appetizer essentials: cheesy/spicy chicken orbs
Made these up the other evening/morning. Just some really good spices, really good cheeses, and shredded chicken. Then either pan fry, bake, or air fry. They are delicate, and it takes a bit of practice to keep them from falling apart; however, once you master the technique you have a great appetizer for Sunday night football, or whenever you have the craving. So, you ready… Let’s get into the kitchen.
yield
serving(s)
prep time
30 Min
cook time
15 Min
method
Deep Fry
Ingredients For appetizer essentials: cheesy/spicy chicken orbs
- PLAN/PURCHASE
- THE CHICKEN ORBS
- STAGE I
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1/4 csour cream
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2 ozcream cheese, softened
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2 Tbspsweet butter, unsalted, softened
- STAGE II
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1 tsplemon pepper spice
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1/4 tsppaprika, mild, or hot, but not smoked
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1/4 tspancho chili powder
- STAGE III
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1/4 cpepper jack cheese, shredded
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2 Tbspparmesan cheese, grated
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1 Tbspdehydrated onions, crushed
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2 lgjalapenos, seeded and minced
- STAGE IV
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10 ozcooked chicken, shredded and minced
- THE BREADING
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2 lgeggs
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1 Tbspwhole milk
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1 cflour, all-purpose variety
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1 cbreadcrumbs, regular, not panko
- ADDITIONAL ITEMS
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grapeseed oil, or other non-flavored version, if deep frying
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salt, kosher variety, as needed
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black pepper, freshly ground, as needed
How To Make appetizer essentials: cheesy/spicy chicken orbs
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1PREP/PREPARE
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2The trick to keeping these together when cooking is having the right consistency to the orbs. You do not want something too dense; however, if you do not mix them enough, they will fall apart. I solved that problem by mixing the ingredients in four stages. Some similar recipes suggest putting all the ingredients into a food processor but resist that temptation. The heavy-duty mixing will make the orbs too dense. We are going to use a combination of whisking, and a chef’s best tools… your two hands.
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3Gather your ingredients (mise en place).
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4In a large mixing bowl whisk in the STAGE I ingredients.
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5Add STAGE II and mix to combine.
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6Combine in the STAGE III ingredients.
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7For STAGE IV use your hands to mix the chicken in with the other ingredients.
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8THE BREADING
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9Whisk the eggs with the milk, then put into a breading pan, or shallow bowl. Add a bit of salt and pepper to the flour, and place into another bowl. Finally add the breadcrumbs to a third bowl. Make balls (orbs) about the size of a golf ball, then roll them in the flour, coat with the egg mixture, and coat with the breadcrumbs.
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10Carefully place back into the egg mixture and coat a second time with the breadcrumbs.
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11Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet with a wire rack and repeat for the remainder of the chicken orbs.
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12COOKING You have three options for cooking these bad boys: Air Fryer Oven Baking Pan Frying.
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13Oven Baking Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet with a wire rack and bake in a preheated 350f/175c, until golden brown, about 10 – 15 minutes. Air Fryer Preheat air fryer to 400f/205c, and place into the fryer basked, shaking occasionally until golden brown, about 8 – 10 minutes Pan Fried Add about 1/2 inch (1.3cm) non-flavored oil (grapeseed, canola, etc.) to a high-walled skillet and heat to 350f/175c). Add the orbs and cook while rolling in the oil until golden brown, about 3 – 4 minutes. In all three cases, if you overcook them, the cheese will ooze out and you will have a right mess. They will still taste good, but it will still be a right mess. In the case of oven or air frying, if you want a tastier orb, mist them with a wee bit of oil before cooking.
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14PLATE/PRESENT
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15Let cool for a few minutes, and then serve with your favorite dipping sauce. Enjoy.
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16Keep the faith, and keep cooking.
- Last Step: Don't forget to share! Make all your friends drool by posting a picture of your finished recipe on your favorite social network. And don't forget to tag Just A Pinch and include #justapinchrecipes so we can see it too!
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