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A close-up of savory shredded chicken appetizers arranged on a platter.

Dynamic Duo Shredded Chicken Appetizers

These Dynamic Duo Shredded Chicken Appetizers offer two delicious ways to enjoy shredded chicken: creamy herb bites and zesty BBQ skewers. Perfect for entertaining or a quick snack, these appetizers are easy to prepare and full of flavor.
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Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings 12 servings
Calories 250 kcal

Equipment

  • Pot
  • Stand mixer (optional)
  • Medium bowl
  • Small skewers or toothpicks

Ingredients
  

Shredded Chicken

  • 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
  • 4 cups chicken broth or water
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1/2 tsp black peppercorns

Creamy Herb Chicken Bites

  • 2 cups shredded cooked chicken
  • 4 oz cream cheese, softened
  • 1/4 cup mayonnaise or Greek yogurt
  • 2 tbsp fresh chives, minced
  • 1 tbsp fresh parsley, minced
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 24 mini phyllo cups (found in the freezer aisle) or sturdy cracker/cucumber slices

Zesty BBQ Chicken Skewers

  • 1 cup shredded cooked chicken
  • 1/4 cup your favorite BBQ sauce
  • 1 tbsp lime juice
  • 1/4 cup red onion, finely diced
  • 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
  • Pinch red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 24 small skewers or toothpicks
  • for garnish Cherry tomatoes and cucumber chunks for garnish (optional)

Instructions
 

Shredded Chicken

  • Place chicken breasts/thighs in a pot with chicken broth (or water), bay leaf, and peppercorns; simmer for 15-20 minutes until chicken is cooked through.
  • Remove chicken from liquid, cool slightly, then shred using two forks or a stand mixer; discard bay leaf and peppercorns.

Creamy Herb Chicken Bites

  • In a medium bowl, combine 2 cups of shredded chicken with cream cheese, mayonnaise/Greek yogurt, chives, parsley, garlic powder, salt, and pepper; mix until well combined.
  • Spoon or pipe the chicken mixture into mini phyllo cups, or serve on sturdy crackers or cucumber slices, and garnish with extra chives if desired.

Zesty BBQ Chicken Skewers

  • In a separate bowl, combine the remaining 1 cup of shredded chicken with BBQ sauce, lime juice, diced red onion, chopped cilantro, and optional red pepper flakes; stir until evenly coated.
  • Thread the BBQ chicken mixture onto small skewers or toothpicks, optionally alternating with small cubes of cucumber or cherry tomatoes for garnish.

Notes

For a gluten-free option on the Creamy Herb Chicken Bites, serve the mixture on sturdy crackers or cucumber slices instead of phyllo cups. Adjust spice level in the Zesty BBQ Chicken Skewers by adding more or fewer red pepper flakes.