Baked Buffalo Chicken Strips with Blue Cheese Dip

INGREDIENTS

2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts

1 1/2 cups plus 1/2 cup buttermilk

2/3 cup hot sauce

1 cup sour cream

5 ounces blue cheese, crumbled

1/2 tablespoon white wine vinegar

1 1/2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce

Salt and pepper

8 ounces Ritz crackers (2 sleeves)

3 tablespoons Buffalo wing seasoning mix

4 tablespoons canola oil

6 large celery ribs, cut in quarters lengthwise

PREPARATION

Cut each chicken breast into 4 strips, lengthwise, and place in a large bowl. In a separate bowl, whisk together 1 1/2 cups buttermilk and hot sauce until blended. Pour over chicken; mix until chicken is coated. Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour.

Make dip: In a medium bowl, combine sour cream, 1/2 cup buttermilk, blue cheese, vinegar and Worcestershire sauce. Whisk to mix well. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Cover and refrigerate.

Preheat oven to 350ºF. Mist 2 large baking sheets with cooking spray. In a food processor, pulse crackers until crushed. Add seasoning mix and pulse to combine.

Spread cracker mixture on a large platter. Remove chicken from marinade and carefully dredge each strip in cracker mixture.

In a large skillet, warm 2 Tbsp. oil over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add half of chicken and cook, turning, until brown and crisp on all sides, 2 to 3 minutes. Place on baking sheet. Repeat with remaining oil and chicken.

Place baking sheets in oven and bake until chicken is cooked through, 8 to 10 minutes. Serve chicken hot with celery and blue cheese dip.