BBQ Chicken Grits Bites

Name: BBQ Chicken Grits Bites
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 2-1/2 dozen.
Ingredients: 2 cups 2% milk; 3/4 cup quick-cooking grits; 1/4 teaspoon salt; 1/8 teaspoon pepper; 4 ounces crumbled goat cheese, divided; 1/4 cup apricot preserves; 1/4 cup barbecue sauce; 1-1/2 cups chopped rotisserie chicken; 3 green onions, thinly sliced

I love grits and barbecued chicken, so I decided to combine them into a jaunty appetizer. You can also use shredded pork instead of chicken. —Jamie Jones, Madison, Georgia

Ingredients

2 cups 2% milk
3/4 cup quick-cooking grits
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
4 ounces crumbled goat cheese, divided
1/4 cup apricot preserves
1/4 cup barbecue sauce
1-1/2 cups chopped rotisserie chicken
3 green onions, thinly sliced

Directions

Preheat oven to 350°. Grease 30 mini-muffin cups.
In a large saucepan, bring milk to a boil. Slowly stir in grits, salt and pepper. Reduce heat to medium-low; cook, covered, until thickened, about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in half of the cheese. Spoon 1 tablespoon mixture into each prepared muffin cup.
In a bowl, mix preserves and barbecue sauce; toss with chicken. Spoon about 1 teaspoon chicken mixture into each cup; press lightly into grits.
Bake until heated through, 15-20 minutes. Top with remaining cheese; sprinkle with green onions. Cool 5 minutes before removing from pans. Serve warm.