Buffalo Chicken Bites

Bring a taste of spicy tang to your kitchen with these irresistible Buffalo Chicken Bites. Perfectly marinated and fried to a golden crisp, then drizzled with a tangy buffalo sauce, these bites are the ultimate crowd-pleaser. Whether served atop mac and cheese or as a standalone appetizer, they sure pack a punch!

Ingredients

🍗 2 chicken breasts (cut into bite-size pieces)
🥛 1 cup of milk
🍋 1 tablespoon lemon juice
🥒 1 cup pickle juice
🌶️ 1 teaspoon paprika
🧄 1 teaspoon garlic powder
🌶️ 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
🧅 1 teaspoon onion powder
🧂 1 teaspoon salt

🌾 1 cup of flour
🌶️ 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
🧅 1 teaspoon onion powder
🧄 1 teaspoon garlic powder
🌶️ 1 teaspoon paprika
🧂 1 teaspoon salt

🧈 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
🌶️ 1 cup buffalo sauce

Instructions

1- Prepare the Marination:

In a bowl, mix together 1 cup of milk with 1 tablespoon of lemon juice to create a buttermilk substitute. Alternatively, you can directly use 1 cup of buttermilk.
Add 1 cup of pickle juice, 1 teaspoon of paprika, 1 teaspoon of garlic powder, 1 teaspoon of cayenne pepper, 1 teaspoon of onion powder, and 1 teaspoon of salt to the mixture. Stir well to combine.
Submerge the bite-sized chicken pieces into the marination. Ensure they are well-coated. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or longer for more intense flavor.

2- Prepare the Flour Coating:

In another bowl, combine 1 cup of flour, 1/2 teaspoon of cayenne pepper, 1 teaspoon of onion powder, 1 teaspoon of garlic powder, 1 teaspoon of paprika, and 1 teaspoon of salt. Mix thoroughly and set aside.

3- Coat the Chicken:

Once marinated, remove the chicken pieces from the marination and immerse them in the flour mixture. Coat each piece evenly, ensuring that all sides are covered.

4- Fry the Chicken:

Heat oil in a deep pan to 350°F (175°C). Once heated, gently place the coated chicken pieces into the oil.
Fry until they turn crispy and golden brown. This should take about 5-7 minutes. Ensure not to overcrowd the pan for even cooking.
Once done, remove and drain excess oil on a paper towel.

5- Prepare the Buffalo Sauce:

In a small saucepan, melt 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter over medium heat.
Add 1 cup of your favorite buffalo sauce to the melted butter, stirring until well combined.

6- Toss the Chicken:

Place the fried chicken bites into a large bowl. Pour the prepared buffalo sauce over the top.
Gently toss until each chicken piece is evenly coated with the sauce.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes (including marination)
Servings: 4
Calories: 350 per serving
Nutritional Information (per serving): Proteins: 25g, Fats: 18g, Carbohydrates: 20g
Equipment: Mixing bowls, deep pan, saucepan, tongs