Crispy Chicken Bites (Printable view)
Buttermilk-marinated chicken pieces fried to a golden, crunchy crust—ready in 30 minutes for snacking or parties.
# What You'll Need:
→ Chicken
01 - 1.1 pounds 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, as needed for deep frying
# Steps:
01 - In a mixing bowl, combine buttermilk, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Add the chicken pieces and toss until evenly coated. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to tenderize, if time permits.
02 - In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, corn starch, paprika, onion powder, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper until thoroughly blended.
03 - Pour vegetable oil into a deep frying pan or deep fryer to a depth of at least 1.5 inches and heat to 350°F.
04 - Remove each chicken piece from the marinade, allow excess liquid to drip off, and dredge thoroughly in the flour mixture until fully coated.
05 - Working in batches, carefully lower dredged chicken into hot oil. Fry for 3 to 4 minutes per batch, or until golden brown and cooked through. Remove using a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels.
06 - Serve the chicken bites hot or warm alongside your preferred dipping sauce.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The crust stays crisp even after cooling, so no sad soggy leftovers.
- Marinating the chicken in buttermilk takes basically zero effort but makes it taste like you fussed.
02 -
- If you crowd the pan, the oil temperature drops and everything gets disappointingly limp.
- Corn starch is the secret to a crust that really crackles with every bite.
03 -
- A quick rest in the marinade changes everything—don’t skip it if you can help it.
- Mix your dips in advance to keep the pre-meal chaos to a minimum.