When the Super Bowl, March Madness, or World Series is on TV, I’m not paying attention to the game. There’s only one thing that has my undivided attention, and that’s the snacks. And what’s a game-day spread without chicken wings, tenders, and potstickers?
Of course, these chicken appetizers have a life outside of the arena. Serve a platter of chicken meatballs for a holiday happy hour or make a batch of chicken nachos for a casual get-together with friends.
Our Best Chicken Appetizers
1. Greek Chicken Meatballs
Every holiday party needs a meatball appetizer. Usually, it’s Swedish meatballs, but we love this swap—chicken meatballs mixed with dried oregano, dried mint, and crumbled feta. They’re served alongside, what else, but a Greek yogurt sauce.
2. Dry-Rubbed Chicken Wings With Barbecue Sauce
Nearly a dozen dried spices (you probably have most of them in your pantry already) are mixed together to create a dry rub for chicken wings. They’re roasted in the oven and served alongside a homemade barbecue sauce.
3. Chicken Potstickers
These simple potstickers from Molly Yeh are a favorite. The wrappers are made with homemade dough, but it’s easy to make and even more satisfying than store-bought wrappers.
4. Mark Bittman’s Minimalist Buffalo Chicken Wings
Most recipes for Buffalo wings call for deep-frying the meat, but that’s messy and potentially a fire hazard. Instead, try these genius broiled chicken wings tossed in homemade Buffalo sauce made with hot sauce, butter, vinegar, and garlic.
5. Super (Bowl) Chicken & Black Bean Nachos
This is the MVP of chicken appetizers and perfect for big gatherings. In addition to being super crowd-friendly, it’s customizable with your favorite nacho toppings.
6. Red Curry Chicken Fingers With Crispy Onion Breading
Amp up the flavor of chicken fingers—one of our all-time favorite chicken appetizers—by dipping them in yogurt and Thai red curry paste, then rolling them in panko and fried onions. They’re baked on a hot sheet pan with butter and oil for a crispy, flavorful result.
7. Malaysian Satay With Peanut Sauce
The key to really good chicken satay is the char, which adds both texture and flavor to the meat. The spicy, savory peanut sauce for dipping makes it even better.
8. Tuscan Chicken Liver Crostini (Crostini di Fegatini)
This classic Tuscan antipasto wouldn’t be complete without crostini di fegatini. It’s a salty chicken appetizer that transports you straight to Italy.
9. Buffalo Chicken Potato Skins
Two game-day appetizers—Buffalo chicken wings and loaded potato skins—come together in one bite. It’s the perfect combination of flavors and textures.
10. Persian Grilled Chicken Kabobs
The secret to these chicken kabobs is a saffron-yogurt marinade that gives the meat a sunny hue, tenderness, and a subtle floral flavor.
