Best Buffalo Chicken Celery Sticks
I have to admit, even I’ve been one to turn up my nose at the celery sticks on a plateful of Buffalo Chicken Wings or Buffalo Cauliflower Bites.
Aren’t they just there for… color?!
But a few years ago I had the idea to turn that once-thought “garnish” into a vessel of spicy buffalo chicken goodness.
And y’all… these Buffalo Chicken Celery Sticks disappeared before my eyes!!
The crunch and mild coolness of the celery paired with the spicy heat of the buffalo sauce-coated chicken was a match made in heaven!
Now there’s not a single Super Bowl that goes by that I don’t make an enormous platter of these! They’re great for those on a low-carb diet or for the few still sticking to their New Year’s resolutions.
If you want even more easy game day appetizer ideas, check out these Healthy Super Bowl Recipes next!
Table of Contents
Ingredients
- Hot sauce. Grab a bottle of Frank’s Hot Sauce, or another buffalo variety at the grocery store. Or, whip up your own Buffalo Wing Sauce.
- Honey. You only need a little to balance out the spice of the sauce. Get some local honey if possible. You can also substitute with regular sugar or leave it out completely if on a low-carb or keto diet.
- Cream cheese. Full-fat cream cheese is best. Feel free to grab a dairy-free variety if needed.
- Chicken. A rotisserie chicken is quick and easy. You can make your own Instant Pot Shredded Chicken with chicken breasts or use leftover chicken, as well.
- Celery. One bunch of celery stalks is cut into short strips to hold the delicious chicken filling.
How to Make Buffalo Chicken Celery Sticks
Please see the recipe card below for ingredient amounts and more detailed instructions.
1. Make the Sauce
Combine the hot sauce, butter, honey, garlic, and salt in a medium saucepan. Bring it to a boil over medium heat.
Turn off the heat, then carefully whisk in the cream cheese. It’s ok if a few chunks remain, they’ll mix into the chicken.
2. Sauce the Chicken
Place the cooked chicken in a large bowl, then pour the sauce on top. Use a wooden spoon to toss until the chicken is completely coated.
3. Fill and Serve
After slicing the crunchy celery sticks into 2- to 3-inch long pieces, it’s time to fill them! Use a spoon to add some of the buffalo chicken mixture to each of the celery boats. Be careful not to overfill them.
Sprinkle some chopped green onions and add a drizzle of ranch dressing. Alternatively, serve the ranch on the side.
You can also serve this as a dip with sliced celery on the side.
Enjoy these buffalo chicken sticks warm or chilled, whichever you prefer.
FAQs
After doing a bit of research I found that people often use Frank’s Hot Sauce when they make buffalo chicken. Since I was a novice to this whole buffalo chicken thing, I went with what the majority suggested.
Celery provides the perfect crisp and cool balance to spicy, saucy buffalo chicken. You can get the best of both worlds with these buffalo chicken celery sticks!
More Gameday Appetizers
If you’re planning snacks for the big game, be sure to check out these awesome appetizer recipes next.
- Loaded Potato Skins
- Thai Chili Baked Wings
- Keto Sausage Balls
- Bacon Wrapped Jalapeno Poppers
- Grape Jelly Meatballs
- Pigs in a Blanket
- Sheet Pan Nachos
More Buffalo Chicken Recipes
I’m a fan of anything buffalo-flavored, and these recipes are the perfect way to enjoy all its tangy, spicy goodness!
- Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Meatballs
- Parmesan & Garlic Baked Chicken Wings
- Buffalo Cauliflower Bites
- Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Dip
- Buffalo Chicken Naan Pizza
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Buffalo Chicken Celery Sticks
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Ingredients
- ½ cup hot sauce such as Frank’s
- 6 Tbsp. butter
- 1 Tbsp. honey or sugar
- 1 clove garlic finely minced
- ¼ tsp. salt to taste
- 4 Tbsp. cream cheese cut into 4-6 pieces
- 4 cups chicken cooked, shredded
- 1 bunch celery cut into 2-3 inch long pieces
- Ranch optional
- Green onions optional
Instructions
- Make the Sauce: In a medium-sized saucepan over medium heat combine hot sauce, butter, honey, garlic and salt. Bring ingredients to a boil while whisking constantly. Once sauce is boiling, turn off the heat and add cream cheese. Whisk until combined. (It’s ok if some small clumps remain.)½ cup hot sauce such as Frank’s, 6 Tbsp. butter, 1 Tbsp. honey, 1 clove garlic, ¼ tsp. salt, 4 Tbsp. cream cheese
- Sauce the Chicken: Pour sauce over shredded chicken in a large bowl and toss until chicken is coated.4 cups chicken
- Fill and Serve: Fill each celery stick with 1-2 tablespoons of buffalo chicken. Top sticks with green onions and drizzle each with ranch dressing or serve on the side for dipping. Serve them immediately, while the chicken is still warm, or serve them chilled. If serving these chilled, wait until 1-2 hours before serving to assemble so the celery does not get soggy.1 bunch celery cut into 2-3 inch long pieces, Ranch, Green onions
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Video
Notes
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- Same size. Try your best to cut the celery sticks into similar lengths.
- Make it work. You can buy a bottle of hot sauce or easily make your own.
- You choose. This appetizer can be served either warm or cold.
- Top ’em off. Don’t forget the chopped green onions and the ranch dressing.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
I’ve made this recipe many times! The first time was because numerous people at the get together were doing keto, including myself, and this recipe checked that box. Huge hit…..not a morsel left! I usually double the recipe as well as the cream cheese. I’ve made this using a rotisserie chicken to cut down on the time. Have also made it with canned chicken. We love the hot Buffalo Chicken Dip but this is a different twist on that. And since it’s summer having a cool snack that’s filled with lots of protein is always good! 😉
Yay! So happy to hear you enjoyed the recipe! I’m so happy you found a way to make a big batch to serve your family. Thanks so much for taking the time to leave a comment and rating!
Have you tried this with canned chicken? Thanks.
I have not, but I’m sure it would taste incredible, Lisa!