Melted Mozzarella Chicken Bombs (Printable Version)

Golden fried chicken filled with gooey mozzarella and spices, served with creamy dipping sauce.

# Ingredients:

→ Chicken

01 - 450 grams boneless skinless chicken breasts, thick cut
02 - 1 teaspoon salt
03 - 0.5 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

→ Cheese

04 - 150 grams shredded mozzarella cheese

→ Coating

05 - 1 large egg, beaten
06 - 100 grams panko breadcrumbs
07 - 0.5 teaspoon garlic powder
08 - 0.5 teaspoon onion powder

→ Frying

09 - 450 milliliters canola or vegetable oil, for deep frying

→ Serving

10 - Ranch dressing, chilled, for dipping

# Steps:

01 - Pour canola or vegetable oil to a depth of approximately 4 cm in a deep skillet or fryer. Heat the oil to 175°C and test by dropping in a breadcrumb which should sizzle immediately.
02 - Place the chicken breasts between sheets of plastic wrap and pound with a mallet or rolling pin to about 1.25 cm thickness. Season both sides evenly with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder.
03 - Place a generous mound of shredded mozzarella on one half of each flattened chicken breast. Fold the chicken over the cheese and pinch the edges tightly to seal the filling completely.
04 - Dip each chicken bundle in beaten egg to thoroughly coat, then press into the panko breadcrumbs ensuring all surfaces and seams are well covered to prevent leakage during frying.
05 - Carefully lower a few bundles at a time into the hot oil using tongs without overcrowding. Fry each side for 3 to 4 minutes until the crust is golden brown and crisp, turning gently to ensure even cooking.
06 - Remove fried bundles with a slotted spoon and place on paper towels to absorb excess oil. Transfer to a serving plate, drizzle ranch dressing on top, and present extra dressing for dipping while still hot.

# Notes:

01 - Use freshly shredded mozzarella for optimal melt and stretch. Avoid overfilling and ensure edges are sealed tightly to prevent cheese leakage during frying.
02 - Maintain oil temperature at 175°C to achieve a crispy exterior without greasy absorption.
03 - Leftover bombs can be refrigerated for up to 2 days. Reheat in an oven or air fryer to restore crispiness.