Big Game Watch Party Recommendations from 101 Cooking for Two

We all need a distraction this year and the BIG GAME is next week. It is considered the second most important “food holiday” after Thanksgiving. Food is an essential part of any watch party, so it’s time to fire up with my annual watch party recipe roundup.

LET'S BE SAFE OUT THERE. Please follow your local Health Department recommendations for gatherings.

Table of Contents

🖐️Finger Food Recipes
🥣Chili Recipes
🥘Main Course Recipes
🍬Sweets Recipes

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Introduction

Most of us are looking forward to the big game this week. God knows we need a distraction now. I almost always enjoy the game. But even if you don't enjoy the game, there is no reason not to have great food.

While I will admit to liking college football more than pro, I do enjoy professional sports during their playoffs. They seem actually to try harder.

Personally, I’m a reformed Lions fan, which means I don't watch regular-season games, and they haven't been in the playoffs for a few years. So I don't watch pro football other than the big game. It is so nice not to waste that 3 hours every Sunday.

And is 7 hours of pregame programming really needed? We will be enjoying the puppy bowl part of that time. OK, I'm off task, back to the food.

Let's divide the recommendations into four classes, finger foods, chili, main courses, and sweets.

🖐️Finger Food Recipes

If you are hosting a party, finger foods are great for watching the game and munching. Here are some of my best.

Crispy Baked Chicken Wings

No frying is needed to get great crispy skin on your game day wings. Toss in homemade Buffalo sauce, and you have an American favorite. You can easily make these at home with one secret ingredient. Plus, it is healthier.

Blue Cheese Dip

A great homemade Blue Cheese Dip is just what you need for those buffalo chicken wings and the vegetables. It is the required dipping sauce. You can make this creamy dish with these easy step by step photo instructions.

Quick French Bread Pizza

Delicious quick and easy French bread pizza is perfect for that quick evening meal or a party. And at only 20 minutes, it's faster than a speeding pizza dude.

Sweet and Spicy Chicken Bacon Wraps

What could go wrong with bacon, sugar, and spices? Cubes of chicken wrapped in bacon and coated with brown sugar, chili powder, and cumin? Great finger food for that "bring a dish" party.

bacon chicken wrapped chicken on a toothpick

Pineapple Mango Salsa

Sweet and spicy pineapple mango salsa is the perfect change of pace to everybody's favorite side dish. An easy-to-make fresh fruit salsa will go with fish, chicken, tacos, or use as a dip.

Simple Homemade Guacamole

Nothing is better than this simple homemade guacamole. An authentic recipe using only fresh ingredients and ready in about 10 minutes. Everybody will love it for a party but easy enough for everyday meals.

🥣Chili Recipes

To me, the watch party must have a chili or two. You can check all my chili recipes in my chili category. But here are some of my favorites.

Crock Pot Chili

Super easy to make and one of the best homemade chilies you will ever have. This versatile chili is perfect in a smaller crock pot and can easily be adjusted to your taste and needs.

Easy Crock Pot White Chicken Chili

The ultimate dump-and-go white chicken chili with only a few ingredients. Only 10 minutes prep and shredded chicken, white beans, pepper jack cheese, and some salsa will get your new favorite chili. Scaled down for a smaller crock pot or adjust the amount to your needs.

White Chicken Chili on a spoon over bowl

Crock Pot Stew Meat Chili

Super easy dump and go chunky stew meat chili. Think of it as like a Texas chili but with beans. This wonderfully tasty chili brings multiple levels of taste with the optional use of different types of chili peppers. Tender chunks of beef will make this chili a favorite.

Salsa Verde Chicken Chili a la Crock Pot

Just combine salsa verde, white beans, and chicken in a crock pot for great chicken chili that will be the star of any gathering. A wonderful change of pace chili that is super easy to make.

Close up of a spoonful of Salsa Verde White Chicken Chili

Healthy Crock Pot White Chicken Chili

Originally named "Low-Fat High-Taste" chicken chili by my wife, this healthy dinner has everything you want in great white bean chicken chili. It is dump-and-go easy with a wonderful mellow taste with just the right touch of heat.

Low Fat Crock Pot Chicken Chili on a spoon

Turkey Chili

This healthy turkey chili is easy to make in your crock pot or, if you are in a hurry, as little as 30 minutes on the stovetop. It is a wonder hardy chili filled with great flavor, vegetables, and three types of beans.

🥘Main Course Recipes

Maybe you are having more of a dinner. Here are some classics in all three food groups: beef, pork, and chicken.

The Best Ground Beef Taco Meat

Great Mexican for all. The absolute best ground beef taco meat you can make at home. Perfect for nachos, salads, or even tacos. So easy and good, you will never use store-bought seasoning again. And you made it from scratch with these easy step by step photo instructions.

Oven Pulled Pork from Pork Butt

Everybody deserves great pulled pork, but most of us don’t have smokers. This outrageously good pulled pork is as simple as rub and toss it in the oven for great low and slow goodness.

Crock Pot Pulled Pork the Right Way

Great melt-in-your-mouth pulled pork is now an easy economical dinner recipe. Cooked all day low and slow in your crock pot, pork butt becomes pull-apart tender for the family or a crowd.

close up picture of a BBQ Sandwich with sauce on a blue plate

Crock Pot French Dip

An easy recipe for crock pot French dip sandwiches that are melt in your mouth tender and bursting with a wonderful flavor. Topped with cheese and dipped in au jus, it is a casual dining delight.

image of a French dip sandwich with dip on a gray plate.

Kansas City Oven Baked BBQ Beef Brisket

Great BBQ for everybody! Serve up some tasty and tender brisket with this ultimate easy recipe–only two ingredients and about 5 minutes of prep. What could be better? A never failed recipe we have used for 45 years.

Oven Baked BBQ Brisket from 101 Cooking for Two

Oven Baked Chicken Legs - The Art of Drummies

Oven baked chicken legs are a simple dinner the whole family will love. Just trim, pat dry, simple spices, and bake them in the oven. You will have perfect crispy, juicy chicken legs every time with these easy step by step photo instructions.

🍬Sweets Recipes

No party or dinner is complete without something sweet. Give them something great to talk about that you can make ahead.

Crock Pot White Chocolate Almond Clusters

Super easy and delicious white chocolate almond clusters are the perfect gift for the holidays or for any special occasion. Simple with these step by step photo instruction for the perfect white chocolate candy.

white chocolate almond clusters on a white plate

Easy Oreo Fudge

Outstanding Oreo fudge that is packed with bits of crushed Oreo cookies in great tasting sweet white fudge that will practically melt in your mouth. Only four ingredients and ultra-simple. Great for the office holiday party or a gift.

Cheesecake Bars

Perfect for any occasion, these creamy New York cheesecake bars will impress your friends and family. Scaled to a smaller occasion but easy to double or freeze.

Crock Pot Chocolate Peanut Clusters

Just 5 minutes, 3 ingredients, and a little time in a crock pot or on a stovetop will get you great chocolate peanut clusters for holiday giving, a cookie exchange, or the office holiday party. This will become a family tradition.

Easy Lemon Bars

Six-ingredients are all you need for these easy lemon bars. Bursting with great sweet-tart lemon taste and a buttery shortbread base, they are everything a lemon bar should be. Perfect for every day or a special occasion.

Homemade Candied Nuts

Don't you just love the smell of the candied nuts at the mall or a fair? You can do it at home with these easy to follow step by step photo instructions.