Buffalo Chicken Celery Sticks Recipe
If you love a little kick with your crunch, then this Buffalo Chicken Celery Sticks Recipe is going to become your new favorite snack or appetizer. It’s the perfect blend of creamy, spicy, and fresh all wrapped up in a crisp celery boat. This dish brings together tender shredded chicken tossed in a luscious buffalo sauce mixed with cream cheese, making each bite nothing short of addictive. Whether you’re prepping for a gathering or just craving something tasty and satisfying, these Buffalo Chicken Celery Sticks are simple to make and absolutely bursting with flavor.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this recipe is how straightforward the ingredients are, yet each one plays an essential role in building layers of flavor and texture. From the fiery buffalo wing sauce to the cooling crunch of celery, they all come together to create a harmonious balance in every bite.
- Buffalo wing sauce (½ cup): Adds the signature tangy heat that makes buffalo dishes so irresistible.
- Garlic powder (½ teaspoon): Brings a subtle depth and enhances the overall savory profile.
- Onion powder (¼ teaspoon): Offers a gentle sweetness that complements the spice nicely.
- Cream cheese, softened (2 oz): Provides a creamy texture to mellow the heat and bind the chicken.
- Shredded cooked chicken (2 cups): The hearty base of the filling, packed with tender, flavorful protein.
- Celery sticks, washed and trimmed (12): Infuse each bite with crispness and a fresh contrast to the rich chicken salad.
- Blue cheese crumbles (¼ cup): Adds a sharp, creamy tang that lifts the flavors beautifully.
- Green onions, diced (3-4): Bring a fresh, mild onion crunch as a colorful garnish.
How to Make Buffalo Chicken Celery Sticks Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Buffalo Chicken Salad
Start by warming up the buffalo wing sauce in a saucepan over medium heat, blending in garlic powder and onion powder to infuse it with that deep, savory aroma. Once it starts bubbling, stir in the softened cream cheese until it melts completely and combines into a silky sauce. Remove the pan from heat, then fold in the shredded chicken until each piece is generously coated with the flavorful mixture. This step is where the magic of the Buffalo Chicken Celery Sticks Recipe truly begins.
Step 2: Chill the Buffalo Chicken Salad
Transfer the buffalo chicken salad to a bowl and refrigerate it for about an hour. This chilling time allows the flavors to meld together and the mixture to firm up slightly, making it easier to spread later on the celery sticks. Patience here pays off with a more cohesive and delicious filling.
Step 3: Assemble the Celery Sticks
Carefully spread a generous amount of the chilled buffalo chicken salad onto each celery stick. The crisp crunch of the celery combined with the creamy, spicy filling makes for an unforgettable texture experience. Be sure to fill them evenly for a beautiful presentation and consistent taste in every bite.
Step 4: Garnish and Serve
Top each buffalo chicken-filled celery stick with blue cheese crumbles and a sprinkling of diced green onions. These garnishes not only add lively pops of color but also provide contrasting flavors and textures that elevate this Buffalo Chicken Celery Sticks Recipe to a true crowd-pleaser.
How to Serve Buffalo Chicken Celery Sticks Recipe
Garnishes
Blue cheese crumbles and diced green onions are classic garnishes that bring sharpness and freshness to the dish, but you can also experiment with a drizzle of ranch dressing or a pinch of smoked paprika for extra flavor. These little finishing touches make your Buffalo Chicken Celery Sticks look as good as they taste.
Side Dishes
Buffalo Chicken Celery Sticks work beautifully alongside a crisp garden salad or crunchy carrot sticks for a colorful, light meal. They also pair perfectly with creamy ranch or blue cheese dips if you want to amp up the indulgence. For a heartier option, try serving them with baked sweet potato fries or a side of coleslaw.
Creative Ways to Present
For a party, arrange these celery sticks neatly on a platter with extra dips around for easy self-serving. You can also stuff mini bell peppers with the buffalo chicken salad for bite-sized alternatives or use cucumber slices as a refreshing base. Creativity in presentation can make this Buffalo Chicken Celery Sticks Recipe a star at any gathering!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you happen to have leftovers, place the buffalo chicken salad and celery sticks separately in airtight containers. This prevents the celery from becoming soggy and keeps the filling fresh and flavorful for up to two days in the refrigerator.
Freezing
While the buffalo chicken salad itself freezes well in an airtight container for up to three months, the celery sticks do not freeze properly due to their high water content. For best results, freeze the filling alone and assemble the dish fresh when ready to serve your Buffalo Chicken Celery Sticks Recipe.
Reheating
When you’re ready for another serving, gently reheat the buffalo chicken salad in a microwave or stovetop until warm, then spread it on freshly cut celery sticks. Avoid overheating the filling, as it can dry out or separate, diminishing that luscious texture you want.
FAQs
Can I use rotisserie chicken for this Buffalo Chicken Celery Sticks Recipe?
Absolutely! Rotisserie chicken is a quick and flavorful shortcut that works perfectly in this recipe. Just shred the meat and follow the instructions as usual for delicious results.
Is there a vegetarian alternative for the buffalo chicken filling?
You can swap chicken for shredded jackfruit or chickpeas mixed with buffalo sauce and cream cheese to create a tasty vegetarian version that still has that spicy creaminess.
What can I use if I don’t have blue cheese?
If you’re not a fan of blue cheese, crumbled feta or goat cheese can provide a similar tangy richness. Even shredded cheddar or mozzarella can work as milder alternatives.
How spicy is this Buffalo Chicken Celery Sticks Recipe?
The heat level is moderate thanks to the buffalo sauce, but it can be adjusted by choosing a mild or hot variety of buffalo wing sauce. The cream cheese also helps tone down the spice without compromising flavor.
Can I prepare this recipe ahead for a party?
Yes! You can make the buffalo chicken salad a day in advance and store it chilled. Assemble the celery sticks just before serving to keep them crisp and fresh for your guests.
Final Thoughts
There’s something so satisfying about the crisp crunch of celery paired with that creamy, spicy buffalo chicken filling. This Buffalo Chicken Celery Sticks Recipe not only hits all the right flavor notes but also comes together quickly and easily, making it a go-to for snacks, parties, or even light meals. Don’t hesitate to try it out—you might just find yourself making it again and again!
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Buffalo Chicken Celery Sticks Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
- Diet: Low Carb
Description
These Buffalo Chicken Celery Sticks are a delicious and healthy appetizer perfect for game days or casual gatherings. Tender shredded chicken is coated in a creamy, tangy buffalo sauce mixture, then chilled and served atop crisp celery sticks, garnished with blue cheese crumbles and fresh green onions for added flavor and crunch.
Ingredients
Buffalo Chicken Salad
- ½ cup Buffalo wing sauce
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
- 2 oz cream cheese, softened
- 2 cups shredded cooked chicken
Assembly
- 12 celery sticks, washed and trimmed
- ¼ cup blue cheese crumbles
- 3–4 green onions, diced
Instructions
- Make Buffalo Chicken Sauce: In a saucepan over medium heat, combine the buffalo wing sauce, garlic powder, and onion powder. Stir and heat until the mixture begins to bubble gently.
- Add Cream Cheese: Stir in the softened cream cheese until completely melted and smooth, creating a creamy buffalo sauce base.
- Mix in Chicken: Remove the sauce from heat and fold in the shredded cooked chicken until all pieces are well coated with the buffalo cream cheese sauce.
- Chill the Mixture: Transfer the buffalo chicken mixture to a container and refrigerate for 1 hour to allow the flavors to meld and the mixture to firm up slightly.
- Prepare Celery Sticks: While the chicken mixture chills, wash and trim the celery sticks to serve as the crisp base for the buffalo chicken topping.
- Assemble the Appetizers: After chilling, spread a generous amount of the buffalo chicken salad onto each celery stick.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle blue cheese crumbles and diced green onions on top of the filled celery sticks for added texture and flavor. Serve immediately.
Notes
- The cooking of the chicken is assumed prior; leftover rotisserie or cooked chicken works well.
- Adjust the buffalo sauce amount depending on your preferred spice level.
- For a milder version, substitute buffalo sauce with a mild hot sauce or wing sauce.
- Can be prepared a few hours in advance and kept chilled before serving.
- Pair with ranch or additional blue cheese dressing for dipping.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
