Buffalo Chicken Cheese Balls

Hurricane Irene last weekend was the perfect excuse we needed to stay in the house and relax  as a family.  We enjoyed each other's company of course but a fun weekend with my loves just wouldn't be right without delicious food. :)

I originally made these absolutely AMAZING buffalo chicken cheese balls as an appetizer for the Thanksgiving dinner I hosted at my house last year.  They were a HUGE hit and I knew I wanted to make them again.

They could NOT be easier to make and if you are a fan of buffalo style anything, you will love these. 

Recipe courtesy of Big Daddy's House via Food Network {just look at the reviews!!}

Ingredients

1 store-bought rotisserie chicken

1/4 cup hot sauce (recommended: Frank's Red Hot)

1 teaspoon ground black pepper

1 3/4 cups sharp Cheddar

1/4 cup freshly sliced scallions

1 cups all-purpose flour

3 eggs, lightly beaten

2 cups panko bread crumbs

Vegetable oil, for frying

 

{The original recipe calls for a rotisserie chicken but because we were in the middle of a weather emergency {!!!), my market was out of them.  ...so I had to improvise.  I took two skin on/bone in chicken breasts drizzled them with oil, seasoned with salt, pepper, oregano, seasoned salt, garlic powder, onion powder and paprika and roasted them on a cookie sheet at 400 degrees for about 15 - 20 minutes.  When they were golden brown and cooked through, I took them out and let cool.  I then pulled the meat off the bone and chopped into small pieces.}

{Before you begin, heat some oil in a fryer. We like to fry with peanut oil.  It's a bit more expensive, but it makes a BIG difference in taste.}  

{You need 3 separate bowls for an assembly line.  First: flour.} 

{Second: Eggs.} 

{Third: Panko bread crumbs.}

 {Next, shred your cheese.  I always use the block of sharp cheddar and shred it myself...not the bagged-already-shredded cheese.  I think it's fresher.}

{You'll need some good'ole bottled hot sauce.} 

{Chop up the green onions.} 

{Next, it's just dumping and mixing.  :) To a large bowl, add the chicken and then the hot sauce.} 

{Add the green onions.} 

{Your cheese goes in too.} 

{Mix everything until well combined.} 

{Grab about a palm-full of your chicken mixture and form into balls.  About the size of a golf ball.  Or a little smaller.  After shaping your ball, start breading.  First, roll it in the flour.} 

{And then in the egg.} 

{Finally in the breadcrumbs.} 

{Repeat until you have your breaded balls. :)}

{Now it's time to start frying.  Makes sure your oil is heated to 350 degrees before dropping your balls in.} 

 {Cook for about 2-3 minutes per batch, until they are beautifully golden brown.}

{Be sure to put them on paper towel to drain the excess oil.} 

{They will be super cheesy and delicious with tons of flavor and plenty of kick!} 

{Serve with your favorite blue cheese dressing and ENJOY!}

We enjoyed ours as dinner with savory sauteed green beans {I'll have to share that recipe soon; so very easy and so very GOOD} and sliced cantaloupe.

These would also be perfect for a cocktail party; they are sure to be a crowd pleaser!

Let me know if you plan to try these! :)