By: Jacqueline Gomes, RDN, MBA

Who doesn’t love Big Game Snack Time?! Keep your fans happy with a variety of filling snacks. If you’re hosting for the Big Game, here are some ideas for some fun bite-sized finger foods!

• Chicken breast is a lean, high protein option that is versatile enough to go from main dish to bite-sized finger food.
• Before half time starts, preheat your oven to make warm and hearty snacks. Melt Cracker Barrel Cheese over crackers, veggies, or hot sandwiches.
• Prepared pasta sauces like Rao’s marinara is an easy solution to quick pasta dishes and chicken parmesan bites! New recipe inside the Eat Well Blog.
• Keep your “team” satisfied with hearty and nutritious snacks such as nuts (almonds, peanuts, pistachios & walnuts), cheese, dried fruits (apricots, cranberries, raisins), raw veggies with light ranch dressing and popcorn!
• Dips don’t have to be loaded with unhealthy fats, choose hummus, guacamole, salsa and bean dip – pair with raw veggies, whole grain crackers and baked corn chips.
• Have a small snack before the party starts such as yogurt, a few nuts or fruit. This will ensure you don’t start the Big Game festivities with a ravenous appetite and end up overeating.

Mini Baked Chicken Parm Bites

Prep: 10 minutes

Bake: 15 minutes

Makes: about 20 bites

Ingredients:

• 1 pound chicken Breast, cut into 2-inch pieces
• Salt & pepper
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 cup seasoned panko bread crumbs
• 1 egg, beaten with 1 tablespoon of water
• Cracker Barrel Chunk Cheese, gouda, asiago, white cheddar sliced or shredded
• ½ cup Rao’s Marinara sauce
• 20 Sandwich picks or large tooth picks
• Fresh basil
• Cooking spray
• Olive oil

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees F. Line up breading station: 1 bowl flour, 1 bowl beaten egg, 1 bowl panko bread crumbs.
2. Season chicken with salt, pepper and garlic powder.
3. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and spray liberally with cooking spray.
4. One by one, dip each piece of chicken into flour, egg and panko in this order and place on a baking sheet. Repeat until all chicken is breaded. Spray top of chicken with cooking spray or alternatively drizzle with olive oil.
5. Bake for 8 -9 minutes, turning over half way through. Chicken should be crisp and cooked through.
6. Remove chicken from oven, top each chicken bite with a teaspoon of marinara, followed by slice of cheese.
7. Place back in oven and bake for another 5 minutes or until cheese is melted. Pierce each chicken bite with a toothpick, top with fresh basil and serve immediately.

Make ahead tip: Chicken can be prepared through step 4. Place in refrigerator until ready to bake.  

Recipe by: Jacqueline Gomes, RDN, MBA