Description
Savory chicken cupcakes blend classic comfort with whimsical presentation, turning ordinary dinner into a playful culinary adventure. Crispy chicken, creamy mashed potato frosting, and colorful garnishes create a delightful meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 2 cups (475 ml) shredded cooked chicken
Binding and Flavor Enhancers:
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup (50 g) grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup (120 g) breadcrumbs
Aromatics and Herbs:
- 1/4 cup (40 g) finely chopped onion
- 1/4 cup (15 g) chopped fresh parsley
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and prepare a 12-cup muffin tin with a light coating of cooking spray.
- In a spacious mixing bowl, thoroughly blend shredded chicken with breadcrumbs, eggs, Parmesan cheese, finely chopped onion, fresh parsley, salt, and pepper until the mixture is uniformly combined.
- Carefully distribute the chicken mixture into each muffin cavity, gently compressing the contents to create compact, uniform cupcake shapes.
- Transfer the muffin tin to the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, ensuring the mixture sets completely and develops a light golden surface.
- Extract the tin from the oven and immediately garnish each cupcake with a generous sprinkle of mozzarella cheese. Drizzle melted butter over the top, and optionally dust with a pinch of garlic powder and dried oregano for enhanced flavor.
- Return the tin to the oven for an additional 5 minutes, allowing the cheese to melt and become delicately bubbly.
- Remove from the oven and let the chicken cupcakes rest for 2-3 minutes. Carefully extract from the tin and serve while warm as a delightful savory appetizer or snack.
Notes
- Swap breadcrumbs with gluten-free alternatives like almond flour or crushed pork rinds for a low-carb version that maintains the cupcake’s texture.
- Experiment with different cheese combinations like sharp cheddar or blue cheese to create unique flavor profiles and add depth to the chicken cupcakes.
- Add diced bell peppers or spinach to boost vegetable content and enhance nutritional value without compromising the savory taste.
- Use leftover rotisserie chicken to save time and add extra flavor complexity to the recipe, making meal prep quicker and more convenient.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 160 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 350 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 2.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3.5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 8 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Cholesterol: 95 mg