Buffalo chicken bites are a perfect blend of spicy and savory, making them an ideal appetizer or snack for any occasion. These bite-sized pieces of chicken are baked to perfection and then tossed in a tangy buffalo sauce, ensuring each bite is packed with flavor. Whether you're hosting a game day party or just craving something delicious, these buffalo chicken bites are sure to be a hit.
Most of the ingredients for this recipe are common pantry staples, but you might need to pick up buffalo sauce if you don't already have it on hand. Buffalo sauce is a spicy, tangy sauce typically made from hot sauce, vinegar, and butter. It's the key ingredient that gives these chicken bites their signature flavor. Make sure to also grab some chicken breast if you don't have any in your fridge.
Ingredients For Buffalo Chicken Bites Recipe
Chicken breast: Cut into bite-sized pieces, this is the main protein for the recipe.
All-purpose flour: Used to coat the chicken pieces, giving them a crispy texture when baked.
Salt: Enhances the flavor of the chicken and the coating.
Black pepper: Adds a bit of spice and depth to the coating mixture.
Buffalo sauce: A spicy, tangy sauce that gives the chicken bites their signature flavor.
Butter: Melted and mixed with the buffalo sauce to create a rich, flavorful coating.
Technique Tip for This Recipe
To ensure your chicken bites are extra crispy, try double-coating them. After the initial coating in the flour mixture, let the pieces rest for a few minutes, then coat them again before placing them on the baking sheet. This extra layer will help achieve a crunchier texture once baked.
Suggested Side Dishes
Alternative Ingredients
Chicken breast - Substitute with turkey breast: Turkey breast has a similar texture and flavor profile, making it a suitable alternative for bite-sized pieces.
Chicken breast - Substitute with tofu: For a vegetarian option, tofu can mimic the texture of chicken when properly seasoned and cooked.
All-purpose flour - Substitute with almond flour: Almond flour is a gluten-free alternative that provides a slightly nutty flavor and similar binding properties.
All-purpose flour - Substitute with cornstarch: Cornstarch can be used to achieve a crispy coating, though it may result in a lighter texture.
Salt - Substitute with soy sauce: Soy sauce can add a salty and umami flavor, enhancing the overall taste of the dish.
Salt - Substitute with sea salt: Sea salt can provide a more complex flavor profile compared to regular table salt.
Black pepper - Substitute with white pepper: White pepper offers a similar heat level but with a slightly different flavor, often described as more earthy.
Black pepper - Substitute with cayenne pepper: Cayenne pepper adds heat and a different spice profile, making the dish spicier.
Buffalo sauce - Substitute with sriracha sauce: Sriracha sauce provides a different type of heat and tanginess, offering a unique twist on the traditional buffalo flavor.
Buffalo sauce - Substitute with barbecue sauce: Barbecue sauce can give a sweet and smoky flavor, creating a different but delicious variation.
Butter - Substitute with olive oil: Olive oil can be used to achieve a similar richness and moisture without the dairy.
Butter - Substitute with coconut oil: Coconut oil provides a similar texture and can add a subtle coconut flavor, which can be a unique twist.
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How to Store / Freeze This Dish
Allow the buffalo chicken bites to cool completely before storing. This helps prevent condensation, which can make the bites soggy.
Place the cooled chicken bites in an airtight container. For best results, use a container that is just the right size to minimize air exposure.
If you plan to enjoy the chicken bites within a few days, store them in the refrigerator. They will stay fresh for up to 3-4 days.
For longer storage, consider freezing the chicken bites. Lay them out on a baking sheet in a single layer and freeze until solid. This prevents them from sticking together.
Once frozen, transfer the chicken bites to a freezer-safe bag or container. Label with the date to keep track of freshness.
When you're ready to enjoy the frozen chicken bites, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Place the bites on a baking sheet and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until heated through and crispy.
To maintain the best texture, avoid microwaving the chicken bites as this can make them rubbery. Reheating in the oven or an air fryer is recommended.
If you have leftover buffalo sauce, store it separately in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will keep for up to a week and can be used to refresh the chicken bites after reheating.
Serve the reheated chicken bites with fresh vegetables like celery and carrot sticks, and your favorite dipping sauces for a quick and satisfying meal.
How to Reheat Leftovers
Oven Method:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Place the buffalo chicken bites on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Cover the bites with aluminum foil to retain moisture.
- Heat for about 10-15 minutes, or until they are warmed through and crispy again.
- For extra crispiness, remove the foil for the last 5 minutes of reheating.
Air Fryer Method:
- Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C).
- Arrange the buffalo chicken bites in a single layer in the air fryer basket.
- Heat for 5-7 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through to ensure even reheating.
- Check for crispiness and heat an additional 1-2 minutes if needed.
Stovetop Method:
- Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat.
- Add a small amount of olive oil or butter to the skillet.
- Place the buffalo chicken bites in the skillet, ensuring they are in a single layer.
- Cover the skillet with a lid to help retain moisture.
- Heat for about 5-7 minutes, flipping occasionally until they are heated through and crispy.
Microwave Method:
- Place the buffalo chicken bites on a microwave-safe plate.
- Cover them with a damp paper towel to prevent drying out.
- Heat on medium power for 1-2 minutes, checking halfway through.
- If not heated through, continue in 30-second intervals until warm.
Toaster Oven Method:
- Preheat your toaster oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Place the buffalo chicken bites on a toaster oven tray.
- Cover with aluminum foil to keep them moist.
- Heat for 10-12 minutes, removing the foil for the last 3-4 minutes to regain crispiness.
Best Tools for This Recipe
Oven: Used to bake the chicken bites at 400°F (200°C) until they are crispy and cooked through.
Mixing bowl: Used to combine the flour, salt, and black pepper, and later to mix the buffalo sauce and melted butter.
Baking sheet: Used to place the coated chicken pieces on for baking.
Measuring cups: Used to measure out the flour and buffalo sauce accurately.
Measuring spoons: Used to measure the salt, black pepper, and melted butter.
Knife: Used to cut the chicken breast into bite-sized pieces.
Cutting board: Used as a surface to cut the chicken breast.
Tongs: Used to toss the baked chicken bites in the buffalo sauce mixture.
Small bowl: Used to melt the butter before mixing it with the buffalo sauce.
Whisk: Used to mix the buffalo sauce and melted butter together.
Serving platter: Used to serve the buffalo chicken bites immediately with your favorite dipping sauce.
How to Save Time on This Recipe
Prepare ingredients ahead: Cut the chicken breast into bite-sized pieces and mix the flour mixture the night before.
Use parchment paper: Line your baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
Melt butter in microwave: Quickly melt the butter in the microwave to save time.
Preheat oven early: Start preheating your oven while you prepare the chicken to save time.
Batch coating: Coat all chicken pieces in the flour mixture at once to streamline the process.
Buffalo Chicken Bites Recipe
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup buffalo sauce
- 2 tablespoon butter, melted
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- In a mixing bowl, combine the flour, salt, and black pepper.
- Coat the chicken pieces in the flour mixture.
- Place the coated chicken pieces on a baking sheet.
- Bake for 20 minutes, or until crispy and cooked through.
- In a separate bowl, mix the buffalo sauce and melted butter.
- Toss the baked chicken bites in the buffalo sauce mixture.
- Serve immediately with your favorite dipping sauce.
Nutritional Value
Keywords
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