Chicken Bites (Printable)
Golden buttermilk-marinated chicken bites with a crispy, seasoned crust — great for snacking or party platters.
# What You'll Need:
→ Chicken
01 - 1 pound 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 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 black pepper
→ For Frying
14 - Vegetable oil, as needed for deep frying
# How-to Steps:
01 - Whisk together buttermilk, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper in a mixing bowl. Add chicken pieces and toss thoroughly to coat. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes for enhanced tenderness.
02 - In a separate bowl, blend all-purpose flour, corn starch, paprika, onion powder, cayenne pepper if using, salt, and black pepper until fully combined.
03 - Pour vegetable oil into a deep frying pan or fryer and heat to 350°F.
04 - Lift each marinated chicken piece from the bowl, shaking off excess marinade, then dredge thoroughly in the flour mixture for an even coating.
05 - Fry coated chicken pieces in batches for 3 to 4 minutes per batch, until golden brown and fully cooked. Transfer to a plate lined with paper towels to drain excess oil.
06 - Arrange hot chicken bites on a platter and serve immediately with preferred dipping sauces.
# Expert Pointers:
01 -
- Marinating the chicken in buttermilk is the game-changer for ridiculously tender bites—don’t skip it, even when rushed.
- This is a recipe people gather around, and they disappear faster than you’d believe.
02 -
- The breading only sticks well if the chicken isn’t too wet, so drip off as much marinade as possible.
- Letting the oil return to temperature between batches keeps the chicken crispy, not greasy.
03 -
- Use a wire rack instead of paper towels for draining if you want extra-crisp results.
- Sneak in a dash of smoked paprika for a gentle smoky aroma that makes people wonder about your secret.