Savory Chicken and Cheese Muffins are a quick and delicious breakfast or appetizer, perfect to start a lunch with friends or to take with you on a trip out of town. These are soft savory cakes, prepared with a soft yogurt dough, that will conquer adults and children from the first bite.
To make them, you just need to sear the diced chicken breast in a pan with a drizzle of oil and a clove of garlic. Once the meat is browned, you just need to combine it with a creamy mixture of eggs, yeast, flour, yogurt and seed oil, enriched with cubed scamorza, and then pour everything into a special plumcake mold, lined with paper cups. The result, after baking, will be single-serving morsels, with a tasty and stringy heart, excellent to offer even at brunch time or for a birthday buffet.
While chicken and cheese muffins may sound like a modern fusion of savory ingredients, their roots in American cuisine can be traced back to the early 20th century, when home cooks began experimenting with casseroles and baked dishes that blended protein, dairy, and grains into single servings. The muffin tin, originally popularized for sweet treats, became a beloved tool in the post-war era as convenience and portion control became key culinary trends. By the 1950s and 60s, American housewives were crafting all sorts of savory muffin variations, often featuring leftovers like diced chicken, cheddar cheese, and breadcrumbs, in a bid to stretch meals creatively. These muffins offered a portable, nutritious, and comforting option that fit well into lunchboxes and potlucks alike. Over time, the idea evolved into a charming hybrid between quiche, casserole, and quick bread—cementing chicken and cheese muffins as a nostalgic yet adaptable snack in American home kitchens.
Chicken and cheese muffins are a great toddler-friendly snack—soft, easy to chew, and packed with protein and calcium. Just use low-sodium ingredients, finely shredded chicken, and skip strong spices. You can even add mild veggies like grated carrots or zucchini for extra nutrition.
The best cut of chicken for these muffins is skinless, boneless chicken breast. It's lean, easy to shred or dice finely, and has a mild flavor that pairs perfectly with cheese and herbs without overpowering the muffin's soft texture.
Of course! For rich taste and gooey texture, opt for cheeses like mozzarella, provola, or mild cheddar. Combining a stronger cheese with a meltier one can elevate both flavor and consistency.
Absolutely! You can add finely grated or chopped vegetables like zucchini, carrots, spinach, or sweet corn to boost the nutrition and add color. Just make sure to squeeze out excess moisture from watery veggies like zucchini to keep the muffins light and not soggy.
These savory muffins pair wonderfully with a fresh green salad, a warm bowl of soup, or some steamed veggies for a complete meal. For kids, serve them with a side of fruit or yogurt. They're also great with dips like hummus or mild tomato sauce for extra flavor.
Yes, chicken and cheese muffins can definitely be made ahead of time! They're perfect for meal prep— and reheat in the oven or microwave until warm before serving.
Yes, these muffins freeze very well! Once completely cooled, place them in a single layer on a baking sheet to freeze individually, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container. They’ll keep for up to 2 months. Reheat straight from frozen in the oven or microwave until hot throughout.
To store leftovers, let the muffins cool completely, then place them in an airtight container. Keep them in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. For longer storage, freeze them as described earlier. Always reheat before serving to restore their soft, savory texture.
First, cut the chicken breast into small cubes.
First, cut the chicken breast into small cubes.
Brown the garlic clove in a pan with a drizzle of oil, then add the meat, let it brown for 7-8 minutes on both sides, and season with salt and pepper. When finished, turn off the heat, remove the garlic and set aside.
Brown the garlic clove in a pan with a drizzle of oil, then add the meat, let it brown for 7-8 minutes on both sides, and season with salt and pepper. When finished, turn off the heat, remove the garlic and set aside.
Break the eggs into a bowl and pour in the sunflower seed oil.
Break the eggs into a bowl and pour in the sunflower seed oil.
Add the yogurt.
Add the yogurt.
Combine the flour, sifted with the yeast and a pinch of salt, and incorporate the ingredients with a whisk.
Combine the flour, sifted with the yeast and a pinch of salt, and incorporate the ingredients with a whisk.
At this point add the browned chicken cubes.
At this point add the browned chicken cubes.
Finish with diced scamorza and mix everything well.
Finish with diced scamorza and mix everything well.
Line a muffin tin with paper liners and fill them with the mixture obtained; then place in a static oven at 360°F/180°C and leave to cook for approximately 20 minutes. Once the cooking time is up, let the muffins cool to room temp before taking them out of the tins!
Line a muffin tin with paper liners and fill them with the mixture obtained; then place in a static oven at 360°F/180°C and leave to cook for approximately 20 minutes. Once the cooking time is up, let the muffins cool to room temp before taking them out of the tins!
Enjoy!
Enjoy!