Craving comfort food that’s both fun and delicious? Fried Chicken Bites are golden, Crispy Chicken Nuggets that are perfect for game day, family dinners, or quick snacks. These tender chicken nuggets are coated in a seasoned, crunchy breading and can be fried, baked, or air-fried to perfection. With their irresistible crunch and juicy interior, these crispy chicken bites are a crowd-pleaser that kids and adults love. Let’s make this Fried Chicken Bites recipe and enjoy a homemade treat that beats any drive-thru!
Why You’ll Love Fried Chicken Bites
- Crispy & Golden: A crunchy coating makes these golden chicken bites irresistible.
- Bite-Sized Joy: Perfect for snacking or parties with these tender chicken nuggets.
- Versatile Cooking: Fry, bake, or air-fry for easy crispy chicken bites.
- Kid-Approved: Better than fast-food nuggets, these golden chicken bites are a hit.
- Meal Prep Friendly: Make ahead for quick meals with these tender chicken nuggets.
Ingredients for Fried Chicken Bites
Here’s what you’ll need for this crispy chicken bites dish (serves 4–6):
Marinade:
- 1 lb (450g) boneless chicken breast or thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 cup (240ml) buttermilk
- 1 tsp sea salt
Flour Coating:
- ¾ cup (90g) all-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour)
- 1½ tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp sweet paprika
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
Breading and Cooking:
- 2 cups (120g) panko breadcrumbs (or gluten-free panko)
- Cooking oil (for frying, or cooking spray for baking/air-frying)
Garnish:
- Fresh parsley, chopped
- Lemon wedges
Equipment
- Large bowl
- Whisk
- Two shallow bowls for breading
- Baking sheet with wire rack or air fryer
- High-sided skillet (for frying)
- Tongs
- Oil thermometer (for frying)
Ingredient Tips
- Chicken: Thighs are juicier for Fried Chicken Bites; breast is leaner. Cut evenly for uniform cooking.
- Buttermilk: Tenderizes these tender chicken nuggets; substitute with 1 cup milk plus 1 tbsp lemon juice.
- Panko: Gives extra crunch to these crispy chicken bites; regular breadcrumbs work but are less crispy.
- Flour: Use gluten-free flour for dietary needs in these golden chicken bites.
- Spices: Adjust paprika or add cayenne for a spicy kick in these tender chicken nuggets.
Directions for Fried Chicken Bites
Let’s make this Fried Chicken Bites—a perfect crispy chicken bites dish!
Marinate the Chicken
- In a large bowl, I mix 1 lb chicken pieces with 1 cup buttermilk and 1 tsp sea salt, ensuring all pieces are coated.
- I cover and marinate for 30 minutes at room temperature or up to 4 hours in the fridge for tender golden chicken bites.
Prepare the Breading Stations
- In one shallow bowl, I whisk ¾ cup flour, 1½ tsp baking powder, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp onion powder, 1 tsp paprika, 1 tsp salt, and 1 tsp black pepper.
- In another, I place 2 cups panko. These stations make coating these crispy chicken bites easy.
Bread the Chicken
- I remove chicken from the buttermilk, letting excess drip off.
- I dredge each piece in the flour mixture, dip back into the buttermilk, then coat in panko.
- I place breaded pieces on a baking sheet and refrigerate for 15 minutes to set the coating for crunchy tender chicken nuggets.
Cook the Chicken
For Frying: I heat 1½ inches of oil in a skillet to 350°F (use a thermometer). I fry chicken in batches, 3–4 minutes per side, until golden, then drain on paper towels.
For Baking: I preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C), place chicken on a foil-lined baking sheet with a wire rack, spray with cooking spray, and bake for 15–20 minutes, flipping halfway.
For Air-Frying: I cook at 375°F (190°C) for 10–12 minutes, shaking halfway. I ensure 165°F internal temperature for these Fried Chicken Bites.
Nutrition
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Marinate Time: 30 minutes–4 hours
- Cook Time: 15–20 minutes
- Total Time: ~1 hour
- Servings: 4–6 (4–5 bites per serving)
- Calories: ~300–350 kcal per serving (baked/air-fried; frying adds ~50 kcal)
- Macros per Serving: 25g carbs, 20g protein, 10g fat (baked), 1g fiber
Variations for Fried Chicken Bites
Try these twists on this crispy chicken bites dish:
- Spicy Nuggets: Add ½ tsp cayenne to the flour, inspired by Layla Cooks’ Spicy Honey Garlic Chicken.
- Herb-Infused: Mix 1 tsp dried thyme into the flour, inspired by Layla Cooks’ Cucumber Shrimp Salad.
- Buffalo Bites: Toss in buffalo sauce, inspired by Layla Cooks’ Pomegranate Margarita.
- Parmesan Crust: Add ¼ cup grated Parmesan to the panko, inspired by Layla Cooks’ Marry Me Chicken Meatballs.
- Sweet & Tangy: Drizzle with hot honey, inspired by Layla Cooks’ Irresistible Peach Salad.
Serving Ideas:
- Pair with Layla Cooks’ Easy Korean Cucumber Salad for a crisp side.
- Serve with Layla Cooks’ Mango Coconut Smoothie for a refreshing contrast.
- Enjoy with Layla Cooks’ Pumpkin Spice Matcha Latte for a cozy meal.
Storage
I store these golden chicken bites in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. For freezing, I cool them, freeze on a baking sheet, then transfer to a freezer bag for up to 3 months. I reheat in a 375°F oven for 8–10 minutes or air fryer at 350°F for 3–4 minutes to restore crispiness for these tender chicken nuggets.
Serving Tips
- Presentation: Serve Fried Chicken Bites on a platter with parsley and lemon wedges for stunning crispy chicken bites.
- Garnish: Add a sprinkle of parsley to these golden chicken bites.
- Pairing: Enjoy with Layla Cooks’ Pomegranate Margarita or coleslaw.
- Portion Size: 4–5 bites per person for a satisfying appetizer or meal.
- Occasions: Perfect for game day, parties, or quick dinners.
FAQs About Fried Chicken Bites
Here are answers to common questions about this dish:
Can I use chicken thighs?
Yes, thighs are juicier for these tender chicken nuggets; cut into 1-inch pieces.
Can I make it gluten-free?
Use gluten-free flour and panko for gluten-free crispy chicken bites.
How do I keep them crispy?
Chill breaded chicken before cooking and avoid overcrowding for crunchy golden chicken bites.
Can I skip the marinade?
Marinating for at least 30 minutes tenderizes these Fried Chicken Bites.
Can I bake or air-fry instead of frying?
Yes, bake at 400°F for 15–20 minutes or air-fry at 375°F for 10–12 minutes for healthier tender chicken nuggets.
More Chicken Recipes
- Chicken Piccata with Lemon Sauce
- Chicken Cabbage Savory Pirog
- Chicken and Broccoli Baked Alfredo
- Green Chile Chicken Enchiladas
- Mexican Pulled Chicken
Conclusion
These crispy chicken bites are easy to make, versatile, and loved by all. Whip up this golden chicken bites dish, pair with your favorite dipping sauce, and enjoy a crowd-pleasing treat!
Whip up this golden chicken bites dish, pair with your favorite dipping sauce, and enjoy a crowd-pleasing treat!
Fried Chicken Bites
Ingredients
For the Marinade:
- 1 lb 450g boneless chicken breast or thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 cup 240ml buttermilk
- 1 tsp sea salt
For the Flour Coating:
- ¾ cup 90g all-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour)
- 1½ tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp sweet paprika
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
For the Breading and Cooking:
- 2 cups 120g panko breadcrumbs (or gluten-free panko)
- Cooking oil for frying, or cooking spray for baking/air-frying
For Garnish:
- Fresh parsley chopped
- Lemon wedges
Instructions
Marinate the Chicken
- In a large bowl, I mix 1 lb chicken pieces with 1 cup buttermilk and 1 tsp sea salt, ensuring all pieces are coated. I cover and marinate for 30 minutes at room temperature or up to 4 hours in the fridge for tender golden chicken bites.
Prepare the Breading Stations
- In one shallow bowl, I whisk ¾ cup flour, 1½ tsp baking powder, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp onion powder, 1 tsp paprika, 1 tsp salt, and 1 tsp black pepper. In another, I place 2 cups panko. These stations make coating these crispy chicken bites easy.
Bread the Chicken
- I remove chicken from the buttermilk, letting excess drip off. I dredge each piece in the flour mixture, dip back into the buttermilk, then coat in panko. I place breaded pieces on a baking sheet and refrigerate for 15 minutes to set the coating for crunchy tender chicken nuggets.
Cook the Chicken
- For Frying: I heat 1½ inches of oil in a skillet to 350°F (use a thermometer). I fry chicken in batches, 3–4 minutes per side, until golden, then drain on paper towels.
- For Baking: I preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C), place chicken on a foil-lined baking sheet with a wire rack, spray with cooking spray, and bake for 15–20 minutes, flipping halfway.
- For Air-Frying: I cook at 375°F (190°C) for 10–12 minutes, shaking halfway. I ensure 165°F internal temperature for these Fried Chicken Bites.
Notes
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