Veggie Chicken Cheese Poppers With Berry Sauce

Total Time: 45 mins Preparation Time: 30 mins Cook Time: 15 mins

Ingredients

• 8 ounces reduced-fat cream cheese, softened and cut up into cubes
• 4 ounces reduced-fat cheddar cheese, shredded
• 1 red bell pepper, chopped fine
• 1 carrot, peeled and chopped fine
• 1/2 cup kernel corn, drained well if canned (thawed if frozen)
• 1 green onion, chopped fine
• 2 tablespoons hot sauce (we use texas pete)
• 1 large boneless skinless chicken breast, cooked and shredded fine
• kosher salt, to taste
• black pepper, to taste
• panko breadcrumbs, to coat (bread crumbs)
• 1/2 cup jam (blueberry or your choice)
• 2 tablespoons berry juice (cherry or your choice)

Recipe

• 1 in a large bowl, mix cheeses thoroughly. add remaining ingredients except panko. chill for 10 minutes or so if necessary to form balls easier.
• 2 to bake: heat oven to 425f degrees. using the palms of your hands, roll the mixture into 1 1/2" sized balls (keep them bite-sized). roll each ball into the panko to coat evenly.
• 3 place each ball on a greased baking sheet (or use parchment or a silpat). bake for 15-20 minutes. allow to cool for 5 minutes then transfer to a serving platter in a single layer. serve with sauce.
• 4 to fry: place 1 cup flour, 3 eggs, and 1 1/2 cup panko into 3 separate bowls. roll each ball in the flour, then the egg and then the panko. set aside in a single layer (baking sheet works great).
• 5 heat a deep fryer (or large pot) filled with 2-3" of vegetable oil to 350°f fry the poppers in batches (do not crowd them). cook for 1-2 minutes per batch. drain on paper towels. serve with sauce.
• 6 berry sauce: heat jam and juice in a small saucepan. simmer down to desired consistency (that of a dipping sauce). serve sauce warm.