Crispy, juicy Buffalo Chicken Bites made with chicken, cayenne, hot sauce, and butter—perfect for game days, quick snacks, or just because.
You know how some recipes come into your life like a lightning bolt? That’s exactly how these Buffalo Chicken Bites happened for me. I was hosting a last-minute football watch party (translation: chaos) and realized… I had zero fancy apps ready. Nada. So I did what any frantic snack-lover would do: raided my fridge. Some chicken breasts, hot sauce, a dream—and boom, these little bites were born.
Not gonna lie, they pretty much stole the show. People still ask me, “Hey, are you making those spicy chicken things again?” whenever there’s a game on. Honestly, they’re that addictive.
Why You’ll Love This Buffalo Chicken Bites Recipe?
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Fast and Fuss-Free: Ready in about 30 minutes. You could practically whip these up during halftime.
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Crispy but Juicy: That magic combo where the outside is crunchy, but the inside stays tender and moist? Chef’s kiss.
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Customizable Heat: Love it blazing hot? Tone it down? Totally up to you.
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Perfect for Parties: They’re tiny, they’re easy to grab, and they vanish from the plate.
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Versatile: Appetizer, snack, lazy dinner, late-night fridge raid—these bites fit into any moment you need comfort and flavor.
Ingredient Notes:
Flour:
Good ol’ all-purpose flour for a basic, foolproof crust. You could even spice it up with a little garlic powder if you’re feeling wild.
Cayenne Pepper:
This brings the heat. Want it hotter? Toss in an extra pinch or two. Want it milder? Pull back a bit—your call.
Salt and Pepper:
Simple but essential. Don’t skip ’em.
Eggs:
The sticky magic that helps the flour hug each piece of chicken.
Vegetable Oil:
Choose a neutral oil for frying, something that won’t overpower the spicy flavor we’re aiming for.
Chicken Breasts:
Boneless, skinless, and chopped into bite-sized pieces. (Pro tip: Try to keep them the same size so they cook evenly.)
Hot Sauce:
I’m a Frank’s RedHot fan, but honestly, any bold hot sauce will work. It’s the soul of the dish.
Garlic and Butter:
Because melted butter + garlic + hot sauce = absolute bliss. No further explanation needed.
How To Make Buffalo Chicken Bites?
Step 1: Set Up Your Breading Station
In one bowl, whisk together your flour, cayenne, salt, and pepper. In another bowl, beat your eggs. (This setup always makes me feel like a Food Network star. Anyone else?)
Step 2: Coat the Chicken
Dip each little chicken piece into the egg, then coat it in the flour mixture. Don’t be shy—make sure it’s fully covered so it gets super crispy.
Step 3: Fry It Up
Heat your oil in a large skillet. Once it’s hot (you’ll know when a little flour sizzles), start frying the chicken pieces in batches. About 3 minutes per side should do it. Set them on a paper towel to drain. Resist the urge to snack—they’re worth the wait.
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Step 4: Make the Buffalo Sauce
Microwave your hot sauce, butter, and garlic together for about a minute until melty and glorious. Stir it up and try not to just dunk your hand straight in. (Kidding… mostly.)
Step 5: Serve and Devour
You can toss the bites in the sauce or serve it on the side for dipping. Either way? You win.
Storage Options:
Pop any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge—they’ll be good for 2–3 days. Reheat them in a 375°F oven until crispy again. (Please, for the love of crunch, don’t microwave them unless you like sadness.)
Variations and Substitutions:
Because sometimes you gotta switch things up:
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Milder Version: Mix equal parts BBQ sauce and hot sauce. Sweet, smoky, and less fiery.
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Air Fryer Magic: Air-fry instead of deep frying! 400°F for about 10–12 minutes, flipping halfway.
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Different Proteins: Shrimp or tofu instead of chicken? Heck yes.
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Cheese It Up: Toss the finished bites with a sprinkle of blue cheese crumbles if you’re feeling fancy.
What to Serve with Buffalo Chicken Bites?
Buffalo Chicken Bites are total team players:
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Classic: Celery and ranch or blue cheese dressing.
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Party-Ready: Serve alongside jalapeño poppers, chips, and beer.
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Meal Mode: Toss them into a salad with ranch dressing and call it lunch.
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Movie Night: Big bowl of bites, Netflix, fuzzy socks. Bliss.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Can I bake these instead of frying?
Totally. Bake at 400°F for about 20 minutes, flipping once. They won’t be quite as crispy but still super tasty.
Can I make them ahead?
You bet! Bread the chicken and keep it chilled until you’re ready to fry or bake.
Can I freeze Buffalo Chicken Bites?
Yes! Freeze after frying but before saucing. Reheat in the oven until hot and crispy.
There you have it, friends! Spicy, crispy, and ready to rock your snack table. If you make these Buffalo Chicken Bites, you gotta let me know—what’s your favorite sauce combo? Let’s chat!
<Remember it later>
Planning to try this recipe soon? Pin it for a quick find later!
<Remember it later>
Planning to try this recipe soon? Pin it for a quick find later!
Keep the Flavor Coming – Try These:
Buffalo Chicken Bites
Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons cayenne pepper
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 2 large eggs beaten
- 1 cup vegetable oil
- 1 pound skinless boneless chicken breast halves, cut into 1-inch pieces
- ¼ cup hot sauce
- 1 tablespoon chopped garlic
- 1 teaspoon butter
Instructions
Prepare the Breading Station:
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cayenne pepper, salt, and ground black pepper. In a separate bowl, beat the eggs until smooth.
Coat the Chicken:
- Dip each chicken piece into the beaten eggs, ensuring it is fully coated. Transfer the chicken to the flour mixture and thoroughly coat each piece.
Heat the Oil:
- In a large saucepan, heat the vegetable oil over medium heat until shimmering but not smoking.
Fry the Chicken:
- Working in batches, fry the coated chicken pieces in the hot oil for approximately 3 minutes per side, or until the chicken is golden brown and no longer pink in the center. Remove the chicken and drain on a plate lined with paper towels.
Prepare the Buffalo Sauce:
- In a microwave-safe bowl, combine the hot sauce, chopped garlic, and butter. Microwave for approximately 1 minute, or until the butter is melted and the sauce is warmed through. Stir to combine.
Serve:
- Toss the fried chicken bites in the prepared Buffalo sauce or serve the sauce on the side as a dipping option. Serve immediately for the best texture and flavor.
Notes
I’m Bitty, owner of nodashofgluten.com, where I share simple, delicious recipes for all tastes, including gluten-free. Check out my “About Me” page for more info!
