Description
Deliciously crunchy on the outside and tender on the inside, these crispy chicken bites are perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1–1.5 lbs boneless skinless chicken breast or thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Oil for frying
Instructions
- Marinate the Chicken: In a large mixing bowl, combine the buttermilk, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Add the chicken pieces, ensuring they’re well-coated. Cover and let this sit in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes, or overnight for maximum flavor.
- Prepare the Flour Mixture: In another bowl, whisk together the flour, paprika, salt, and pepper. This coating creates the gorgeous crispy texture everyone loves. Set aside.
- Heat the Oil: In a deep fryer or heavy-duty pan, heat oil over medium heat until hot (about 350°F). Test the heat by dropping a pinch of flour; if it sizzles, you’re ready to go.
- Coat the Chicken: Remove the chicken from the marinade, letting excess buttermilk drip off. Dredge each piece in the flour mixture, ensuring it’s well-coated for that irresistible crunch.
- Fry the Chicken: Carefully place chicken pieces in the hot oil, working in batches to avoid overcrowding. Fry for about 4-5 minutes per side or until golden brown and cooked through. The internal temperature should reach 165°F.
- Drain and Serve: Once cooked, transfer the bites to a plate lined with paper towels to absorb excess oil. Serve hot, and watch them disappear!
Notes
Marinate the chicken a day in advance for deeper flavor. You can also air fry or bake these chicken bites as alternatives to frying.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
Keywords: crispy chicken bites, fried chicken, appetizers