WIN YOUR TAILGATE WITH MVP-LEVEL APPETIZERS

FAMILY FEATURES – Before the end zone dances and sideline celebrations, settling in for a winning game day experience starts with delicious foods. Whether your football parties take place at home, in the backyard or right outside the stadium, kicking it off with savory appetizers can get the crowd on its feet.

Keep your game plan simple this season and light up the scoreboard with fan favorites like dips and wings. These versions are both easy to prepare and can be enjoyed fresh or made in advance and kept warm or reheated to energize your fellow diehards.

Visit Culinary.net to find more touchdown-worthy tailgate recipes.

GAME DAY BUFFALO CHICKEN DIP

Servings: 3-4

• 2 cups shredded chicken

• 8 ounces cream cheese 

• 1/2 cup sour cream

• 1 1/2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, plus additional for topping, divided

• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder

• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

• 1 heavy pinch dried dill

• 1/2 cup hot sauce

• 2 green onions, chopped

• Blue cheese crumbles

• Chips 

• Vegetable sticks

Heat oven to 400 F. 

In bowl, mix shredded chicken, cream cheese, sour cream, 1 1/2 cups shredded cheese, onion powder, garlic powder and dried dill until combined. Add hot sauce; mix until combined.

Transfer mixture from bowl to oven-safe dish. Top with additional shredded cheese, to taste.

Bake until cheese is melted, approximately 15 minutes.

Top with blue cheese crumbles and chopped green onion.

Serve warm with chips and vegetable sticks.

GAME DAY TACO DIP

Prep time: 25 minutes • Cook time: 5 minutes • Servings: 12

• 1 pound ground beef

• 1 package (1 ounce) taco seasoning

• 1/4 cup water

• 2 tablespoons minced cilantro

• 1 can (16 ounces) refried beans, zesty salsa flavor

• 1 jar (16 ounces) thick and chunky salsa, medium or hot

• 2 cups guacamole

• 1/2 cup sour cream

• 3 packages (5 ounces each) Fresh Express Butter Supreme

• 1 1/2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese

• 1 cup tomatoes, chopped

• 1 can (2 1/4 ounces) sliced black olives, drained

• 1 package (14 ounces) tortilla chips

In skillet over medium-high heat, cook beef 5 minutes, or until no longer pink. Sprinkle with taco seasoning; mix well. Add water; cook 2 minutes, or until water is absorbed. Transfer to bowl; cool to room temperature. Add cilantro; mix well.

In 9-inch pie plate, evenly spread refried beans; top with seasoned ground beef and salsa. Add spoonfuls of guacamole across top of salsa then carefully spread to smooth.

Place sour cream in small resealable bag; cut off corner. Pipe sour cream to create football shape on guacamole.

Put pie plate in center of 15-by-18-inch tray. Arrange salad blend around pie plate. Top with cheddar cheese, tomatoes and olives. Serve with tortilla chips.

GAME DAY CHICKEN WINGS

Total time: 50 minutes • Servings: 4

• 1/2 cup butter, cubed

• 1/3 cup flour

• 2 teaspoons paprika

• 1 teaspoon garlic powder

• 1 teaspoon salt

• 1 teaspoon black pepper

• 10 chicken wingettes, thawed

• Dipping sauces (optional)

• Fresh parsley (optional)

Preheat oven to 425 F.

Line baking sheet with foil. Arrange butter cubes on foil.

In medium bowl, combine flour, paprika, garlic powder, salt and pepper.

Coat both sides of wings in flour mixture then evenly space among butter cubes on baking sheet. 

Bake wings 30 minutes.

Turn wings over and bake 15 minutes, or until crispy and fully cooked.

Serve with dipping sauces and sprinkle with fresh parsley, if desired.