Crispy Fried Chicken Bites
Golden, crunchy, and bite-sized, these Crispy Fried Chicken Bites are perfect for parties, game nights, or just treating yourself with a cozy, snackable classic. Flavor-packed and easy to customize!
Equipment
- Mixing Bowls
- Deep Fryer or Heavy Pot
- Wire Rack
- Thermometer
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1.5 lb chicken breast or thighs cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup cornstarch
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- oil for frying peanut or canola oil preferred
Garlic Parmesan Variation (Optional)
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tbsp melted butter
- 2 cloves garlic minced
Instructions
- In a bowl, marinate chicken pieces in buttermilk, salt, pepper, and paprika for at least 30 minutes or overnight.
- In a separate bowl, mix flour, cornstarch, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
- Heat about 2 inches of oil in a heavy pot to 350°F.
- Working in batches, dredge chicken pieces in seasoned flour mixture and fry for 3–4 minutes per side until golden and cooked through.
- Drain fried chicken bites on a wire rack.
- For garlic parmesan variation, toss hot chicken bites with melted butter, minced garlic, and grated Parmesan.
Notes
Double dredge for extra crunch. Use a thermometer to maintain frying temperature. Rest cooked bites on a wire rack to keep them crisp.