To start off my “5 Party Foods from Around the World” series, I made chicken and cheese balls, a rich Canadian creation the size of a softball. Stuffed with shredded and chopped chicken breast, spices of your choice, cream cheese, cheddar cheese, bacon bits, chives, and ranch seasoning, this massive dish is perfect for parties or large gatherings. To top it off, it is rolled in nuts, breadcrumbs, or grated cheese. Talk about a decadent party food!

This recipe comes from Emma in Halifax, Novia Scotia in Canada. Where she lives, chicken and cheese balls are a fun finger food for any occasion. Emma’s mother used to make these as a special birthday party treat, as she knew how much Emma loved them. With generally accessible ingredients, a quick and easy preparation process, and a plethora of available variations, chicken and cheese balls are a versatile food that can be enjoyed by large groups.

When making this dish, note that you can use canned chicken if you don’t have fresh chicken breast on hand. Also, be sure to use the entire packet of ranch seasoning! The final product was immensely creamy and delicious when I made it, and I had fun scooping it onto bread and crackers. In addition, the ratio of chicken to other ingredients was perfect. 

However, I do think you could make a bunch of tiny chicken and cheese balls instead of one massive ball! I thought this would be more party-friendly, and I even made some smaller ones to bring to a party myself. But either way, chicken and cheese balls are sure to be a hit at your next get-together.

If you’re vegetarian, you can remove the chicken and add a ton of herbs if desired. But I must say that this dish is a lost hope for lactose-intolerant folk; the creaminess if the heart of chicken and cheese balls! I hope you’ll try it and share with many, many people—after all, there’s more than enough to go around.