Cheesy Jalapeño Ranch Chicken Poppers Recipe

Introduction

Cheesy Jalapeño Ranch Chicken Poppers are a deliciously spicy and creamy snack perfect for game day or parties. These bite-sized treats combine shredded chicken, sharp cheddar, and jalapeños, coated in a crispy breadcrumb crust and served with a tangy ranch dip.

Ingredients

• 2 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded or finely chopped
• 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
• 1–2 jalapeños, diced (seeded for less heat)
• 2 tbsp ranch seasoning
• 1/4 cup cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp smoked paprika (optional)
• Salt & black pepper to taste
• 1 cup flour
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 1.5 cups breadcrumbs or panko
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan (optional)
• Neutral oil (canola, vegetable, or peanut), for deep frying
• 1/2 cup mayo
• 1/4 cup sour cream
• 1 tbsp ranch dressing or seasoning
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp lemon juice or white vinegar
• 1 tbsp chopped parsley
• Red pepper flakes, to taste
• Salt & pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a bowl, mix the cooked chicken, shredded cheddar cheese, diced jalapeños, ranch seasoning, softened cream cheese, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper until well combined.
2. Step 2: Shape the mixture into bite-sized balls and place them in the refrigerator to chill for 15–20 minutes. This helps them hold their shape during frying.
3. Step 3: Prepare your breading station with three separate bowls: one with flour, one with beaten eggs, and one with breadcrumbs mixed with grated Parmesan if using.
4. Step 4: Coat each chicken ball first in flour, then dip it into the beaten eggs, and finally roll it in the breadcrumb mixture. For extra crunch, double coat by repeating the egg and breadcrumb steps.
5. Step 5: Heat neutral oil in a deep fryer or large pot to 350°F (175°C). Fry the poppers in batches for about 3–4 minutes per side, or until they are golden brown and crisp.
6. Step 6: Remove the poppers with a slotted spoon and drain them on a wire rack or paper towels to remove excess oil. Let them cool slightly before serving.
7. Step 7: To make the dip, combine mayo, sour cream, ranch dressing or seasoning, garlic powder, lemon juice or vinegar, chopped parsley, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Mix well and chill until ready to serve.
8. Step 8: Serve the hot chicken poppers with the creamy ranch dip on the side for dipping.

Tips & Variations

• For milder poppers, remove all the seeds from the jalapeños before adding them to the mixture.
• Try using smoked cheddar for a deeper flavor twist.
• Swap the ranch seasoning for your favorite spice blend like Cajun or taco seasoning for a different flavor profile.
• Oven-bake the poppers at 400°F (200°C) for about 15-20 minutes, turning halfway, for a lighter version.
• Add finely chopped green onions or cilantro to the filling for extra freshness.

Storage

Store leftover chicken poppers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, bake them in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for 8-10 minutes to restore their crispiness. Avoid microwaving as it may make them soggy. The dip can be stored separately in the fridge for up to 4 days.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make these poppers ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare and bread the poppers in advance and store them in the fridge for a few hours before frying. For longer storage, freeze the breaded poppers on a tray, then transfer to a freezer bag for up to 1 month. Fry them straight from frozen, adding extra cooking time.

What can I use instead of ranch seasoning?

If you don’t have ranch seasoning, you can use a combination of dried dill, garlic powder, onion powder, parsley, salt, and pepper to mimic the flavor. Alternatively, any favorite seasoning blend like taco or Cajun seasoning works well too.

Cheesy Jalapeño Ranch Chicken Poppers Recipe

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★★★★★

4.7 from 146 reviews

Cheesy Jalapeño Ranch Chicken Poppers are crispy, flavorful bite-sized snacks made from shredded chicken mixed with sharp cheddar, jalapeños, and ranch seasoning, coated in breadcrumbs, and deep-fried to golden perfection. Served with a creamy and tangy ranch dip, these poppers are perfect for parties or a satisfying appetizer.

• Author: Cleo
• 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 1x2x3x

Chicken Poppers

• 2 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded or finely chopped
• 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
• 1–2 jalapeños, diced (seeded for less heat)
• 2 tbsp ranch seasoning
• 1/4 cup cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp smoked paprika (optional)
• Salt & black pepper to taste
• 1 cup flour
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 1.5 cups breadcrumbs or panko
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
• Neutral oil (canola, vegetable, or peanut), for deep frying

Dip

• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 1/4 cup sour cream
• 1 tbsp ranch dressing or ranch seasoning
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp lemon juice or white vinegar
• 1 tbsp chopped parsley
• Red pepper flakes, to taste
• Salt & pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Mix the Filling: In a bowl, combine the shredded chicken, sharp cheddar cheese, diced jalapeños, ranch seasoning, softened cream cheese, garlic powder, smoked paprika if using, salt, and black pepper. Mix well until all ingredients are evenly incorporated.
2. Shape Poppers: Form the mixture into bite-sized balls, roughly 1 to 1.5 inches in diameter. Place them on a tray or plate and chill in the refrigerator for 15 to 20 minutes to help them firm up.
3. Set Up Breading Station: Prepare three separate bowls: one with flour, one with beaten eggs, and one with breadcrumbs mixed with grated Parmesan if using. This will facilitate an easy and efficient breading process.
4. Bread the Poppers: Take each ball and first coat it thoroughly in the flour, then dip it into the beaten eggs, and finally roll it in the breadcrumb mixture until fully coated. For a crunchier texture, you can double-coat by repeating the egg and breadcrumb steps.
5. Fry the Poppers: Heat neutral oil in a deep frying pan or deep fryer to 350°F (175°C). Fry the poppers in batches, turning occasionally, for approximately 3 to 4 minutes per side or until they are golden brown and crispy on the outside.
6. Drain: Using a slotted spoon, transfer the fried poppers to a wire rack or to paper towels to drain excess oil. Let them cool slightly before serving to ensure they hold their shape and texture.
7. Make the Dip: In a bowl, mix together mayonnaise, sour cream, ranch dressing or seasoning, garlic powder, lemon juice or vinegar, chopped parsley, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Stir until smooth and chill in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
8. Serve: Serve the hot and crispy chicken poppers alongside the creamy ranch dip for a delicious contrast of flavors and textures. Enjoy immediately for best taste.

Notes

• You can adjust the number of jalapeños or remove seeds to control the spice level.
• For extra crispiness, double coat the poppers with egg and breadcrumbs.
• Use panko breadcrumbs for a lighter, crunchier coating.
• Ensure oil temperature is maintained at 350°F (175°C) for even frying and to avoid greasy poppers.
• Reheat leftover poppers in an oven or air fryer to retain crunchiness instead of microwaving.
• If cream cheese is too soft, chilling the filling mixture longer will help with shaping.

Keywords: chicken poppers, jalapeño poppers, cheesy appetizers, ranch chicken poppers, deep fried snacks