Description
Cottage Cheese Holiday Garlic Parmesan Pull-Apart Chicken Bites — a high-protein holiday appetizer that’s golden, cheesy, and irresistibly finger-friendly. These savory chicken clusters use cottage cheese as a creamy binder and grated Parmesan for a crisp, herb-flecked crust. Ready in under 20 minutes, they’re perfect for Christmas parties, potlucks, or cozy winter nights. Serve hot with cranberry BBQ, garlic aioli, or marinara for a crowd-pleasing holiday snack. Keywords: holiday appetizer, high protein, cottage cheese chicken, garlic Parmesan bites, pull-apart chicken, Christmas party finger food, easy party recipes, low-carb appetizers, make-ahead holiday snacks, entertaining ideas for winter.
Ingredients
- 1 lb diced chicken breast
- 1/2 cup cottage cheese (full-fat recommended)
- 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- Optional: chopped fresh parsley, lemon zest, smoked paprika, crushed red pepper flakes, shredded mozzarella
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Toss diced chicken with olive oil, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper until evenly coated.
- Stir together cottage cheese and grated Parmesan until thick and well combined.
- Mix the cottage cheese mixture into the seasoned chicken, coating each piece thoroughly.
- Arrange coated chicken pieces close together on the prepared baking sheet to form pull-apart clusters.
- Bake 15–18 minutes until chicken is cooked through and tops are golden.
- Broil 1–2 minutes, watching carefully, to deepen color and crisp the Parmesan.
- Let rest 2–3 minutes, garnish with parsley and lemon zest if desired, and serve with favorite holiday dips.
Notes
- For best texture, use evenly diced chicken so all pieces cook uniformly.
- If cottage cheese is watery, drain it in a fine mesh sieve before using.
- Use finely grated Parmesan (not pre-shredded) for a cohesive, crispy crust.
- To prep ahead: mix and store the coated chicken in the fridge for up to 12 hours before baking.
- Reheat in an oven or air fryer to restore crispness; avoid microwaving when possible.
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 18 mins
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American, Holiday
Nutrition
- Serving Size: Approx. 6-8 bites
- Calories: ≈270
- Sugar: ≈2 g
- Sodium: ≈520 mg
- Fat: ≈11 g
- Saturated Fat: ≈3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: ≈8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: ≈6 g
- Fiber: ≈1 g
- Protein: ≈36 g
- Cholesterol: ≈95 mg
Keywords: holiday appetizer, garlic parmesan chicken, cottage cheese chicken, pull apart bites, christmas party food, high protein snacks, easy holiday appetizers, low carb party bites, make-ahead appetizers, finger food