Ruby Tuesday’s Buffalo Chicken Wontons: A Flavorful Bite of Nostalgia

There are some dishes that, the moment you taste them, transport you back to a specific time and place. For me, Ruby Tuesday’s Buffalo Chicken Wontons are one of those culinary time capsules. I remember my first encounter with them – a vibrant appetizer that arrived at our table, a delightful explosion of spicy, tangy chicken nestled within crispy, golden shells. The cool, creamy blue cheese dressing and the satisfying crunch of celery sticks served alongside were the perfect counterpoints, creating a symphony of textures and flavors that I’ve craved ever since. It’s a testament to simple, yet brilliant, flavor combinations, and recreating that magic in my own kitchen has been a rewarding journey.

Recipe Overview

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Servings: 48
• Yield: 48 wonton cups
• Dietary Type: Contains Chicken, Dairy (Blue Cheese Dressing)

Ingredients

The beauty of these wontons lies in their straightforward approach, relying on quality ingredients to shine. Here’s what you’ll need to bring this appetizer to life:

For the Wonton Cups:

• 12 wonton wrappers, cut into quarters
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil, for brushing

For the Buffalo Chicken Filling:

• 6 cups water
• 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast
• 6 tablespoons Louisiana hot sauce
• 2 teaspoons liquid margarine
• 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
• Salt, to taste

For Serving:

• Blue cheese dressing
• Celery sticks (for garnish and dipping)

Equipment Needed

To successfully recreate these delightful wontons, you’ll want to have the following tools readily available:

• Miniature (1-inch) muffin tins
• Small saucepan
• Medium mixing bowl
• Wire cooling rack
• Plastic wrap
• Baking sheet
• Fork

Instructions

Crafting these Buffalo Chicken Wontons is a multi-stage process, but each step is simple and rewarding. Follow these instructions carefully to achieve that perfect balance of crispy wonton and zesty filling.

1. Preheat the oven to 325ºF. This gentle temperature is crucial for achieving perfectly crisp wonton cups without burning.
2. Prepare the Wonton Wrappers: Lay the wonton wrappers on a clean work surface. Lightly brush each wrapper on one side with the vegetable oil. This oil will help them crisp up beautifully in the oven.
3. Shape the Wonton Cups: Carefully mold the oiled wonton wrappers, with the oiled-side up, into the bottoms of the miniature (1-inch) muffin tins. Press them gently to create little cups.
4. Bake the Wonton Cups: Place the muffin tins in the preheated oven and bake until the wonton cups are light brown, which should take approximately 5 minutes. Keep a close eye on them as they can brown quickly.
5. Cool the Wonton Cups: Remove the muffin tins from the oven and let cool slightly. Once they are cool enough to handle, gently remove the wonton cups from the muffin tins.
6. Further Cooling and Storage: Arrange the cooled wonton cups on a wire rack to ensure they crisp up evenly. Once completely cooled, place them on a baking sheet and cover tightly with plastic wrap until you are ready to assemble the appetizer. This step is important for maintaining their crispness.
7. Cook the Chicken: In a small saucepan, place the boneless, skinless chicken breast and cover with 6 cups of water. Bring to a simmer and cook until the chicken is cooked through, which will take about 12 minutes.
8. Shred the Chicken: Once cooked, remove the chicken from the water and let cool slightly. Then, finely chop and shred the chicken using a fork. Aim for small, manageable pieces for the wonton filling.
9. Season the Chicken: Lightly season the shredded chicken with a little salt.
10. Prepare the Buffalo Sauce Mixture: In a medium bowl, mix together the Louisiana hot sauce, liquid margarine, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper.
11. Combine Filling: Add the shredded chicken to the sauce mixture and mix well to ensure all the chicken is evenly coated with the zesty Buffalo sauce.
12. Chill the Filling: Refrigerate the chicken mixture until it is slightly chilled. This helps the flavors meld and makes it easier to handle.
13. Assemble and Serve: Just before serving, place 1 heaping teaspoon of the chilled chicken mixture into each of the prepared wonton cups. Garnish each filled wonton with a dollop of blue cheese dressing and serve immediately with crunchy celery sticks for dipping. These are best served at room temperature to allow the flavors to fully develop.

Make-Ahead Notes:

• The wonton cups can be baked up to 3 days in advance and stored in an airtight container.
• The chicken mixture can be made up to 1 day in advance. Let it sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before serving.
• The wonton cups can be filled up to 1 hour in advance of serving.

Expert Tips & Tricks

As a chef, I always look for ways to elevate even the simplest dishes. Here are a few tricks that can make your Buffalo Chicken Wontons truly stand out:

• Crispier Wontons: For an extra crisp bite, you can bake the wonton cups for an additional 1-2 minutes, keeping a very close eye on them to prevent burning. You can also lightly brush the inside of the wonton cups with oil before filling for added crispness.
• Spice Level Adjustment: The amount of Louisiana hot sauce can be adjusted to your preference. For a milder version, use less hot sauce and a bit more melted butter or margarine. For a fierier kick, add a pinch more cayenne pepper or even a dash of your favorite extra-hot sauce.
• Chicken Prep Shortcut: If you’re short on time, rotisserie chicken is an excellent substitute. Ensure it’s finely shredded and you’ll save yourself the simmering step.
• Blue Cheese Dressing Variations: While classic blue cheese dressing is traditional, consider making your own for an even more gourmet touch. A simple blend of sour cream or Greek yogurt, crumbled blue cheese, a splash of milk or buttermilk, and a pinch of garlic and onion powder can be fantastic.

Serving & Storage Suggestions

These Buffalo Chicken Wontons are a perfect appetizer for game days, parties, or any occasion that calls for a flavorful bite.

Serving: Arrange the filled wontons attractively on a platter, ensuring there’s enough space for the celery sticks and a small bowl of blue cheese dressing for dipping. The visual appeal of the vibrant red filling against the golden wonton cup is part of their charm.

Storage:

• Room Temperature: If assembled, they are best enjoyed immediately. Leftover assembled wontons will lose their crispness over time.
• Refrigerated: Unfilled, baked wonton cups can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. The chicken mixture can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 day.
• Freezing: It’s not recommended to freeze the assembled wontons as the wonton cups will become soggy upon thawing. However, the baked wonton cups (unfilled) can be frozen. Place them in a single layer on a baking sheet to freeze, then transfer to an airtight container or freezer bag. Thaw at room temperature before filling.

Nutritional Information

Below is an estimated nutritional breakdown per wonton cup, keeping in mind that serving sizes and exact ingredient brands can influence these values.

Nutrient	Amount per Serving	% Daily Value
Calories	22.9 kcal	–
Calories from Fat	7 g	–
Total Fat	0.9 g	1%
Saturated Fat	0.1 g	0%
Cholesterol	5.7 mg	1%
Sodium	66.6 mg	2%
Total Carbohydrate	1.2 g	0%
Dietary Fiber	0 g	0%
Sugars	0 g	0%
Protein	2.4 g	4%

Note: Daily values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. These are approximate values.

Variations & Substitutions

While the classic Buffalo Chicken Wonton is a crowd-pleaser, feel free to experiment with these variations:

• Spicy Ranch Wontons: Swap the blue cheese dressing for a creamy ranch dressing.
• BBQ Chicken Wontons: Use your favorite BBQ sauce instead of the hot sauce mixture for a smoky, sweet flavor profile.
• Vegetarian Option: For a meat-free version, finely chop and sauté firm or extra-firm tofu with the Buffalo sauce ingredients.
• Gluten-Free Wonton Cups: Look for gluten-free wonton wrappers if needed, though availability can be limited. Alternatively, you could use mini bell pepper halves or endive leaves as edible cups.

FAQs

Q: Can I make the wonton cups ahead of time?
A: Yes, the baked wonton cups can be made up to 3 days in advance and stored in an airtight container at room temperature.

Q: How do I prevent the wonton cups from becoming soggy?
A: Ensure the wonton cups are completely cooled before storing and only fill them close to serving time. Avoid overcrowding them with filling.

Q: Can I make the Buffalo chicken filling spicier?
A: Absolutely! You can increase the cayenne pepper or add a dash of your favorite extra-hot sauce to the mixture for a bolder kick.

Q: What kind of chicken is best for this recipe?
A: Boneless, skinless chicken breast is ideal for its lean texture and ability to shred easily. However, shredded rotisserie chicken is a great time-saving alternative.

Q: Can I use a different type of hot sauce?
A: While Louisiana hot sauce is traditional, you can experiment with other cayenne-pepper-based hot sauces. Adjust the quantity to achieve your desired level of heat and flavor.

Final Thoughts

These Buffalo Chicken Wontons are more than just an appetizer; they’re a little bite of pure joy that brings a smile to anyone’s face. The combination of crispy, savory wonton shells and the tangy, spicy chicken filling, perfectly balanced by cool blue cheese dressing, is simply irresistible. They’re easy enough for a weeknight appetizer but sophisticated enough for any gathering. Don’t hesitate to get creative with your dipping sauces or serve them alongside a crisp salad for a more complete meal. I encourage you to try this recipe, savor each flavorful bite, and perhaps create some delicious new memories of your own. Happy cooking!