Delicious Chicken Pumpkins: 8 Amazing Recipes to Try

Delicious Chicken Pumpkins: A Fun Twist on Fried Chicken

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Prepare your chicken by cutting deep slits crosswise into each breast, then slice them in half lengthwise.
Mix the buttermilk, 2 tsp of salt, and ¼ tsp of pepper in a large bowl. Add the chicken and toss to coat thoroughly. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or up to overnight.
Cut the mozzarella sticks in half crosswise and freeze them until solid, about 2 hours.
Heat 3–4 inches of vegetable oil in a Dutch oven until it reaches 350°F. Set a rack over a baking sheet to catch excess oil after frying.
Trim the tops from the celery and cut them into 8 one-inch pieces.
Pulse the cheddar crackers with 1 tsp of salt in a food processor until finely ground. Transfer to a bowl.
Remove the chicken from the buttermilk, letting the excess drip off. Coat each piece in the crushed cracker crumbs and secure with a toothpick around a frozen mozzarella piece.
Fry the Chicken Pumpkins in batches for about 4 minutes until golden brown and cooked through (internal temp should be 160°F).
Insert the celery stems into the top of each chicken piece for a festive touch and serve hot with ranch sauce.