Spice up your game day spread with these mouthwatering buffalo chicken bites!
Perfect for sharing, these addictive little morsels pack all the bold flavors of traditional buffalo wings without the pesky bones.
I’ll be honest: frying up the chicken pieces is a bit messy. But it’s so worth it for that perfect crunch. And my family couldn’t get enough of them!
Why You’ll Love These Buffalo Chicken Bites
Quick & Easy: With simple ingredients and minimal prep time, this recipe is perfect for busy weeknights or last-minute entertaining.
Customizable Heat: Adjust the amount of hot sauce to suit your desired level of heat, from mild to fiery.
Versatile Dish: Buffalo chicken bites can be enjoyed on their own, tucked into sliders, tossed into salads, or even used as a topping for nachos or pizza.
Ingredients
- Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts: Juicy and lean, you’ll cut them into chunks for maximum surface area and ensure even cooking.
- Frank’s RedHot Original Cayenne Pepper Sauce: The MVP of buffalo flavor. Tangy, spicy, and oh-so-satisfying.
- All-Purpose Flour: The essential coating to create a crispy exterior that locks in the juices.
- Olive Oil: The sizzling sidekick that ensures a golden brown crust.
- Unsalted Butter: The rich and creamy component that tames the heat and adds a luxurious finish to the sauce.
- Seasonings: Kosher salt, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper. The seasoning squad that brings out the best in the chicken.
How to Make Buffalo Chicken Bites
Buffalo chicken in bite-sized form is such a genius idea. You get all that irresistible flavor without the mess of eating wings.
And they come together in minutes!
1. PREP. Cut the chicken into nuggets and pat dry. Mix the coating ingredients in a bowl.
2. DREDGE the chicken in the spiced flour, being sure to coat all sides well.
3. COOK the chicken in a hot skillet with oil. Work in batches, if needed, then remove the meat from the pan.
4. ADD the butter and hot sauce, mixing well, then add the chicken and stir until well-coated.
5. SERVE when the chicken is cooked with celery sticks and ranch dressing.
Tips For the Best Buffalo Chicken Bites
These little bites pack a serious punch of flavor with their crispy breading, juicy chicken, and that iconic buffalo sauce we all love.
And with these tips, they’re perfect every time!
- Try a marinade. For ultra-tender, super flavorful chicken, cube and marinade it in a mix of 1 cup buttermilk + 1/2 cup hot sauce. Cover and chill for a few hours, then shake off the excess before dredging in the flour.
- Dry the chicken. Pat the chicken pieces dry with paper towels before coating them in the flour mixture to help it adhere better.
- Double-coating: Dredge the meat in flour, then in a beaten egg, and back in flour. This will make them extra crispy!
- Even pieces. Cut the chicken into uniform 2-inch pieces so they cook evenly.
- Hot oil. Make sure the oil is hot before adding the chicken so it fries up crispy. The oil is ready when it sizzles and bubbles around a wooden spoon.
- Don’t overcrowd the pan. Fry the chicken in batches so it can brown properly.
- Bake them! Want to cut down on the oil? Bake the bites in a single layer at 400°F for about 12-15 minutes, flipping halfway through.
- Variations. Try different sauces like honey mustard, BBQ, or sweet chili sauce. You can also add spices like cayenne or smoked paprika to the flour mixture.
- Serving suggestions. Serve with carrot and celery sticks, ranch or blue cheese dressing for dipping, and cold beer or lemonade to tame the heat. Buffalo chicken bites also go great with mac and cheese, coleslaw, or on top of a salad.