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Buffalo Chicken Bites are a popular party or game-day food that are easy to make and sure to be a crowd-pleaser. Serve with your favorite dipping sauce for a tasty and satisfying appetizer that's perfect for sharing with friends and family.
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Buffalo chicken bites are a popular appetizer or party food that are sure to be a hit with anyone who loves spicy, tangy flavors. This recipe uses boneless, skinless chicken breasts that are cut into bite-sized pieces, which are then coated in a spicy buffalo sauce and crispy panko bread crumbs.
These chicken bites are a delicious and easy-to-make appetizer that are perfect for game day, parties, or any time you're craving something spicy and flavorful.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick and easy. This recipe comes together quickly and easily, making it perfect for busy weeknights or last-minute get-togethers.
- Deliciously crispy. The panko bread crumbs give the chicken bites a deliciously crispy texture that's sure to satisfy your cravings.
- Spicy and flavorful. The buffalo hot sauce and crushed red pepper add a nice kick of heat and flavor to the chicken bites, making them a great choice for those who love bold, spicy flavors.
- Versatile. This recipe can be easily adjusted to suit your taste preferences. You can use more or less buffalo sauce and crushed red pepper to make the chicken bites more or less spicy.
- Perfect for sharing. Buffalo chicken bites are a great party food that's perfect for sharing with friends and family. They're also a great finger food for game day, movie night, or any time you want a tasty and satisfying snack.
Ingredients You'll Need
- Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts: Cut into bite-sized pieces to make it easier to coat them in the buffalo sauce and bread crumbs.
- Buffalo Hot Sauce: A classic ingredient in buffalo chicken recipes and adds a delicious, spicy flavor to the chicken bites.
- Panko Bread Crumbs: Adds a crunchy texture to the chicken bites that's perfect for dipping in sauce.
- Crushed Red Pepper: Adds a nice kick of heat to the chicken bites and can be adjusted to your taste.
- Salt: Enhances the flavors of the other ingredients.
- Ground Black Pepper: Adds a mild spice and flavor to the chicken bites.
Step-By-Step Instructions
Step 1:
Place chicken in a large bowl. Toss with hot sauce, cover and refrigerate for a few hours, or overnight.
Step 2:
Preheat oven to 500 degrees F. Line baking sheet with parchment paper.
Step 3:
In a bowl, combine the panko bread crumbs, crushed red pepper, salt, and ground black pepper.
Step 4:
Dip each chicken piece in the panko mixture. Make sure to press the bread crumbs onto the chicken to help them adhere.
Step 5:
Place the coated chicken bites on the baking sheet. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until they're crispy and cooked through.
Expert Tips
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure that the chicken is fully cooked. The internal temperature of the chicken should reach 165 degrees F.
- To make the chicken bites extra crispy, you can double-coat them in the bread crumbs. Dip the chicken in the buffalo sauce, then in the bread crumbs, then back in the buffalo sauce, and finally in the bread crumbs again.
- For an even spicier kick, add a dash of cayenne pepper to the buffalo sauce or crushed red pepper.
- To make the chicken bites easier to handle, you can skewer them with toothpicks before baking.
Variations
- BBQ Chicken Bites: Swap out the buffalo sauce for your favorite BBQ sauce for a sweet and tangy twist.
- Honey Mustard Chicken Bites: Replace the buffalo sauce with a honey mustard dressing for a sweet and tangy flavor.
- Teriyaki Chicken Bites: Marinate the chicken in teriyaki sauce before coating it in bread crumbs for an Asian-inspired flavor.
- Parmesan Chicken Bites: Mix grated parmesan cheese with the bread crumbs for a cheesy and savory twist.
- Cajun Chicken Bites: Replace the crushed red pepper with cajun seasoning for a spicy, southern flavor.
- Garlic Chicken Bites: Mix minced garlic with the bread crumbs for a garlicky and savory flavor.
- Coconut Chicken Bites: Use shredded coconut instead of bread crumbs for a tropical twist.
- Thai Peanut Chicken Bites: Mix peanut butter with the buffalo sauce for a Thai-inspired flavor.
Storing & Freezing
Storing: Store an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. To reheat them, place them on a baking sheet and bake them in a preheated oven at 350 degrees F for 10-12 minutes or until heated through.
Freezing: If you want to freeze the buffalo chicken bites, it's best to freeze them before cooking. To do this, arrange the coated chicken bites on a baking sheet and place them in the freezer until they are frozen solid. Once frozen, transfer them to a freezer-safe container or bag and store them in the freezer for up to 3 months. To cook them from frozen, preheat the oven to 400 degrees F and bake them for 20-25 minutes or until they are cooked through and crispy.
Recipe FAQ's
Yes, you can use chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts if you prefer. Just make sure to adjust the cooking time accordingly as chicken thighs will take longer to cook than chicken breasts.
Yes, you can use any type of hot sauce you like in this recipe. However, buffalo sauce is traditionally used in buffalo chicken recipes and will give the dish its classic flavor.
Yes, you can use crushed cornflakes, or even crushed tortilla chips instead of bread crumbs for a different texture.
Yes, you can use gluten-free bread crumbs instead of regular bread crumbs to make this recipe gluten-free.
Other Chicken Recipes You’ll Love
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Buffalo Chicken Bites
Ingredients
- 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts cut into 1 ½-inch pieces
- ⅔ cup buffalo hot sauce I use Frank's Red Hot
- 1 cup panko bread crumbs
- 1 ½ tablespoons crushed red peppers
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
Instructions
- Place chicken in a large bowl. Toss with hot sauce, cover and refrigerate for a few hours, or overnight.
- Preheat oven to 500°F. Line baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a bowl, combine the panko bread crumbs, crushed red pepper, salt, and ground black pepper.
- Dip each chicken piece in the panko mixture. Make sure to press the bread crumbs onto the chicken to help them adhere.
- Place the coated chicken bites on the baking sheet. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until they're crispy and cooked through.
Notes
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure that the chicken is fully cooked. The internal temperature of the chicken should reach 165 degrees F.
- To make the chicken bites extra crispy, you can double-coat them in the bread crumbs. Dip the chicken in the buffalo sauce, then in the bread crumbs, then back in the buffalo sauce, and finally in the bread crumbs again.
- For an even spicier kick, add a dash of cayenne pepper to the buffalo sauce or crushed red pepper.
- To make the chicken bites easier to handle, you can skewer them with toothpicks before baking.
- Storing: Store an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. To reheat them, place them on a baking sheet and bake them in a preheated oven at 350 degrees F for 10-12 minutes or until heated through.
- Freezing: If you want to freeze the buffalo chicken bites, it's best to freeze them before cooking. To do this, arrange the coated chicken bites on a baking sheet and place them in the freezer until they are frozen solid. Once frozen, transfer them to a freezer-safe container or bag and store them in the freezer for up to 3 months. To cook them from frozen, preheat the oven to 400 degrees F and bake them for 20-25 minutes or until they are cooked through and crispy.
Nutrition
All nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered estimates. Actual nutritional content will vary with brands used, measuring methods, portion sizes and more.
Beth
These look delicious. My daughter and I love buffalo chicken so this is a must make. Have a great holiday weekend.
Emily Flint
These chicken bites are so fun. My family loved them and have already requested more!
Alejandra
These look like the perfect movie night snack food. I love baked alternatives to frying, and these look SO good!
Anjali
These turned out to be crispy, perfectly spiced and delicious! They were a great snack for our dinner party guests last night!