Buffalo Chicken Bombs
Imagine a warm, golden pocket filled with tender, spicy buffalo chicken and gooey melted cheese, all wrapped in a soft biscuit dough. These Buffalo Chicken Bombs are the perfect blend of comfort food and bold flavors, making them ideal for game days, casual gatherings, or a fun weeknight dinner. Each bite brings the perfect balance of creamy cheese, spicy buffalo sauce, and buttery biscuit. Whether you’re hosting friends or whipping up a quick family meal, these little bites of heaven are sure to impress. Pair them with ranch or blue cheese dressing for the ultimate dipping experience!
Ingredients Overview
- Cooked Shredded Chicken (2 cups): A great way to use leftover chicken or a store-bought rotisserie chicken for convenience. The chicken is the star of the filling, providing a hearty, protein-packed base.
- Buffalo Sauce (1/2 cup): The tangy heat of buffalo sauce brings bold flavor to the bombs. If you’re sensitive to spice, you can adjust the amount to your liking.
- Cream Cheese, Softened (4 oz): Adds a creamy texture that balances the heat of the buffalo sauce and ensures the filling is rich and smooth.
- Shredded Cheddar Cheese (1/2 cup): Cheddar provides a sharp, gooey melt that complements the buffalo chicken perfectly.
- Refrigerated Biscuit Dough (1 can, 8 pieces): These pre-made biscuits are an easy shortcut for creating that soft, flaky exterior. They bake up beautifully, encasing the filling in a buttery crust.
- Melted Butter (1/4 cup): Brushing the tops of the bombs with butter ensures a golden, crispy exterior.
- Garlic Powder (1 tbsp) & Dried Parsley (1 tbsp): These seasonings elevate the buttery topping, giving each bomb an extra layer of flavor.
- Ranch or Blue Cheese Dressing: The perfect cooling dip to complement the heat of the buffalo chicken.
Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions
1. Preheat Your Oven:
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
This step ensures your oven is at the perfect temperature for baking the biscuits into golden, crispy goodness.
2. Mix the Chicken Filling:
In a bowl, combine the shredded chicken, buffalo sauce, softened cream cheese, and shredded cheddar cheese.
The cream cheese melts into the buffalo sauce, creating a luscious filling that’s both creamy and spicy. Make sure the ingredients are evenly mixed to get consistent flavor in every bite.
3. Assemble the Buffalo Chicken Bombs:
Flatten each biscuit dough piece using your hands or a rolling pin. Place a spoonful of the chicken mixture in the center of each dough circle. Fold the dough over the filling and pinch the edges to seal.
Be careful not to overfill—about a tablespoon of filling per biscuit is perfect. Seal the edges tightly to prevent the filling from leaking out during baking.
4. Brush with Garlic Butter:
In a small bowl, mix the melted butter with garlic powder and dried parsley. Brush each bomb generously with the butter mixture.
This garlic-butter topping adds incredible flavor and gives the bombs a beautiful golden finish.
5. Bake to Perfection:
Place the bombs on a lined baking sheet and bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the biscuits are puffed up and golden brown.
Check the bombs at around the 12-minute mark to ensure they don’t overbake. You want a soft, pillowy exterior with a slight crisp.
6. Serve and Enjoy:
Serve the buffalo chicken bombs hot with ranch or blue cheese dressing on the side for dipping.
These are best enjoyed fresh out of the oven while the cheese is still gooey and the biscuits are warm.
Valuable Tips for Perfect Buffalo Chicken Bombs
Helpful Tip:
For the perfect filling consistency, make sure your cream cheese is softened to room temperature. This ensures it blends smoothly with the chicken and buffalo sauce.
Helpful Tip:
If you prefer a milder flavor, reduce the amount of buffalo sauce or opt for a mild version. You can always add more sauce as a dip on the side!
Helpful Tip:
For an extra crispy finish, bake the bombs on a wire rack set over the baking sheet. This allows air to circulate around the bombs, giving them a crispier bottom.
Storage and Reheating Tips
Storage:
If you have leftovers (although that’s rare with these irresistible bombs!), store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Reheating:
To reheat, pop the bombs in a 350°F (175°C) oven for about 5-7 minutes, or until heated through. This helps maintain the crispiness of the biscuit dough. You can also microwave them for 30-40 seconds, but they may lose some of their crunch.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can I make these ahead of time?
Yes! Assemble the bombs and refrigerate them for up to 24 hours before baking.
2. Can I freeze Buffalo Chicken Bombs?
Absolutely! Freeze the assembled, unbaked bombs. When ready to bake, add a few extra minutes to the baking time.
3. What’s the best way to shred chicken?
Using two forks is the classic method, but you can also use a stand mixer with the paddle attachment for quick, evenly shredded chicken.
4. Can I use rotisserie chicken?
Yes! Rotisserie chicken works perfectly and saves you time on prep.
5. Can I substitute buffalo sauce?
You can substitute buffalo sauce with BBQ sauce for a different flavor profile.
6. Can I add more cheese?
Definitely! If you’re a cheese lover, add a little extra cheddar or even a mozzarella blend for extra gooeyness.
7. What if I don’t have biscuit dough?
Puff pastry or crescent roll dough can be a great alternative to biscuit dough.
8. Can I add vegetables to the filling?
Yes, finely chopped celery or carrots can add a nice crunch to the filling.
9. How do I make these spicier?
Add a dash of cayenne pepper or diced jalapeños to the filling for extra heat.
10. Can I make these gluten-free?
Yes, just use gluten-free biscuit dough and double-check that your buffalo sauce is gluten-free.
11. What other cheeses can I use?
Try mozzarella, gouda, or pepper jack for a different flavor twist.
12. Can I use leftover chicken?
Yes, this is a perfect recipe for using up leftover cooked chicken.
13. How do I prevent the filling from leaking out?
Make sure the edges of the dough are tightly sealed, and don’t overfill the bombs.
14. What’s the best way to serve these?
Serve them hot with a variety of dipping sauces like ranch, blue cheese, or extra buffalo sauce.
15. Can I add bacon to the filling?
Yes, cooked and crumbled bacon adds a delicious savory crunch!
16. Can I make these vegetarian?
Replace the chicken with cooked chickpeas or a vegetarian chicken substitute.
17. How do I make them crispy all around?
Bake them on a wire rack for maximum crispness all around.
18. Can I use flavored biscuits?
Flavored biscuits like garlic or cheddar biscuits can add an extra layer of flavor.
19. How do I keep the bottoms from getting soggy?
Use parchment paper or bake on a wire rack to prevent soggy bottoms.
20. What’s the best way to transport these?
If you’re taking them to a party, let them cool slightly, then wrap them in foil and place them in a warm container to maintain their temperature.
20 Secrets for Culinary Perfection
- Use freshly shredded cheese for the best melt – pre-shredded cheeses often have anti-caking agents that affect texture.
- Room temperature cream cheese blends more smoothly with the chicken.
- Don’t overfill the bombs—a small amount of filling prevents leaks.
- Use parchment paper to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.
- Brush with garlic butter halfway through baking for even more flavor.
- Don’t skimp on the butter topping—it makes the bombs extra golden and delicious.
- Experiment with different cheeses like gouda, mozzarella, or pepper jack for unique flavor twists.
- Add chopped green onions or cilantro for a fresh burst of flavor inside the filling.
- Make a double batch—these disappear fast!
- Freeze before baking for easy make-ahead appetizers.
- Bake on a wire rack for evenly crisp bombs all around.
- Reheat in the oven to keep the texture crispy, not soggy.
- Add crumbled bacon to the filling for a salty crunch.
- Try a BBQ chicken filling if you’re not a fan of buffalo sauce.
- Use an egg wash for a shinier, golden finish.
- Add finely diced jalapeños to spice things up.
- Swap the buffalo sauce for sriracha for a different type of heat.
- Use Greek yogurt instead of cream cheese for a lighter filling.
- Serve with celery sticks for a classic buffalo chicken pairing.
- Let them cool slightly before serving to allow the filling to set, making them easier to eat
