Confession time: I love baseball. Phillies pitchers and catchers report in just a few days. But it’s hard not to get caught up in Eagles fever these days. So in anticipation of the Super Bowl this Sunday, I wanted to make some game food. These sound weird and junkie, but they’re actually very good, and an easy finger food while you’re rooting for the men in green.
INGREDIENTS
3-4 cups of Cheetos Puffs
1⁄3 cup Parmesan cheese, grated fine
1⁄2 cup flour
1⁄2 teaspoon salt
1 egg
1tablespoon water
2 boneless skinless chicken tenders
vegetable oil or canola oil (if you fry these)
Aioli
1/4 cup sour cream
1/4 cup mayonnaise
2 tablespoons ranch seasoning
1/2 teaspoon each salt & pepper
1 minced garlic clove
Sriracha
METHOD
Mix the aioli ingredients in a small bowl, adding as much Sriracha as you want heat. Set aside.
Place the Cheetos in your food processor or blender and process into small crumbs, not too fine. Add the Parmesan Cheese and pour onto a plate.
Cut the chicken into finger-sized pieces. Coat chicken breasts in flour & salt.
Combine egg & water. Beat until well combined. Dip floured Chicken in egg mixture.
Coat the chicken in the Cheeto mixture.
Heat oil in a deep-sided pot to 350, using a candy thermometer. Keep a constant watch on the temperature and adjust during frying time. The temp will go down quickly if you add too much chicken at one time.
Don’t crowd the pan, do a few at a time. The fingers should fry for about 6 minutes. If they’re floating to the top, turn them halfway.
Drain on a rack, in the oven at a low temp if you’ll be serving them soon.
Serve with aioli.
I got to thinking, after I made these, that they may have been better with the spicier version of Cheetos - called “Flaming Hots.”
So of course, I ran out and bought some to test it out on some chicken thighs. These are much denser than the regular Cheetos and didn’t yield the same kind of crust that the fingers had. It was also quite spicy. So I’d stick with the original.
With food and friends, I know I’ll have a great time on game day, and I hope you do too.
And since I learned only recently what “offense” and “defense” are, I’m hoping I can learn a bit more.