If you’re looking to shake up snack time, or simply wow your friends on game night, you need Buffalo Chicken Bites in your life. These bite-sized wonders deliver all the excitement of classic buffalo wings in a convenient, poppable package that’s impossible to resist. With perfectly tender chicken, a crispy coating, and a spicy, buttery buffalo glaze, each bite packs flavor, heat, and crunch! They’re perfect as appetizers, party platters, or even as a bold main dish—making them an instant favorite you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Let’s talk about the building blocks of flavor! Every ingredient in Buffalo Chicken Bites is simple, but plays a crucial role in creating a perfectly crispy and zesty experience. Here’s what you’ll need, along with helpful tips for each component.
- Chicken Breasts: Opt for boneless, skinless chicken breasts for juicy bites that cook evenly and stay super tender inside.
- All-Purpose Flour: This ensures the coating sticks to every piece and adds a delicate, golden crunch.
- Salt: Don’t skip it! A little salt brings out all the flavors and keeps your chicken bites from tasting flat.
- Black Pepper: Freshly cracked black pepper gives a gentle heat and balances out the spice of the buffalo sauce.
- Garlic Powder: Adds a subtle savory note that complements the tangy buffalo flavor without overpowering.
- Eggs: Beaten eggs help the breadcrumbs cling to the chicken for maximum crunch and keep everything together during frying.
- Breadcrumbs or Panko: Panko will give you extra crunch, while classic breadcrumbs offer a finer texture—choose based on your crunch preference!
- Buffalo Wing Sauce: This is where the magic happens. Choose your favorite store-bought or homemade buffalo sauce for the best flavor punch.
- Unsalted Butter: Melted with buffalo sauce, butter rounds out the heat and helps the sauce thoroughly coat every bite.
- Oil for Frying: Use a neutral oil with a high smoke point, such as canola or vegetable oil, for crisp, golden results.
- Ranch or Blue Cheese Dressing: Serve alongside for a cooling, creamy dip that cuts through the heat and completes your platter.
How to Make Buffalo Chicken Bites
Step 1: Prep the Chicken
Start by cutting your chicken breasts into even, 1-inch pieces. Uniform chunks ensure every Buffalo Chicken Bite cooks at the same rate, so you don’t end up with some dry bits and some raw ones. Pat the pieces dry with a paper towel—this helps the coating stick and crisp up perfectly during frying.
Step 2: Set Up Your Dredging Station
Organize three shallow bowls: one for the flour, salt, pepper, and garlic powder; a second for the beaten eggs; and a third for your breadcrumbs or panko. This assembly line approach keeps things tidy and speeds up the process, ensuring every chicken piece gets an even and thorough coating.
Step 3: Coat the Chicken
Dip each chicken piece first in the seasoned flour mixture, making sure all sides are covered. Shake off any excess, then coat it in the beaten eggs—let the extra drip off so it doesn’t get too soggy. Finally, roll it all over in the breadcrumbs until every inch is covered and the surface feels nice and dry. This triple coating guarantees the crispiest Buffalo Chicken Bites imaginable!
Step 4: Fry to Golden Perfection
Heat about two inches of oil in a deep skillet or fryer to 350°F, using a thermometer for best results. Fry the chicken bites in batches so you don’t overcrowd the pan, for about 4 to 5 minutes each batch. They should be deep golden and the internal temperature should reach 165°F. Drain them immediately on a plate lined with paper towels, keeping them crisp and ready for their saucy makeover.
Step 5: Toss in Buffalo Sauce
In a small saucepan over low heat, melt the butter gently and stir in the buffalo sauce until fully combined. Working quickly, toss the hot chicken bites in the sauce so each bite is glistening and fiery red. Serve them straight away—the glaze locks in the flavor and keeps the coating crispy!
How to Serve Buffalo Chicken Bites
Garnishes
Buffalo Chicken Bites are gorgeous right out of the pan, but a sprinkle of thinly sliced green onions, fresh parsley, or even some crumbled blue cheese will really amp up the presentation and flavor. A light dusting of paprika adds a touch of smokiness and extra visual appeal.
Side Dishes
You can never go wrong pairing these bites with classic celery sticks and carrot slices. The cool crunch balances the spice perfectly. For a heartier spread, consider serving with coleslaw, oven fries, or a simple side salad to round out the meal.
Creative Ways to Present
Want to make your Buffalo Chicken Bites the life of the party? Thread them onto skewers with slices of bell pepper, serve them on mini sliders with slaw, or pile them into lettuce cups for a fresh, handheld twist. They’re also perfect tossed into mac and cheese or used to top a loaded pizza!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you somehow have leftovers, store your Buffalo Chicken Bites in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. They’ll hold onto their flavor, though the coating may soften slightly over time.
Freezing
To freeze, let the cooked bites cool completely, then arrange them in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid. Transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container, and they’ll keep beautifully for up to three months. For best results, freeze them before tossing in buffalo sauce, then sauce after reheating.
Reheating
For crispy results, reheat Buffalo Chicken Bites in a 375°F oven or air fryer for 8 to 10 minutes, or until hot and crunchy. Avoid microwaving if you want to preserve the original texture—you’ll be rewarded with bites that taste just as good as the day you made them!
FAQs
Can I bake Buffalo Chicken Bites instead of frying?
Absolutely! Arrange the coated chicken pieces on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake at 400°F for about 20 to 22 minutes, flipping halfway. You’ll get nicely crisp bites with a fraction of the oil and cleanup.
What’s the best buffalo sauce to use?
Use your favorite store-bought buffalo wing sauce or whip up a homemade version if you like it extra spicy. Some like the classic tang of Frank’s RedHot, while others opt for milder or even smoky variations—pick what makes your mouth water!
How do I make Buffalo Chicken Bites low carb?
It’s easy to turn these bites keto-friendly! Swap the flour for almond flour and use crushed pork rinds instead of breadcrumbs or panko. They’ll turn out super satisfying and just as flavorful.
Can I prep these Buffalo Chicken Bites ahead of time?
You can absolutely bread the chicken and keep it refrigerated for several hours before frying. When ready to serve, fry fresh, toss in warm sauce, and enjoy piping hot.
What dipping sauces go best with Buffalo Chicken Bites?
The classics—ranch and blue cheese—pair beautifully by offering a cooling balance to the heat. For something different, try honey mustard or a creamy avocado dip for a new spin on a trusted favorite.
Final Thoughts
Buffalo Chicken Bites are that next-level appetizer or crowd-pleaser you’ll want to whip up time and again. Their bold flavor, crisp texture, and irresistible dipping possibilities make them unforgettable. Try them out soon and experience how these fiery little bites can steal the show at any gathering!
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Buffalo Chicken Bites Recipe
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
These Buffalo Chicken Bites are crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and coated in a spicy buffalo sauce that packs a punch. Perfect for game day or as a flavorful appetizer, these bites are sure to be a hit with your friends and family.
Ingredients
For the Chicken Bites:
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- 1 cup breadcrumbs or panko
- Oil for frying
For the Buffalo Sauce:
- 1/2 cup buffalo wing sauce
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
For Serving:
- Ranch or blue cheese dressing
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: In a shallow dish, mix flour, salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Dip chicken pieces into the flour mixture, then into beaten eggs, and finally coat with breadcrumbs.
- Fry the Chicken: Heat oil in a deep skillet or fryer to 350°F. Fry chicken bites in batches for 4–5 minutes until golden and cooked through, draining on paper towels.
- Make the Buffalo Sauce: In a small saucepan over low heat, melt butter and stir into buffalo wing sauce. Toss the fried chicken bites in the buffalo sauce until evenly coated.
- Serve: Serve immediately with ranch or blue cheese dressing for dipping.
Notes
- You can bake these at 400°F for 20–22 minutes for a lighter version.
- For extra crunch, use panko breadcrumbs.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Main Course
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6–8 bites
- Calories: 310
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 620 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 15 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 24 g
- Cholesterol: 105 mg
