Just created the ultimate Ragú® #NewTraDish mash up recipe the whole family will love as part of a sponsored post for Socialstars.
I can’t believe it’s already November. I’m about to compost all the pumpkins and change over to Christmas trees. This time of year can be incredibly fun but it can also be insanely hectic. With all the family functions comes lots of cleaning and feeding of people. I often try to be Martha Stewart and usually fail miserably but points for trying, right?
The trick really is keeping it simple. I can never keep things simple and often over think things. Not this year though. Not with decorating the house and not with my cooking. I want to spend less time in the kitchen and more time with my family. This year I’m cooking great foods that don’t require a lot and will fill you up good!
CHICKEN PARM POPPERS RECIPE
You always have those people who aren’t going to like much at functions and I try to often accommodate them all. Instead of having turkey or ham as the only option have a fun chicken option. This is a winner with kids too! Believe me, mine fought over them.
When I was looking through the recipes over at Ragu I was inspired by their Mama’s Best Ever Spaghetti & Meatballs & the Oven Baked Chicken Parmesan. I liked that I both were kid friendly foods and wanted to find a way to make them an appetizer and finger food friendly.
In a big bowl combine your ground chicken, 1 cup of shredded cheese, salt, black pepper, and garlic and with your mix it all up. You might want to use gloves if you use your hands like I do, or at least maybe your rings if you wear them.
This year I want to keep it all simple. Easy finger foods mean easy clean up most of the time too. When I first thought about this recipe I had actually planned on more of a meatball shape but I had forgotten how ground chicken is just a sticky mess and realized that wasn’t going to happen. I went to pull out a regular tray and found my pampered chef mini muffin pan and thought how perfect it would work.
Sprinkle a small amount of panko bread crumbs in each area and then with a butter knife I spread in a small amount, about a teaspoon maybe more. Then I sliced my cheese sticks and placed a piece in each cavity and then added more ground chicken mixture. Then sprinkle more panko breadcrumbs over the top.
Place in oven set to 375 for 20 minutes or until they are lightly browned. Top with spoonful of Ragú® Chunky Tomato Garlic & Onion Sauce and a pinch of shredded cheese. Place on plate and serve.
I can’t even begin to tell you how good these were. If I didn’t claim these four to photograph I would have never had any. They were devoured in minutes and was told I need to find a way to make these regularly, and I will. The best part is they were baked and not fried and everything chicken parm is always fried and I just hate what it does to my stove, er, I mean body.
For lots of other great game night meals make sure to follow Ragú® on all their social channels like Facebook, Twitter, and my favorite- Pinterest! If you use CrowdTap make sure to check out the Crowdtap Ragú Sauce Masters questions and possibly win prizes!
Chicken Parm Poppers Recipe #NewTraDish
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground chicken
- 1 1/4 cups shredded mozzarella cheese divided
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 3-4 Kids Cheese Sticks cubed
- 1 /4 teaspoon black pepper
- 2-4 cloves garlic crushed
- 1 cup Ragú Chunky Tomato Garlic & Onion Sauce
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375. Spray pan if needed.
- In a big bowl combine your ground chicken, 1 cup of shredded cheese, salt, black pepper, and garlic and with your mix it all up. You might want to use gloves if you use your hands like I do, or at least maybe your rings if you wear them.
- Sprinkle a small amount of panko bread crumbs in each cavity of a mini muffin pan and then with a butter knife spread in a small amount, about a teaspoon maybe more. Then sliced cheese sticks and placed a piece in each cavity and then add more ground chicken mixture. Then sprinkle more panko breadcrumbs over the top.
- Place in oven set to 375 for 20 minutes or until they are lightly browned. Top with spoonful of Ragú Old World Style® Sauce and a pinch of shredded cheese. Place on plate and serve.
What’s your favorite finger friendly appetizer?
do you know I have NEVER purchased ground chicken before b/c I never know what to do with it – and I ALWAYS see it on sale. Now I know. Doing this. Soon! 🙂
Looks delicious and easy which is great for busy weeknights! YUM!!
Such a great idea. My kids like anything made in a tiny muffin or ball! The best part is that my husband would love them, too! Bookmarking for my next birthday party 🙂
These look AMAZING!!! Can’t wait to try them 🙂
These look so good! I’m usually all about the bacon wrapper lil’ smokies or rip in dip! Yum!
These look delicious! I know my family would LOVE them! Pinning now! 🙂
These look totally delicious! I think my kids would love them. Their current favorite appetizers are mini pigs in a blanket or sausage balls.
cant wait to try this out my family will love it
I am pretty sure these would be gone in my house in a minute. I don’t think I can wait to make them for appetizers, I might have to make them for dinner
SO SO Fun!!
I am always looking for ideas for parties and these look great.
Thanks for sharing,
Bev
Are they good served cold too or just hot out of the oven?
They’ve never made it to being cold 😉
Fun party idea or just something to jazz up supper. I’ve worked with ground chicken all of one time…and yes, it was really wet!
Thanks for sharing with See Ya in the Gumbo.
Can you explain the cheese stick please. I don’t see it in the ingredient list. Thanks
It is in the list and in the directions HTH:
Sprinkle a small amount of panko bread crumbs in each area and then with a butter knife I spread in a small amount, about a teaspoon maybe more. Then I sliced my cheese sticks and placed a piece in each cavity and then added more ground chicken mixture. Then sprinkle more panko breadcrumbs over the top.
What kind of cheese stick? The only cheese in the ingredients is the shredded mozzarella.
A regular kids cheese stick. It’s shown in the big photo of ingredients.
Have to try these for our next big get together. I know my friends will love them! Thanks!
This recipe looked so good, I copied it down. I am due to make it this coming week for a get-together. I thank you for the share.
I love the idea of tiny bites. Plus, they’re great for portion control.
These look delicious, what a great idea for an appetizer. Thank you for sharing.