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.
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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!
Categories & Tags for Appetizer Essentials: Cheesy/Spicy Chicken Orbs:
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