Quick Ground Chicken Mozzarella Sticks

Finding a crowd-pleasing appetizer that’s both fun and different can feel like an impossible task. Between picky eaters at family gatherings, and the same old chips and dip showing up at every party, it’s easy to fall into an appetizer rut. And let’s be honest – most of us don’t have hours to spend in the kitchen preparing complicated finger foods.

That’s why these ground chicken mozzarella sticks are such a game-changer: they’re a creative twist on the classic everyone loves, packed with protein instead of breading, and simple enough to whip up even when you’re short on time.

What Kind of Ground Chicken Should I Use?

For these mozzarella sticks, you’ll want to pay attention to which ground chicken you pick up at the store. Regular ground chicken (made from a mix of white and dark meat) works better than lean ground chicken breast since the extra fat helps the coating stick together and stays more tender when cooked. You can find ground chicken in most grocery store meat departments, but if you’re having trouble finding it, you can ask your butcher to grind chicken thighs for you – they’ll usually do this at no extra charge. Just make sure your ground chicken is fresh and hasn’t been frozen before, as this can make it release too much moisture when you’re forming it around the cheese.

Options for Substitutions

Let me share some helpful swaps for this creative twist on mozzarella sticks:

• Ground chicken: You can swap ground chicken with ground turkey or even ground pork. Just keep in mind that turkey might be a bit drier, so you may want to add a tablespoon of olive oil to the meat mixture.
• Mozzarella sticks: While mozzarella works best for that classic stretchy cheese pull, you could try using cheddar or pepper jack sticks for a different flavor. Just make sure to freeze them well before coating, as they melt faster than mozzarella.
• Italian breadcrumbs: Plain breadcrumbs work too – just add 1 teaspoon of Italian seasoning. You can also use panko for extra crunch, or crushed pork rinds for a low-carb option.
• Adobo seasoning: If you don’t have adobo, mix equal parts garlic powder, onion powder, and salt with a pinch of black pepper and oregano.
• Eggs: For an egg-free version, try using 1/4 cup of buttermilk or plain yogurt mixed with a tablespoon of mustard as your wet ingredient.

Watch Out for These Mistakes While Cooking

The biggest challenge when making ground chicken mozzarella sticks is preventing the cheese from oozing out during frying – to avoid this, make sure your ground chicken coating is evenly distributed and sealed completely around each cheese stick. Another common mistake is not chilling the assembled sticks before frying; pop them in the freezer for at least 30 minutes (or up to 2 hours) to ensure the cheese stays put while the chicken cooks through. Temperature control is crucial during frying – if your oil is too hot, the outside will burn before the chicken is fully cooked, while oil that’s too cool will make your mozzarella sticks greasy and soggy (maintain oil at 350°F for best results). For extra insurance against cheese leakage, double-coat your sticks by dipping them in flour, then egg, then the seasoned ground chicken mixture, and repeat the process one more time before freezing.

What to Serve With Ground Chicken Mozzarella Sticks?

These cheesy chicken sticks are perfect for dipping, so marinara sauce is a must-have on the side! Since they’re pretty rich, I like to balance them out with some fresh veggie sticks like carrots, celery, and bell peppers – bonus points if you add a side of ranch dressing for extra dipping fun. For a complete meal, you could serve these alongside a simple green salad dressed with light vinaigrette or some zesty coleslaw to cut through the richness. If you’re serving these as party food, put out some extra dipping options like buffalo sauce, honey mustard, or garlic aioli to let everyone mix and match their favorites.

Storage Instructions

Keep Fresh: Once your chicken mozzarella sticks have cooled down, place them in an airtight container lined with paper towels to absorb any excess oil. They’ll stay good in the fridge for up to 3 days, though they’re definitely best enjoyed fresh and hot!

Freeze: These are perfect for making ahead and freezing! After cooking, let them cool completely, then place them on a baking sheet and freeze until solid (about 2 hours). Transfer to a freezer bag and they’ll keep for up to 2 months. Just remember to label the bag with the date!

Crisp Up: To get these mozzarella sticks crispy again, pop them in the oven at 375°F for about 10-12 minutes if refrigerated, or 15-20 minutes if frozen. Using an air fryer? Heat them at 350°F for 5-7 minutes, giving them a shake halfway through. Skip the microwave – it’ll make them soggy!

Preparation Time	15-20 minutes
Cooking Time	3-5 minutes
Total Time	18-25 minutes
Level of Difficulty	Medium

Estimated Nutrition

Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):

• Calories: 1200-1400
• Protein: 75-85 g
• Fat: 70-80 g
• Carbohydrates: 80-90 g

Ingredients

• 6 mozzarella sticks
• All-purpose flour
• 2 eggs, slightly beaten
• 1 pound ground chicken
• Seasoned italian breadcrumbs
• 1/8 teaspoon chili powder
• 1/8 teaspoon cayenne
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon adobo seasoning
• Oil for frying

Step 1: Prepare the Seasoned Chicken Mixture

In a small bowl, combine all your chosen seasonings.

Pour the seasoning blend over the ground chicken and mix thoroughly using your hands to ensure the flavors are evenly distributed throughout the meat.

Step 2: Set Up Your Dredging Station

Line up four bowls to create an efficient assembly line.

Fill the first bowl with flour, the second bowl with beaten eggs, the third bowl with the seasoned ground chicken, and the fourth bowl with seasoned bread crumbs.

Step 3: Coat the Mozzarella Sticks

Take each mozzarella stick one at a time and follow this coating process: first roll the stick in the flour to fully coat it.

Then dip it in the beaten eggs to ensure the chicken mixture sticks.

Next, cover the mozzarella stick with the seasoned ground chicken, trying to create an even layer around the cheese.

Finally, roll the coated stick in bread crumbs to ensure a crispy outer layer.

Step 4: Fry the Mozzarella Sticks

Heat oil in a deep fryer or pot to the appropriate frying temperature.

Carefully place the coated mozzarella sticks into the hot oil.

Fry them for 3-5 minutes until they become golden brown and you notice the cheese starting to ooze out slightly.

Step 5: Serve and Enjoy

Once fried, remove the mozzarella sticks from the oil and let them drain on a paper towel to remove excess oil.

Serve hot with a side of marinara sauce for dipping and enjoy your delicious homemade mozzarella sticks!