
- 2 tablespoons Fresh Parsley (chopped)
- 1 teaspoon Red Pepper Flakes (for added spice)
Instructions
- Prepare the Filling: In a large bowl, combine shredded chicken, cheddar cheese, diced jalapeños, ranch seasoning, cream cheese, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are evenly incorporated to form the filling.
- Form Poppers: Shape the mixture into bite-sized balls approximately 1 to 1.5 inches in diameter. Arrange them on a tray and chill in the refrigerator for 15 to 20 minutes to firm up, making them easier to handle for coating.
- Set Up Coating Stations: Prepare three shallow bowls—one with flour, one with the beaten egg, and one with breadcrumbs. This setup will be used to bread the poppers.
- Bread the Poppers: Roll each chilled popper first in flour to lightly coat, then dip into the beaten egg, and finally coat thoroughly in breadcrumbs. For an extra crunchy crust, repeat the egg and breadcrumb coating once more.
- Heat the Oil: In a deep skillet, heat cooking oil to 350°F (175°C). This temperature ensures golden and crispy poppers without absorbing too much oil.
- Fry the Poppers: Fry the breaded poppers in batches, cooking each side for 3 to 4 minutes until they achieve a golden brown color and are crispy all around. Use a slotted spoon to transfer them to paper towels to drain excess oil.
- Prepare the Ranch Dip: In a separate bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, ranch dressing, garlic powder, lemon juice, chopped fresh parsley, and red pepper flakes. Chill the dip for at least 10 minutes before serving to blend the flavors.
- Serve: Enjoy the Cheesy Jalapeño Ranch Chicken Poppers warm, accompanied by the creamy ranch dipping sauce for a perfect balance of spicy and cool flavors.
Notes
- For less spice, remove seeds from jalapeños before dicing.
- Use gluten-free flour and breadcrumbs to make the recipe gluten-free.
- Substitute cream cheese with Greek yogurt for a lighter option.
- The dipping sauce can be prepared in advance and refrigerated for better flavor melding.
- Make sure oil temperature is maintained to avoid greasy poppers.
- For extra crispiness, double coat the poppers with egg and breadcrumbs.
Keywords: Cheesy chicken poppers, jalapeño chicken bites, ranch chicken poppers, crispy chicken appetizers, party snacks
