Buffalo Chicken Melt Bites

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If there’s one thing you can count on during football season, it’s that buffalo chicken is going to make an appearance at just about any watch party. And to be honest, we’re not complaining! But we can only take so much buffalo chicken dip. Which is why we’re turning a favorite into cheesy buffalo chicken melt appetizers. These bite-sized buffalo chicken melts are warm, cheesy, herby, full of buffalo flavor, and have a kick of heat. They’re just the kind of snack that is easy to grab and perfectly proportioned for game-day parties.

Tangy, creamy buffalo chicken filling comes together in minutes with shredded rotisserie chicken, cottage cheese, buffalo sauce, blue cheese, and a handful of seasonings and herbs. The flavor-packed mixture is spread over toasted baguette slices and is covered in a blanked ot cheddar cheese and a sprinkle of jalapeño slices for a little kick of spice. As they bake, they get bubbly and melty while the bread gets crisp around the edges.

Each baguette is sliced into bite-sized pieces for the perfect portion. Serve them with a side or ranch or on their own. Either way, they’re sure to be gone before halftime! These easy buffalo chicken bites are made with fall football watch parties in mind. But they’re also great for holiday gatherings, game nights, or pretty much any occasion that calls for good snacks. 

Why You’ll Love These Buffalo Chicken Melts

• Super easy to prep and serve! The filling comes together in a matter of minutes – we used rotisserie chicken for ease, and everything else gets dumped in a bowl and mixed before spreading on top of the baguette slices. They bake in just under 10 minutes and are sliced for an easy-to-grab appetizer.
• The perfect bite for parties! These buffalo chicken melts are the coziest finger foods which are ideal for grazing at parties. Slice into bite-sized pieces and serve on a platter for everyone to grab.
• Warm, creamy, melty with a kick! Each of these bites is packed with tangy, creamy flavor, and the jalapeños on top add an extra kick to keep them interesting! We promise you’ll be coming back for ‘just one more’!

How to Make These Buffalo Chicken Melt Appetizers

Step 1. Preheat the oven, prep the baking sheet, and toast baguette slices. 

Start by preheating the oven to a high temperature of 400°F. While the oven is preheating, line a baking sheet with parchment paper and prep the baguette slices for toasting. 

Slice each baguette in half lengthwise and spread some softened butter over the top of each baguette. Place the baguettes in the preheated oven for about 6-8 minutes, until the edges are golden brown and just getting crispy. 

Toasting the baguettes is going to crisp the surface of the bread so that it doesn’t get soggy when you add the creamy buffalo chicken filling.

Tip: This recipe uses two small baguette slices. If you have a larger baguette, you can just use one.

Step 2. Make buffalo chicken filling.

We kept this recipe super simple and are using a rotisserie chicken. This is a great time saver, but if you have time to cook a couple of chicken breasts, those work just as well. 

Remove the meat from the rotisserie chicken and add it to a large mixing bowl. Use a hand-held mixer or stand mixer to shred quickly shred the chicken. Turn the mixer on medium speed and beat the chicken until it is finely shredded.

If you see some large chunks, continue beating the chicken into smaller pieces. The thin shreds will allow the filling to come together smoothly and make biting into it easier – no one likes biting into large chunks of chicken.

Once the chicken is shredded, add cottage cheese, blue cheese, and buffalo sauce, green onions, dill, parsley, and seasonings to the bowl. Use a wooden spoon or rubber spatula to mix everything until it is evenly blended.

Step 3. Assemble cheese melts and bake. 

Spoon the buffalo chicken mixture onto the toasted baguette slices and spread a the heaping spoonfuls into an even layer. It’s okay to make a thick topping. 

Sprinkle a blanket of cheddar cheese over the top of each baguette and finish with some slices of jalapeños on top. 

Pop the baguette slices into the oven and bake for just around 10 minutes until the cheese is melty and the centers are warm.  

Tip: If you want less heat, deseed the jalapeños. If you like a little spice, keep some of the seeds in the jalapeño slices. 

Step 4. Slice, sprinkle with some herbs, and serve on a platter.

Let the baguettes set for a couple of minutes before slicing. Slice into bite-sized pieces and sprinkle the tops with some chopped parsley for added flavor and some additional color.

They’re best if served warm! Place them on your serving platter and serve alone or with a side of ranch dressing for dipping.

Tips for Making Buffalo Chicken Melt Appetizer Bites

• Use rotisserie chicken for an easy shortcut. Rotisserie chicken will cut down on prep time and is super easy to shred using a handheld mixer. 
• Toast the baguette slices before adding the topping. A quick toast creates a sturdy, crispy base to hold the creamy buffalo chicken mixture without making the bread soggy. Toast the baguettes for about 8 minutes at 400°F or until they are just golden brown on the edges.
• Customize the heat level. Adjust the heat of these appetizers by adding a little more or a little less buffalo sauce and jalapeños. If you love heat, add a little more sauce and leave the seeds in the jalapeño slices. If you like a milder appetizer, reduce the amount of buffalo and leave out the jalapeño slices.

Storing Leftover Buffalo Chicken Melt Bites

Store leftover buffalo chicken bites in an airtight container in the refridgerator for up to 3 days. Reheat them in a 350°F oven or toaster oven until they are warmed through and the bread is crisp again. 

You can use the microwave to reheat leftover buffalo chicken bites, but they will be softer in texture. Reheating in the oven is the best way to revive the crispiness.

More party appetizers to try:

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