With football season in full swing, you may be hosting or attending get-togethers to watch the games. Luckily there are a number of South Beach Diet–friendly snacks you can enjoy instead of the typical unhealthy game fare. Forget the high-fat wings: Here is a makeover that is sure to be a hit among your guests — and it’s so easy to prepare, it’ll be ready to eat in time for kickoff.

Buffalo Chicken Bites (Phase 1)

Description
What would a football game be without the familiar taste of the devilishly spicy chicken that hails from Upstate New York?

Makes 8 (3-skewer) servings

Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 10 minutes

Ingredients
3 tablespoons trans-fat-free margarine
2 tablespoons hot-pepper sauce (or more to taste)
1 teaspoon canola oil
3 (6-ounce) boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 24 (1") cubes
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
3 celery stalks, cut into 24 (1") pieces

Instructions
Melt margarine in a medium nonstick saucepan. Whisk in pepper sauce and cook for 1 to 2 minutes, or until slightly thickened; set aside.

Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Season chicken with salt and pepper, add to pan, and cook, turning occasionally, until browned on all sides, about 6 minutes. Add margarine mixture to pan and gently toss chicken until well coated, 1 to 2 minutes.

Remove chicken from pan and skewer each cube with a toothpick. Skewer 1 piece of celery at the base of each. Arrange on a platter and serve with a South Beach Diet–friendly dip.

Nutritional information
Per 3-skewer serving:
150 calories
9 g fat (2.5 g sat)
1 g carbohydrate
16 g protein
0 g fiber
250 mg sodium