If you’re craving a snack that’s bursting with flavor yet refreshingly light, the Buffalo Chicken Celery Sticks Recipe is an absolute winner. This dish perfectly combines the spicy tang of buffalo wing sauce with the crisp coolness of celery, creating a mouthwatering balance of textures and tastes. It’s an effortless crowd-pleaser, whether you’re hosting a casual get-together or simply want a delicious protein-packed snack. Each bite delivers a creamy, zesty punch that will have you reaching for more, making this recipe an instant favorite in my kitchen and hopefully yours too.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These ingredients are simple, straightforward, and come together beautifully to create the signature Buffalo Chicken Celery Sticks Recipe flavor. Each addition plays a key role—whether it’s adding spice, creaminess, crunch, or a burst of freshness.
- ½ cup Buffalo wing sauce: This brings that iconic spicy, tangy kick that defines the dish.
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder: Adds a subtle depth of savory flavor without overpowering the other ingredients.
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder: Enhances the chicken with a mild sweetness and warmth.
- 2 oz cream cheese, softened: Creates a rich, creamy texture that balances the heat perfectly.
- 2 cups shredded cooked chicken: The hearty base of the recipe, providing protein and substance.
- 12 celery sticks, washed and trimmed: Offering a crisp, refreshing vehicle to hold all that tasty chicken salad.
- ¼ cup blue cheese crumbles: For that sharp, tangy contrast that complements the buffalo sauce beautifully.
- 3-4 green onions, diced: Adds a fresh, mild onion bite and a pop of color to finish off each stick.
How to Make Buffalo Chicken Celery Sticks Recipe
Step 1: Make the Buffalo Chicken Salad
Start by combining the buffalo wing sauce, garlic powder, and onion powder in a saucepan over medium heat. Bring the mix to a gentle bubble, then stir in the softened cream cheese until the sauce is silky and smooth. Remove from heat and fold in the shredded chicken, ensuring every piece is luxuriously coated in the spicy, creamy sauce. This step lays the flavor foundation for the dish, infusing the chicken with all the classic buffalo goodness.
Step 2: Chill for Flavor
Once mixed, transfer the buffalo chicken salad to the refrigerator and let it chill for about one hour. Chilling is key—it allows the flavors to marry and develop fully, while also firming up the creamy texture so that it’s easier to spoon onto the celery sticks without mess.
Step 3: Assemble the Celery Sticks
When the chicken salad is chilled and ready, generously spread it along each of the washed and trimmed celery sticks. Make sure to fill them up nicely for a perfect bite every time. These crunchy boats deliver a delightful contrast to the creamy, spicy filling.
How to Serve Buffalo Chicken Celery Sticks Recipe
Garnishes
The classic way to garnish these celery sticks is with crumbled blue cheese and diced green onions. The blue cheese adds a salty, tangy note that cuts through the spice, while the green onions bring freshness and a burst of color that makes the dish pop visually and taste-wise.
Side Dishes
For a fuller snack or appetizer spread, consider pairing the Buffalo Chicken Celery Sticks with cooling sides like ranch or blue cheese dressing, crunchy chips, or even a crisp garden salad. These pairings enhance the flavors and provide a nice variety of textures.
Creative Ways to Present
Get creative by serving the stuffed celery sticks on a platter lined with lettuce leaves or nestling them in a bed of crushed ice for parties. You can also add slices of avocado or a drizzle of ranch for an extra indulgent twist. Presentation is part of the fun and makes this treat even more inviting!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you find yourself with leftovers (though that’s rare!), store the buffalo chicken salad and celery sticks separately. Keep the salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two days to preserve freshness. The celery stays crisp best when stored in water or wrapped in plastic separately.
Freezing
Because of the celery’s high water content, freezing the assembled Buffalo Chicken Celery Sticks Recipe is not recommended, as the celery will lose its crunch and become watery. However, you can freeze the buffalo chicken salad by itself in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months. Just thaw in the fridge before serving.
Reheating
To reheat the chicken salad, gently warm it in a microwave or on the stovetop just until heated through. Stir occasionally for even temperature. Avoid overheating to keep the cream cheese from separating. Then spoon it onto fresh celery to maintain that perfect crisp bite.
FAQs
Can I use fresh cooked chicken instead of shredded chicken?
Absolutely! Freshly cooked chicken breast or thighs can be shredded or finely chopped before mixing with the buffalo sauce. Just make sure it’s cooled before combining to keep the creamy texture of the dish intact.
What can I substitute for blue cheese?
If blue cheese is not your thing, feta or goat cheese work wonderfully as alternatives. They still provide that tangy, crumbly texture and complement the buffalo flavors nicely without overwhelming the palate.
Is there a way to make this recipe less spicy?
Yes, you can reduce the heat by using a mild buffalo wing sauce or mixing the buffalo sauce with a little bit of plain Greek yogurt or ranch dressing before adding cream cheese. It softens the spice while keeping the flavor vibrant.
Can this recipe be made vegan or vegetarian?
For a vegan version, swap the shredded chicken with shredded jackfruit or chickpeas, use a vegan buffalo sauce and cream cheese alternative, and top with vegan blue cheese or a nut-based cheese crumbles. The celery sticks provide the perfect crunch to all these delicious variations.
How long does it take to prepare this recipe?
The hands-on preparation is quite quick—about 15 minutes to cook the sauce and assemble everything. The hour-long chilling time is important for flavor and texture but requires no active effort, making this recipe both easy and impressive.
Final Thoughts
This Buffalo Chicken Celery Sticks Recipe captures everything you want in a snack: spicy, creamy, crunchy, and refreshing all at once. It’s easy to prepare, requires simple ingredients, and delivers big on flavor, making it perfect for any occasion. I truly hope you give it a try and fall in love with this fun and tasty way to enjoy buffalo chicken. Your taste buds will thank you!
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Buffalo Chicken Celery Sticks Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
Description
This Buffalo Chicken Celery Sticks recipe is a zesty, creamy appetizer perfect for game day or casual gatherings. Tender shredded chicken is coated in a spicy Buffalo wing sauce blended with cream cheese and aromatic spices, then served atop crisp celery sticks and garnished with tangy blue cheese crumbles and fresh green onions for a satisfying crunch and bold flavor combination.
Ingredients
Buffalo Chicken Salad
- ½ cup Buffalo wing sauce
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
- 2 oz cream cheese, softened
- 2 cups shredded cooked chicken
Assembly
- 12 celery sticks, washed and trimmed
- ¼ cup blue cheese crumbles
- 3–4 green onions, diced
Instructions
- Make Buffalo Chicken Sauce: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine the Buffalo wing sauce, garlic powder, and onion powder. Stir occasionally until the mixture is bubbling.
- Add Cream Cheese and Chicken: Stir in the softened cream cheese into the bubbling sauce until fully melted and smooth. Remove from heat and mix in the shredded cooked chicken thoroughly until it’s well coated with the sauce.
- Chill the Mixture: Transfer the buffalo chicken mixture to a bowl, cover it, and refrigerate for 1 hour. Chilling helps to meld the flavors and thickens the filling for easier assembly.
- Prepare Celery Sticks: While the chicken salad chills, wash and trim the celery sticks to prepare them as edible scoops for the chicken mixture.
- Assemble the Celery Sticks: Spread the chilled buffalo chicken salad evenly onto each celery stick, ensuring an even layer on each piece for balanced flavor.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle blue cheese crumbles and diced green onions over the assembled celery sticks to add a creamy tang and fresh bite. Serve immediately as a flavorful appetizer.
Notes
- To save time, use precooked rotisserie chicken shredded at home.
- For less spice, reduce amount of Buffalo wing sauce or opt for mild wing sauce.
- Can be made a few hours ahead and stored covered in refrigerator.
- For a dairy-free alternative, substitute cream cheese and blue cheese with vegan options.
- This recipe is great for parties and can be easily doubled to serve larger groups.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
