Super Bowl weekend has kitchens all over America buzzing with activity. From dips and veggie platters to sub sandwiches and pots of steaming chili, this ultimate football game calls for crowd-friendly eats.

As with any holiday, and yes, we consider the Super Bowl to be worthy of holiday status in our house, this one comes with an expected food theme. Finger foods and dishes that satisfy a crowd usually rule the day. The trick is not to get stuck in the kitchen during the game.

In addition to asking friends to bring a dish or drinks, try planning ahead for meals that can be assembled before Sunday and are easy to eat while focusing on the game.

Also try to keep it simple so you can enjoy yourself. Focus on one main dish and make or buy the other dishes ahead of time.

For a make-ahead dip, assemble this Baked Crab Dip the day before, then add the breadcrumbs and bake right before your guests arrive. This recipe calls for fresh crab, but to stay within a reasonable budget, I use canned lump crab.

This dip is light and can be eaten with bagel or pita chips, as well as vegetables. The lemon zest in the bread crumb topping adds a delicious light flavor that balances the richness of the crab.

Wings are a popular party food but are not always convenient to eat. To avoid the messy work of eating wings, try these Buffalo Chicken Tenders with a homemade Blue Cheese Dressing.

To save on time, you can use frozen chicken tenders. After heating, toss these in the sauce and serve with blue cheese dressing and celery sticks. If you want to make more of a meal, plate the chicken with a wedge of iceberg drizzled with homemade or store-bought blue cheese dressing to cool the fiery flavor.

The slow cooker is your friend when it comes to feeding a crowd. One of my new favorites dishes is thisSlow Cooker Chili Chicken Tacos recipe. The secret to its success is the subtle smokey chipotle flavor. Using skinless, boneless chicken thighs keeps the meat tender even after hours of cooking.

A variety of fixings also add some flair. Serve the basic chicken taco with a tray of topping, such as fresh cilantro or lettuce, chopped avocado, diced purple onion, shredded cheddar, salsa, sour cream and pickled jalapeno slices.

For dessert, stick with easy treats such as brownies, blondies, cookies or sliced fruit. And don't forget the coffee. It's a long game.