Ranch Chicken Sliders

Name: Ranch Chicken Sliders
Prep time: 2 h 45 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 2 h 55 min
Yield: 6 servings.
Ingredients: 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breast halves; 1 envelope ranch salad dressing mix; 1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, cubed; 2 cups crushed pretzels; 2 cups crushed regular or barbecue potato chips; 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese; 2 large eggs; 1 tablespoon 2% milk; 1 cup all-purpose flour; 1 teaspoon garlic salt; 1/2 teaspoon pepper; 1/4 teaspoon paprika; Oil for frying; 12 mini buns; Optional toppings: Lettuce, tomato, bacon and cheddar cheese

TOTAL TIME: Prep: 2-3/4 hours + chilling Cook: 10 min./batch YIELD: 6 servings.

When my grandson was younger, we always joked that nothing could make ranch chicken taste better. Then one day Avery’s eyes lit up and he suggested we fry it! Our fried chicken burger was born. You won’t believe how good these little sliders are. —Tamara Hire, Decatur, Illinois

Ingredients

1 pound boneless skinless chicken breast halves
1 envelope ranch salad dressing mix
1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, cubed
2 cups crushed pretzels
2 cups crushed regular or barbecue potato chips
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 large eggs
1 tablespoon 2% milk
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon garlic salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/4 teaspoon paprika
Oil for frying
12 mini buns
Optional toppings: Lettuce, tomato, bacon and cheddar cheese

Directions

1. Place chicken in a 3- or 4-qt. slow cooker. Sprinkle with dressing mix; top with cream cheese. Cook, covered, on low until a thermometer inserted in chicken reads 165°, 2-1/2 to 3-1/2 hours (mixture may appear curdled). Meanwhile, place pretzels, chips and Parmesan in a food processor; pulse until combined. Reserve 1 cup for sliders. Transfer remaining to a shallow bowl.
2. Remove chicken from slow cooker; shred with 2 forks. Return chicken to slow cooker; stir to combine. Add reserved 1 cup pretzel mixture; cool completely. Refrigerate at least 30 minutes.
3. In a shallow bowl, whisk eggs and milk. Combine flour, garlic salt, pepper and paprika in another shallow bowl.
4. Shape chicken mixture into twelve 1/2-in.-thick patties. Dip patties in flour mixture to coat both sides; shake off excess. Dip in egg mixture, then in remaining pretzel mixture, patting to help coating adhere.
5. In a cast-iron or other heavy skillet, heat 1/4 in. of oil to 375°. Fry sliders, a few at a time, until golden brown, 3-4 minutes on each side. Drain on paper towels. Serve on buns with toppings as desired.

Nutrition Facts

2 sliders: 705 calories, 40g fat (12g saturated fat), 138mg cholesterol, 1299mg sodium, 59g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 2g fiber), 29g protein.