Buffalo Chicken Phyllo Cups – Easy Appetizer Recipe

These buffalo chicken phyllo cups deliver a spicy punch to your appetizer lineup, combining the heat of buffalo sauce and creamy chicken filling with the satisfying crunch of baked phyllo pastry. It’s an effortless take on a classic combo, served up in bite-sized perfection.

Being a die-hard fan of buffalo chicken dip, I couldn’t resist turning that crave-worthy goodness into these handheld wonders. These phyllo cups take the messy indulgence of buffalo chicken dip and magically transform it into a neat, portable appetizer. No more double-dipping dilemmas or awkward chip-breakage situations – just pure, spicy bliss in each perfectly contained bite. I make these for every get-together and they are always a huge hit, particularly during football season. 

Ingredients for the Buffalo Chicken Phyllo Cups

• Pre-baked phyllo cups – The crispy carriers for our flavorful filling offer a sturdy and satisfying bite. I like the Athens Foods brand, which can be found in the freezer section at the grocery store. 
• Shredded chicken – Creates a hearty, savory base. I recommend using chicken breast in this recipe. I used rotisserie chicken, but you can use any fully cooked chicken you have on hand. 
• Cream cheese – Adds a creamy texture, complementing buffalo sauce heat. Ensure it’s at room temperature for easy mixing.
• Cheddar cheese – Melted cheddar brings a sharp and savory note, enhancing the overall richness and depth of flavor.
• Buffalo sauce – The star of the show, bringing its signature spicy kick.
• Green onion – Provides a fresh and mildly pungent kick while adding a pop of color to the dish.

Making the Buffalo Chicken Phyllo Cups

1. Preparation – Begin by preheating your oven to 350 degrees F for the perfect bake. Arrange the pre-baked phyllo cups neatly on a large baking sheet lined with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
2. Mix the filling – In a medium bowl, combine shredded chicken, cream cheese, cheddar, buffalo sauce, and green onions. Mix until the mixture is uniform, eliminating any sizable cream cheese chunks.
3. Fill the cups – Transfer the shredded buffalo chicken mixture into the phyllo dough cups.
4. Bake to perfection – Bake for 10-15 minutes or until the mixture is bubbling and thoroughly cooked.
5. Rest and serve – Allow the buffalo chicken phyllo bites to cool on the tray for 3-4 minutes before diving into the irresistible handheld goodness.

Variations and substitutions

Milder buffalo flavor – Adjust the buffalo sauce quantity to 2 tablespoons for a less intense buffalo flavor, catering to personal preferences.

Swap green onion with celery – Opt for minced celery as a flavorful alternative to green onions in the chicken mixture.

Diced jalapeños – Add diced jalapeños to the mixture for an extra layer of heat and crunch.

Blue cheese crumbles – Enhance the flavor profile by sprinkling blue cheese crumbles on top before serving. Adjust the quantity based on your preference for a stronger or milder blue cheese presence.

Phyllo dough substitute – If phyllo cups are unavailable, utilize sheets of phyllo dough as a substitute. Stack three sheets on top of each other, cut into 3×3 inch squares, and gently press into mini muffin pans. Bake at 350 degrees for 5-8 minutes or until golden. Fill with the chicken mixture and continue baking for 8-13 minutes or until the filling is bubbling. This alternative provides the same delicious result in a different form.

Wonton wrapper cups – For a convenient twist, use wonton wrappers to create cups in a mini muffin pan instead of phyllo dough. Lightly coat the wrappers with olive oil, press them into the mini muffin pan, and bake until golden brown. Fill these crispy wonton cups with the buffalo chicken mixture and bake for an additional 10 minutes or until the filling is bubbling.

Tips for success

• Choose full-fat, brick-style cream cheese – Opt for full-fat, brick-style cream cheese for the creamiest results. Avoid whipped cream cheese from a tub, as it has a higher water percentage, resulting in an undesirable texture.
• Room temperature cream cheese – This makes combining other ingredients easier, ensuring a smooth and even filling.
• Prepare filling in advance – Save time by preparing the filling up to 24 hours in advance. Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator, but allow it to sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes before filling the phyllo cups and baking. This step ensures the filling is easy to work with and maintains its delicious texture.
• Avoid premature filling – To prevent the phyllo dough from becoming soggy, refrain from filling the cups until right before baking. This ensures a crisp and delightful pastry texture.
• Monitor baking time – Keep a close eye on the baking process to avoid overcooking. The goal is to achieve a golden-brown appearance and bubbly filling without drying out the contents.

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2-3 days. Reheat in a 325-degree F oven until the filling is bubbling. I do not recommend reheating the cups in the microwave as the phyllo dough will become soggy.

The filling can be frozen for up to two months. The texture of the filling will change slightly and may be grainy after freezing due to the cream cheese, but it will still be delicious. Allow the mixture to thaw in the refrigerator and mix it well before filling the phyllo cups.

Buffalo Chicken Cups FAQs

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Looking for more easy appetizers?

Check out these delicious options.

• Easy Pigs in a Blanket
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Did you love these easy buffalo chicken bites? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

Buffalo Chicken Phyllo Cups – Easy Appetizer Recipe

Author: Mandy

Transform your appetizer game with these Buffalo Chicken Phyllo Cups, featuring a savory mix of shredded chicken, cream cheese, cheddar, and zesty buffalo sauce nestled in golden-baked phyllo cups. These handheld delights offer a perfect combination of heat and crispiness, making them a crowd-pleasing favorite for any occasion.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 10 minutes mins

Total Time 20 minutes mins

Course Appetizer

Cuisine American

Servings 30 Pieces

Calories

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• 30 pre-baked phyllo cups 2 (1.9 ounce packets)
• 1 cup shredded chicken
• 4 ounces cream cheese room temperature
• ⅓ cup cheddar cheese shredded
• ¼ cup buffalo sauce
• 2 tablespoons green onion minced

Instructions

 

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Arrange the phyllo cups on a large baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
• In a medium bowl, mix the chicken, cream cheese, cheddar, buffalo sauce, and green onions until well combined and no large chunks of cream cheese remain.
• Spoon the chicken mixture into the phyllo cups.
• Bake for 10-15 minutes or until the mixture is bubbling.
• Allow the cups to cool on the tray for 3-4 minutes before serving.

Notes

• Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2-3 days. Reheat in a 325-degree F oven until the filling is bubbling. I do not recommend reheating the cups in the microwave as the phyllo dough will become soggy.
• The filling can be frozen for up to two months. The texture of the filling will change slightly and may be grainy after freezing due to the cream cheese, but it will still be delicious. Allow the mixture to thaw in the refrigerator and mix it well before filling the phyllo cups.

Disclaimer: Nutrition information is estimated based on automated calculations and should be considered as an approximation. These estimates are provided as a courtesy. Please use your own brand’s nutritional values to verify accuracy.

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