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Ahhh, finger foods, one of life’s little pleasures. I have a weird thing for grilled polenta, it really is so good if you haven’t tried it before. I decided to top my polenta cakes with some BBQ chicken, fresh mozzarella cheese and a touch of cilantro. These little appetizers are perfect for any party or even lunch.
Go find a tube of cooked polenta at your grocery store, it’s usually by the pasta sauces and pasta. Use any left over chicken with BBQ sauce (Click HERE for my recipe for homemade BBQ shredded chicken) for the topping or your grocery store usually has a refrigerated prepared BBQ shredded chicken.
Hope you enjoy!!
Simple line up of ingredients, Left: BBQ chicken, fresh mozzarella, polenta and cilantro
Here’s the polenta, I sliced it into 1/2 inch slices to get ready for the grill pan.
About 2 cups of cooked, shredded BBQ chicken. I used a package from Trader Joe’s, however HERE is a simple homemade BBQ Sauce recipe of mine if you wanna go homemade 🙂
I drizzled in 2 tablespoons of olive oil and placed the sliced polenta right into the ol’ grill pan.
After about 4 to 5 minutes, give em’ a flip.
Top with a spoonful of BBQ chicken.
Top with a 1/2 slice mozzarella cheese.
Place under your oven’s broiler for 3 to 4 minutes, until cheese melts….then enjoy!
1 pound/tube of polenta
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
2 cups cooked/shredded BBQ chicken
12 1-inch slices fresh mozzarella
12 individual cilantro leaves
1. Preheat oven’s broiler with rack places 5 to 6 inches below heat.
2. Slice polenta into 1/2 inch slices. Place oil into a grill pan over medium heat. Place polenta slices into hot grill pan and grill for 4 to 5 minutes, until slightly browned. Flip and top with a spoonful of BBQ chicken then a slice of mozzarella cheese. Grill for 4 minutes then place under broiler until cheese is melted. Top with a cilantro leaf and serve.
12 servings
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Jenny they look so good and full of great flavor with the bbq chicken. But I LOVE the melted mozzarella action, for sure 🙂
These do look delicious! What a great little treat as an appetizer or even a meal if you have a few with salad:-)
Yes, perfect with a little salad 🙂
Mmm this sounds awesome. I love polenta!
This looks great! What a different idea. We found Polenta recently and really enjoy it. I’ll have to try this one.
These look delicious. I love how easy they are to assemble.
holy delicious! what a cool bite you just made…i love them!
These sound delicious, and simple! I love this idea.
this looks like such a fun mixture of flavors and textures!
This is absolutely amazing!
When I saw the title, I thought, “Oh that sounds so delicious, but I’m sure it will be too difficult for me to make.” It looks so easy though. I’m so impressed. I’m definitely trying this one!!
They really are a breeze to make Melanie! Hope you enjoy 🙂
WOW! I have to make these! They look so good and so easy. Definitely would be a winner in this house! Thank you for the idea.
XO
Jen
What is polenta? It looks really good, but I can’t tell from the picture what it is. Please explain!
Hi Meg,
Polenta is made from ground corn, so they taste like little corn cakes. You’ll have to give it a try 🙂
I have never tried grilled polenta, but after drooling over these pics I have to give it a try! Thanks for another great recipe 🙂
Would you believe I have never had polenta? But with this recipe looking so good, it may be time I try it 🙂
You’ll love it Chris!!
Where did you get that pan?
Hi Stacey,
It actually came in a gift from BlogHer Food a couple weeks ago, but it is by Cuisinart. You can look it up online 🙂 I will be doing a giveaway with one very soon too!
Looks delish!! Love the grill pan-I want one soooo badly:)
These look amazing! I
Uh. YES, Please! This sounds delicious Jenny!
What a fun and easy appetizer! I love polenta and can’t wait to try this!
You’re such a genius. I never, ever look at that kind of stuff at the market and think I can combine them to create something fun. I go the more difficult route!! Ugh. I love my grill pan!
These look so delicious! I love polenta and stack that with bbq chicken, I’m sold!
This sounds so good! I will have to make this for sure!
Thanks for the recipe! I was searching for a quick appetizer and this fits the bill. 🙂
Those look delicious! I’ve been wanting to make something yummy with polenta and cheese. I think I might create something similar for dinner tonight. You’ve definitely inspired me 😀
So glad I could help Heidi!!
Does the polenta get crispy at all, or does it stay fairly mushy?
Hi Amy,
The polenta gets crisped on the outside and stays soft on the inside. Hope this helps!
These sound awesome! Are they sturdy enough to pick up with your fingers?
Yes, Debbi, they are sturdy enough to pick right up with your fingers 🙂
hmmm i never warmed up to polenta, but i’ve never had them grilled either. thanks for the idea!
I love polenta! Cute pizza cakes!
Perfect and delicious! I would like these right now! 🙂
Ohhh yes please! me and polenta get along VERY well!
Wow, these are genius! They look so good!
Ooh, what a fun alternative to regular pizza!
I LOVE polenta! What an easy and delicious recipe – I am going to add them to my list to make, yummy!!!!
I made these this weekend for a Graduation BBQ and they were a complete hit! Everyone loved them and asked for the recipe- thanks for sharing!
These are so cute and fancy! Love ’em!
I have to be honest, I’ve never cooked with polenta before. I think I was waiting to stumble upon the perfect recipe that just made that crazy food makes sense to me. This is totally it! Bookmarking! Thank you!
The truly dangerous thing here, is how much I LOVE every single one of these ingredients =P
Wow! This looks delicious and simple. Can’t wait to make this for my boyfriend and twins. It also looks healthy. Thank you for the recipe!