Tailgate parties are all about great food and fun times with friends and family. In this recipe, we’re going to take your tailgate party to the next level with some delicious and crowd-pleasing dishes. From creamy chili dip to savory chicken and waffle sliders, and crispy loaded nachos, these recipes will have everyone coming back for more. Let’s get started!
Ingredients for Tailgate Party Food:
Chili Dip:
- 1 can (15 ounces) chili with no beans
- 1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup chopped green onions
- Tortilla chips, for serving
Chicken & Waffle Sliders:
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 cup buttermilk
- Vegetable oil, for frying
- 8 frozen mini waffles, toasted
- Maple syrup, for serving
Loaded Nachos:
- 1 bag (about 10 ounces) tortilla chips
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 can (15 ounces) black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 cup diced tomatoes
- 1/2 cup sliced black olives
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/4 cup sliced pickled jalapeños
How to Make Tailgate Party Food:
Chili Dip:
- In a medium saucepan, heat the chili over medium heat until heated through.
- Add the cream cheese and cheddar cheese, stirring until melted and well combined.
- Stir in the green onions.
- Serve the chili dip warm with tortilla chips.
Chicken & Waffle Sliders:
- Preheat the oven to 200°F (93°C).
- Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper.
- In a shallow dish, whisk together the flour, paprika, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper.
- Place the buttermilk in another shallow dish.
- Dip each chicken breast in the flour mixture, then in the buttermilk, and again in the flour mixture, shaking off any excess.
- In a large skillet, heat about 1 inch of vegetable oil over medium-high heat.
- Fry the chicken breasts until golden brown and cooked through, about 5-6 minutes per side.
- Transfer the chicken to a paper towel-lined plate to drain, then transfer to the oven to keep warm.
- To assemble the sliders, place a piece of fried chicken on a mini waffle, drizzle with maple syrup, and top with another mini waffle.
Loaded Nachos:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (177°C).
- Spread the tortilla chips in an even layer on a baking sheet.
- Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese over the chips.
- Scatter the black beans, diced tomatoes, and sliced black olives over the cheese.
- Bake for 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Remove from the oven and sprinkle with chopped cilantro.
- Serve the loaded nachos with sour cream and pickled jalapeños.
About the Main Ingredients:
- Chili with no beans: Using chili with no beans ensures a smooth and creamy texture for the dip.
- Cream cheese: Adds richness and creaminess to the chili dip.
- Cheddar cheese: Melts into the dip, adding a sharp and savory flavor.
- Green onions: Provide a fresh and slightly sharp flavor to the dip.
- Chicken breasts: Are used for the sliders, providing a lean and protein-rich base.
- All-purpose flour: Coats the chicken and helps create a crispy crust when fried.
- Paprika, garlic powder, cayenne pepper: Seasonings that add flavor to the flour coating.
- Buttermilk: Tenderizes the chicken and helps the flour mixture adhere.
- Mini waffles: Serve as the “buns” for the sliders, adding a sweet and savory element.
- Maple syrup: Drizzled over the chicken and waffles for a touch of sweetness.
- Tortilla chips: Serve as the base for the loaded nachos, providing a crunchy texture.
- Black beans: Add protein and fiber to the nachos, along with a hearty texture.
- Diced tomatoes: Provide freshness and juiciness to the nachos.
- Black olives: Add a briny flavor and a contrasting texture to the nachos.
- Cilantro: Adds a fresh and herbaceous element to the nachos
- Sour cream: Adds creaminess and a cool contrast to the spicy nachos.
- Pickled jalapeños: Provide a spicy kick and tangy flavor to the nachos.
- Cilantro: Adds a fresh and herbaceous element to the nachos, balancing the richness of the cheese and beans.
- Sour cream: Offers a cool and creamy contrast to the spicy jalapeños and savory toppings.
- Pickled jalapeños: Provide a spicy and tangy kick to the nachos, enhancing their flavor profile.
