Chicken Cheese Ball Recipe (2024)

Chicken Cheese Ball always made an appearance around my house growing up. Especially around the holidays, whenever Mama hosted a shower, or for other special occasions, her chicken cheese ball was sure to requested.

Chicken Cheese Ball Recipe (1)

It is definitely one of the easiest recipes to toss together when entertaining, which probably explains why she has always loved to make it through the years.

I just remember being excited when it was finally time to serve her chicken cheese ball at whatever event she was hosting so that I could have a bite. She’d usually prepare it the evening before, or even earlier, and there it would be, taunting me in the refrigerator until time for her party. Talk about tempting!

Chicken Cheese Ball Recipe (2)

Now that I’m older, I’m the one keeping the cheese ball covered in the refrigerator and begging my family not to dive into it too early. I probably should learn to just make two of them, one for entertaining and one for my family to enjoy.

Chicken Cheese Ball Recipe (3)

Mama’s chicken cheese ball recipes are legendary in our family. The one I’m sharing today is her classic version that we all loved. I’ll have to share some of her other chicken cheese ball recipes soon so that you can give them a try, too. They are out of this world.

Here are a few tips for making her chicken cheese ball ahead of time.

Have all of the ingredients at room temperature before you begin mixing them. Then, you can easily stir all of the ingredients together with a wooden spoon or spatula.

Have a large piece of plastic wrap ready for wrapping the chicken cheese ball for chilling as you begin mixing your ingredients together. Then, just pour your cheese ball mixture onto the center of the wrap and form it into a ball.

Press the chopped pecans onto the cheese ball before it is refrigerated as they will adhere better to the outside of the chicken cheese ball once it is chilled.

Chicken Cheese Ball Recipe (4)

So, be sure to pick up the ingredients for this recipe if you don’t already have them in your pantry so that you can make this over the holidays. It’s perfect to pull out of the refrigerator to snack on anytime of the day.

Chicken Cheese Ball Recipe (5)

Here’s Mama’s Chicken Cheese Ball recipe. I can’t wait to hear how you love it.

Chicken Cheese Ball Recipe (6)

PinPrintSave

Chicken Cheese Ball Recipe

Robyn Stone

5 from 12 votes

Chicken Cheese Ball makes an easy, elegant dish when entertaining. This family favorite chicken cheese ball recipe can be made up to three days ahead.

Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Total Time: 10 minutes minutes

Servings: 12

Ingredients

  • 1 (12-ounce) can chicken, white meat only preferred
  • 2 (8-ounce packages) cream cheese, room temperature
  • 1/2 cup chopped onion, or 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon Kosher salt
  • 2 cups chopped pecans
  • crackers and fruit, for serving

Instructions

  • Mix together chicken, cream cheese, onion or onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and 1/2 cup of chopped pecans in a medium mixing bowl.

  • Pour chicken cheese ball mixture into the center of a large piece of plastic wrap. Using plastic wrap, press chicken cheese ball mixture to form a ball.

  • Press remaining chopped pecans onto top and sides of chicken cheese ball.

  • Wrap with plastic wrap and store in the refrigerator for 1 hour up to 3 days before serving.

  • Serve with crackers and fruit.

Nutrition

Calories: 269kcal | Carbohydrates: 6g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 25g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Cholesterol: 45mg | Sodium: 256mg | Potassium: 86mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 13IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 15mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Join today & start saving your favorite recipes

Create an account to easily save your favorite recipes.

Save recipe

Enjoy!
Robyn xo

Chicken Cheese Ball Recipe (7)

Categorized as:30 Minutes or Less Recipes, All Recipes, Appetizers, By Cooking Style, By Special Diets, Christmas Recipes, Cooking, Egg-Free Recipes, Game Day Recipes, Gluten-Free Recipes, Grain-Free Recipes, Holiday and Occasion Recipes, No Cook Recipes, Recipes, Shower Recipes, Simple Recipes, Southern Favorites, Sugar-Free Recipes

Welcome to Add A Pinch

About Robyn

Robyn Stone is a cookbook author, wife, mom, and passionate home cook. Her tested and trusted recipes give readers the confidence to cook recipes the whole family will love. Robyn has been featured on Food Network, People, Southern Living, and more.

Read more about Robyn

Best Swedish Meatballs Recipe

30 mins

Crispy Baked Buffalo Chicken Wings Recipe

1 hr

How to Make Guacamole

5 mins

Perfect Queso Dip Recipe

5 mins

Chicken Cheese Ball Recipe (2024)

FAQs

How do you thicken a cheese ball? ›

Your cheese ball is too runny: Once you have added all the extras, and it's all mixed in well, if the texture is more salad dressing-like than something you might spread on a bagel, you can tighten it up easily by adding unsalted butter, one tablespoon at a time, mixing before you add more.

Why is my cheese ball crumbly? ›

When making cheese balls, not all cheeses are created equal. It's best to skip those very firm cheeses that require grating, like Parmesan, or others with dry, crumbly texture, like cotija. Because of their texture, these types of cheese don't blend as well to yield a smooth cheese ball.

What are cheese balls made of? ›

Cheese balls are traditionally made with two kinds of cheese – cream cheese (or another soft cheese like quark cheese, mascarpone or ricotta) and a grated semi-soft or semi-firm cheese like cheddar, colby cheese, monterey jack cheese, or muenster.

Can you freeze a chicken cheese ball? ›

Yes! Cheese balls freeze quite well. Again, it's best to wrap the cheese ball in one layer of plastic wrap, then one layer of aluminum foil. Freeze for up to four weeks.

What does adding cornstarch to cheese do? ›

For a cheese dip or sauce, the addition of cornstarch serves a similar function: Starch molecules absorb water and expand, not only thickening the liquid phase of the sauce, but also physically preventing the proteins from binding into long, tangled strands and the fats from separating out and pooling.

What does cornstarch do to cheese? ›

Cheese Sauce, Take 1: Cornstarch, Stovetop

This helps the entire mixture stay smooth and emulsified, resulting in a creamy sauce. He recommends tossing the shredded cheese with the cornstarch before cooking so it is evenly dispersed and does not form clumps when cooked.

How do you firm up a cheeseball? ›

Cover the cheeseball in cling wrap and refrigerate for about 1 hour to allow it to firm up. Take it out of the refrigerator about 20 minutes before serving to allow it to soften just slightly.

How do you make cheese less crumbly? ›

Switching to a fresh supply can often resolve the problem. If you are using fresh milk, the next likely culprit is the cultures used to make the cheese. The fastest way to resolve an issue with acidity is to reduce the amount of culture used in the cheesemaking process.

How long will a homemade cheese ball last in the refrigerator? ›

Storing in Fridge: If you start with fresh ingredients, you can store the cheese ball in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. Cover any leftovers with plastic wrap and store in an airtight container. How to Freeze: I prefer a freshly made cheese ball, BUT you can freeze cheese balls.

Why are cheese balls addicting? ›

Cheese contains casomorphins , a group of opiods that traverse the blood-brain barrier where they produce a mild feeling of pleasure by binding to dopamine receptors in the brain. Craving of this sensation is a definitional element of addiction.

Can you eat leftover chicken balls cold? ›

Yes cold chicken is safe to eat, if it's been kept cold. Some lemon while it's cooking, or squeezed on afterward will help preserve it.

Can chicken balls be reheated? ›

The best way to reheat our Traditional Chicken Balls is. by air frying them at home! This way it stays juicy on. the inside and crispy on the outside!

How do you keep cheese balls fresh? ›

Wrapping and storing a cheese ball in the fridge will help hold its shape, prevent it from crumbling, and keep the cheese from drying out. Furthermore, wrapping the cheese ball in aluminum foil will provide additional support and stop the cheese from absorbing odors from other foods in the fridge.

What to do if your cheese sauce won't thicken? ›

Egg yolks can be a magical thickener. Whisk some of the thin sauce into an egg yolk in a separate bowl, then whisk the egg yolk mixture back into the sauce over low heat to let it do its thing. This method is called tempering—it prevents the egg yolk from curdling when stirred into a sauce over heat.

How can I thicken my cheese sauce? ›

Egg yolk. Grated cheese. Grated cheese, such as cheddar or parmesan, can also act as a thickener in a cheese sauce and becomes a great binding agent in the cooking process.

Why is my can cheese runny? ›

As cheese is pushed out of the can, shear rate increases causing a decrease in viscosity and higher flow rates of the material. In this case, the cheese behaves more as a fluid.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Neely Ledner

Last Updated:

Views: 6025

Rating: 4.1 / 5 (62 voted)

Reviews: 93% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Neely Ledner

Birthday: 1998-06-09

Address: 443 Barrows Terrace, New Jodyberg, CO 57462-5329

Phone: +2433516856029

Job: Central Legal Facilitator

Hobby: Backpacking, Jogging, Magic, Driving, Macrame, Embroidery, Foraging

Introduction: My name is Neely Ledner, I am a bright, determined, beautiful, adventurous, adventurous, spotless, calm person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.