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If you love Buffalo chicken, you’re going to love these Baked Mini Buffalo Chicken Bites!
They’re creamy, cheesy, a little spicy, and tucked into crispy mini phyllo shells. Best of all, they’re surprisingly easy to make.
Just stir together a few simple ingredients, spoon the filling into the shells, and bake until warm and bubbly.
These little bites are perfect for parties, potlucks, or game-day gatherings. They have all the flavor of Buffalo chicken dip in a neat, bite-sized appetizer that’s much less messy to eat.
Why I Love Mini Phyllo Shells
I’ve been a fan of Athens Mini Phyllo Shells for years. They’re one of my favorite shortcuts for easy appetizers and desserts.
The shells are already baked, so you can fill them with all kinds of sweet or savory mixtures and serve them as is or warm them in the oven.
You’ll usually find them in the freezer section near the pie crusts and phyllo dough.
For this recipe, they make the perfect little containers for creamy Buffalo chicken filling.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Reduced-fat cream cheese: Makes the filling creamy without being too heavy.
- Cayenne pepper sauce: Gives the bites their classic Buffalo chicken flavor. I used Frank’s RedHot.
- Canned diced tomatoes with green chilies: Add a little extra flavor and spice. Drain them before adding.
- Canned chicken breast: A convenient shortcut. Leftover cooked chicken works just as well.
- Reduced-fat shredded cheddar cheese: Adds cheesy flavor to the filling.
- Mini phyllo shells: Ready-made crispy shells that make these appetizers so easy.
- Optional garnishes: Finely chopped celery, cilantro, parsley, or a few blue cheese crumbles.
How to Make Buffalo Chicken Fillo Bites
Step 1: Gather and prepare all ingredients.
Step 2: Heat oven to 350F degrees.
Step 3: Place the cream cheese and hot peppers sauce in medium microwave (affiliate link)-safe bowl.
Cover and microwave (affiliate link) on HIGH for 30 seconds and then stir until smooth. Reheat in 10 second increments until mixture is smooth and creamy.
Step 4: Add the drained tomatoes, chicken and shredded cheese to the cream cheese mixture.
Stir well, breaking up any large pieces of chicken, until well blended.
Step 5: Place the empty phyllo shells in a large shallow baking pan and divide the mixture evenly between shells.
Step 6: Bake for 8 – 12 minutes, or until heated through.
Step 7: Top with finely chopped celery, cilantro, or crumbled blue cheese (if using), before serving.
My Tips and Easy Variations
Use leftover chicken. I originally made these with canned chicken breast for convenience, but finely chopped or shredded cooked chicken works beautifully.
Keep the filling lighter. Reduced-fat cream cheese and cheddar help cut back on fat and calories without sacrificing the creamy, cheesy flavor.
Add a little crunch. I especially like topping these with finely chopped celery. It adds a nice contrast to the creamy filling.
Try blue cheese. A few crumbles on top are delicious if you enjoy the classic Buffalo chicken and blue cheese combination.
Adjust the heat. Use a little more or less hot pepper sauce to suit your taste.
Two More Ways to Serve the Buffalo Chicken Filling
One of the nice things about this recipe is that you don’t have to use phyllo shells.
Buffalo Chicken Celery Bites: Spoon the filling into short pieces of celery for a crunchy, lower-carb appetizer.
Easy Buffalo Chicken Dip: Heat the filling in a small baking dish and serve with celery sticks, carrot sticks, jicama, tortilla chips, or your favorite crackers.
Both are easy alternatives when you don’t have mini phyllo shells on hand.
How Many Calories and WW Points?
According to my calculations each serving (2 filled shells) has 75 calories.
To see your WW Points for this recipe, track it in the WW App!
(You must be logged into WW on a smartphone or tablet.)
2 PointsPlus (Old plan)
Not bad for such a tasty treat! Enjoy!
If you’ve made these Baked Buffalo Chicken Tartlets, please give the recipe a star rating below and leave a comment letting me know how you liked it. And stay in touch on Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for the latest updates.
Mini Baked Buffalo Chicken Bites
Equipment
Ingredients
- 4 ounces reduced fat cream cheese
- 1 tablespoon cayenne pepper sauce
- 1 can (10 ounces) diced tomatoes with green chilies, (such as Ro*Tel® ), drained well
- 1 can (5 ounces) chicken chicken breast, drained
- 1/2 cup shredded reduced-fat cheddar cheese
- 22 frozen mini fillo shells, from 2 boxes (1.9 oz each)
- 1 medium stalk celery, finely chopped, for garnish (optional)
- Crumbled blue choose, for garnish (optional)
- Finely chopped cilantro, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Heat oven to 350F degrees.
- Place the cream cheese and hot peppers sauce in medium microwave-safe bowl. Cover and microwave on HIGH for 30 seconds and then stir until smooth. Reheat in 10 second increments until mixture is smooth and creamy.
- Add the drained tomatoes, chicken and shredded cheese to the cream cheese mixture. Stir well, breaking up any large pieces of chicken, until well blended.
- Place the empty fillo shells in a large shallow baking pan and divide the mixture evenly between shells.
- Bake for 8 – 12 minutes, or until heated through.
- Top with finely chopped celery, cilantro, or crumbled blue cheese (if using), before serving.
Notes
(Must be logged into WW on a smartphone or tablet.) 2 PointsPlus (Old plan)
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Source: Rotel
More Easy Appetizers You’ll Love
- 16 Easy, Lighter Dip Recipes – Plenty of ideas for parties and snacking.
- 3-Ingredient Slow Cooker Chili Cheese Dip – Another easy, cheesy party favorite.
- Easy Shrimp Cocktail – A classic appetizer that’s always welcome.
- 2-Ingredient Canned Tuna Ceviche – A quick, refreshing appetizer.
- Everything But the Bagel Chips – A crunchy homemade snack.
These mini Buffalo chicken bites are proof that party food doesn’t have to be complicated. A few ingredients, a package of phyllo shells, and about 10 minutes in the oven are all it takes.
I couldn’t find the pastry shells so I used wonton wrappers…very good recipe!
Hi Pam, Wonton wrappers are a great substitute for the phyllo pastry shells. Thanks for sharing! ~Martha
Delicious! Must make them again……
Great appetizer. I like to top cucumber slices with it.
This was TOO good to be classified an appetizer, as I’d planned when I made it. It is a wonderful version of one of my favorites, Buffalo Chicken! It’s a ‘keeper’.
Wow! How great to have this luxuriously sinful treat that actually is healthy too. Thanks so much for keepjng me focused on savoring. Really makes sense!
Instead of phyllo, may I use tart shells and if so, should I pre cook them or from frozen and bake the filling when frozen? And how long?
Hi Nicole, since the phyllo shells are already precooked, I would precook your tart shells according to the recipe/instructions provided with them. Then you can follow the recipe as written. Hope this helps.
Hi, can I make the mixture ahead of time and store in the fridge until ready to put in the cups and in the oven?
Thanks!
Hi Steph, Yes, that should work fine!
WOW!! These are yummy and GREAT!! These will be the hit of all football parties to come. Thanks for sharing such a great recipe!
Thanks, Twila!
These Buffalo Mini Bites are ‘to die for’! Since Buffalo Chicken is one of my all-time favorites anyway; had to try them. They were as good as expected; if not better. During our tasting party, we also decided to try some inside celery (the new stuffed celery) and also another hit! Very, very good – and one that you should definitely keep on file!!
Thanks, Mom!! Glad you were able to join us for our Mini Bites Tastes Tests!!
These sound great and will be perfect for our Halloween get together.
Hope you enjoy them, Karen. We sure did!