Fried Chicken Bites with Sweet Spicy Sauce Recipe
These Fried Chicken Bites with Sweet Spicy Sauce are crispy, tender, and packed with flavor. The chicken is coated in a crispy batter, fried to golden perfection, and then tossed in a deliciously tangy sweet and spicy sauce. It’s the perfect dish for a snack, appetizer, or dinner, with a balance of heat, sweetness, and crunch that will have you coming back for more.
These chicken bites offer the perfect combination of crispy golden batter and juicy chicken inside. The sweet and spicy sauce is the star of the dish, with a touch of honey for sweetness, chili flakes for heat, and a hint of garlic for extra flavor. The contrast between the crunchy chicken and the tangy sauce creates an irresistible flavor explosion with every bite.
Tools to Use:
- Large bowl (for marinating the chicken)
- Shallow bowl (for the coating)
- Large frying pan or deep fryer
- Tongs or slotted spoon
- Small saucepan (for the sauce)
- Paper towels (for draining the fried chicken)
Ingredients:
For the Chicken Bites:
- 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breast or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for extra heat)
- Vegetable oil for frying
For the Sweet Spicy Sauce:
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon sriracha or hot sauce (adjust to desired heat level)
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar (or white vinegar)
- 1 tablespoon ketchup
- 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger (optional)
- 1 teaspoon garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil (optional)
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for extra spice)
Instructions:
1. Prepare the Chicken Bites:
- In a bowl, mix the buttermilk, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Add the chicken pieces and marinate for at least 30 minutes (or up to 2 hours for more flavor).
2. Coat the Chicken:
- In a shallow bowl or plate, combine the flour, cornstarch, cayenne pepper, and a pinch of salt.
- Once the chicken has marinated, dredge the chicken pieces in the flour mixture, making sure to coat them evenly. Shake off any excess flour.
3. Fry the Chicken:
- Heat about 2 inches of vegetable oil in a large frying pan over medium-high heat, or use a deep fryer if you have one.
- Once the oil is hot (around 350°F or 175°C), fry the chicken bites in batches, being careful not to overcrowd the pan. Fry for about 4-5 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy, and the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F (75°C).
- Remove the chicken from the oil and place it on a paper towel-lined plate to drain any excess oil.
4. Make the Sweet Spicy Sauce:
- While the chicken is frying, combine all of the sauce ingredients in a small saucepan over medium heat.
- Stir to combine and bring the sauce to a simmer. Let it cook for about 2-3 minutes until it slightly thickens.
- Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning if needed, adding more honey for sweetness or sriracha for heat.
5. Toss the Chicken in the Sauce:
- Once all the chicken is fried, place the chicken bites in a large bowl. Pour the sweet spicy sauce over the chicken and toss to coat evenly.
- If desired, garnish with sesame seeds, green onions, or a drizzle of extra sauce.
6. Serve:
- Serve the fried chicken bites with a side of dipping sauce, a fresh salad, or enjoy them on their own for a delicious snack or appetizer!
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Fried Chicken Bites with Sweet Spicy Sauce Recipe
Equipment
- Large bowl (for marinating the chicken)
- Shallow bowl (for the coating)
- Large frying pan or deep fryer
- Tongs or slotted spoon
- Small saucepan (for the sauce)
- Paper towels (for draining the fried chicken)
Ingredients
- For the Chicken Bites:
- 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breast or thighs cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper optional, for extra heat
- Vegetable oil for frying
- For the Sweet Spicy Sauce:
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon sriracha or hot sauce adjust to desired heat level
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar or white vinegar
- 1 tablespoon ketchup
- 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger optional
- 1 teaspoon garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil optional
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes optional, for extra spice
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken Bites:
- In a bowl, mix the buttermilk, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Add the chicken pieces and marinate for at least 30 minutes (or up to 2 hours for more flavor).
- Coat the Chicken:
- In a shallow bowl or plate, combine the flour, cornstarch, cayenne pepper, and a pinch of salt.
- Once the chicken has marinated, dredge the chicken pieces in the flour mixture, making sure to coat them evenly. Shake off any excess flour.
- Fry the Chicken:
- Heat about 2 inches of vegetable oil in a large frying pan over medium-high heat, or use a deep fryer if you have one.
- Once the oil is hot (around 350°F or 175°C), fry the chicken bites in batches, being careful not to overcrowd the pan. Fry for about 4-5 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy, and the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F (75°C).
- Remove the chicken from the oil and place it on a paper towel-lined plate to drain any excess oil.
- Make the Sweet Spicy Sauce:
- While the chicken is frying, combine all of the sauce ingredients in a small saucepan over medium heat.
- Stir to combine and bring the sauce to a simmer. Let it cook for about 2-3 minutes until it slightly thickens.
- Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning if needed, adding more honey for sweetness or sriracha for heat.
- Toss the Chicken in the Sauce:
- Once all the chicken is fried, place the chicken bites in a large bowl. Pour the sweet spicy sauce over the chicken and toss to coat evenly.
- If desired, garnish with sesame seeds, green onions, or a drizzle of extra sauce.
- Serve:
- Serve the fried chicken bites with a side of dipping sauce, a fresh salad, or enjoy them on their own for a delicious snack or appetizer!
Tips for Cooking:
- Crispy Coating: For an extra crispy coating, you can double-dip the chicken. After dipping in the buttermilk mixture, coat the chicken in the flour mixture, dip it back into the buttermilk, and coat it again in the flour.
- Spicy Adjustments: If you prefer your sauce milder, reduce the amount of sriracha or hot sauce. You can also add a little more honey if you prefer a sweeter sauce.
- Frying: If you don’t have a thermometer, you can test the oil by dropping a small piece of batter into the oil. If it bubbles and rises to the surface quickly, the oil is hot enough for frying.
Why You Should Try This Recipe:
These Fried Chicken Bites with Sweet Spicy Sauce are the perfect combination of crispy, juicy chicken and a tangy, sweet, and spicy sauce. Whether you’re looking for an appetizer for your next party or a fun twist on fried chicken for dinner, this dish is sure to become a family favorite. The balance of flavors in the sauce, along with the satisfying crunch of the chicken, will keep everyone coming back for more.
Enjoy the crispy, flavorful perfection of Fried Chicken Bites with Sweet Spicy Sauce – a dish that’s sure to satisfy your cravings for something both sweet and spicy. Serve it up as a delicious snack, party appetizer, or meal that everyone will love.