Cheesy Jalapeño Ranch Chicken Poppers with a Dip You’ll Love Recipe
Cheesy Jalapeño Ranch Chicken Poppers are crispy, flavorful bite-sized treats combining shredded chicken, cheddar cheese, and spicy jalapeños, coated in a crunchy breadcrumb crust and served with a creamy, zesty ranch dip. Perfect as an appetizer or snack, these poppers offer a delightful balance of heat, creaminess, and crispiness that will delight your taste buds.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: About 20 poppers 1x
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
For the Poppers
- 2 cups Shredded Chicken
- 1 cup Cheddar Cheese or pepper jack for extra kick
- 2 tablespoons Jalapeños, diced, seeds removed 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
For the Creamy Dip
- 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 well until all ingredients are evenly incorporated to form a flavorful filling.
- Form Poppers: Shape the mixture into bite-sized balls approximately 1 to 1.5 inches in diameter. Place the formed poppers on a tray and refrigerate for 15-20 minutes to firm up, making them easier to handle for breading.
- Set Up Breading Station: Prepare three shallow bowls: one with flour, one with beaten egg, and one with breadcrumbs. These will be used to coat the poppers for a crispy crust.
- Bread the Poppers: Roll each popper first in the flour, then dip into the egg, and finally coat with breadcrumbs. For extra crispiness, repeat the egg and breadcrumb coating step once more.
- Fry the Poppers: Heat oil in a deep skillet to 350°F (175°C). Fry the poppers in batches, cooking for 3-4 minutes on each side until they turn golden brown and develop a crispy exterior. Remove and drain on paper towels to remove excess oil.
- Prepare the Creamy Dip: In a separate bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, ranch dressing, garlic powder, lemon juice, chopped parsley, and red pepper flakes until smooth. Chill the dip in the refrigerator for at least 10 minutes to let flavors meld.
- Serve: Serve the hot Cheesy Jalapeño Ranch Chicken Poppers immediately with the chilled creamy dip alongside for dipping enjoyment.
Notes
- Chill the mixture before shaping to make handling and breading easier.
- Use a neutral oil with a high smoke point (such as canola or vegetable oil) for frying to avoid burning.
- Adjust the amount of jalapeños and red pepper flakes according to your spice preference.
- For a lighter option, substitute cream cheese with Greek yogurt and sour cream with Greek yogurt in the dip.
- Make sure the oil temperature stays consistent at 350°F to ensure crispy poppers without absorbing too much oil.
- Try gluten-free flour and breadcrumbs to make this recipe gluten-free.
Keywords: Cheesy Jalapeño Ranch Chicken Poppers, chicken appetizers, spicy chicken bites, crispy chicken poppers, ranch chicken snack, fried chicken balls
