Chicken Bites Crispy Tender (Printable)
Buttermilk-marinated chicken bites with a crispy spiced crust, fried golden and ideal for snacking or parties.
# What You Need:
→ Chicken
01 - 1.1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
→ Marinade
02 - 1/2 cup buttermilk
03 - 1 teaspoon garlic powder
04 - 1 teaspoon paprika
05 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
06 - 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
→ Breading
07 - 1 cup all-purpose flour
08 - 1/4 cup corn starch
09 - 1 teaspoon paprika
10 - 1 teaspoon onion powder
11 - 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
12 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
13 - 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
→ For Frying
14 - Vegetable oil, sufficient for deep frying
# Directions:
01 - Combine buttermilk, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper in a mixing bowl. Add the chicken pieces and toss to ensure even coating.
02 - Cover and refrigerate the marinated chicken for at least 30 minutes. This enhances tenderness and flavor but may be skipped for a quicker process.
03 - In a separate mixing bowl, whisk together all-purpose flour, corn starch, paprika, onion powder, cayenne pepper (if using), salt, and black pepper.
04 - Pour vegetable oil into a deep frying pan or fryer and heat to 350°F.
05 - Remove chicken pieces from marinade, allowing excess liquid to drip off. Dredge each piece thoroughly in the flour mixture to ensure full coverage.
06 - Fry coated chicken pieces in batches for 3 to 4 minutes per batch or until golden brown and fully cooked. Drain on paper towels to remove excess oil.
07 - Serve hot with your favorite dipping sauce.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- If you sneak one straight from the cooling rack, you'll discover just how shatteringly crisp that first bite is.
- They're dangerously simple to throw together, which is why I keep coming back whenever friends pop by unannounced.
02 -
- Piling too many pieces into the oil at once turns everything soggy and pale—patience earns the best crunch.
- That moment I forgot the corn starch, the breading just never developed the same delicate shatter—always double check before mixing.
03 -
- Use paper towels and a cooling rack to keep your chicken bites crisp instead of softening as they cool.
- Crush a handful of cornflakes into the breading for extra crunch if you want to surprise even yourself.