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Crispy Hot Honey Chicken Bites

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Golden, crispy chicken bites coated in a sticky, sweet and spicy hot honey glaze. Perfect for game day, casual dinners, or party appetizers with a nostalgic crunch and modern twist.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • ¾ cup all-purpose flour
  • ¼ cup cornstarch
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 large egg, beaten
  • ¾ cup buttermilk or whole milk
  • Vegetable oil or canola oil (about 3 cups) for deep frying
  • ½ cup honey
  • 2 tablespoons hot sauce (e.g., Frank’s RedHot or sriracha)
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • Pinch of salt
  • Chopped fresh parsley or green onions (optional, for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Cut chicken into roughly 1½-inch bite-sized pieces and pat dry with paper towels.
  2. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, cornstarch, baking powder, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper.
  3. In a separate bowl, beat the egg with buttermilk until smooth.
  4. Dip each chicken piece into the wet mixture, letting excess drip off, then dredge thoroughly in the dry flour mix. For extra crunch, double-dip by repeating the wet and dry steps.
  5. Place coated pieces on a wire rack and rest for 10 minutes to set the batter.
  6. Heat oil in a deep fryer or heavy-bottomed pot to 350°F (175°C).
  7. Fry chicken bites in batches of 6-8 pieces for 4-5 minutes or until golden brown and cooked through (internal temp 165°F / 74°C). Turn halfway through cooking.
  8. Drain fried chicken on a wire rack set over a baking sheet to keep crispy.
  9. While frying, combine honey, hot sauce, apple cider vinegar, red pepper flakes (if using), and salt in a small saucepan. Warm over low heat, stirring gently until slightly thickened (about 3 minutes). Do not boil.
  10. Transfer fried chicken to a large bowl, pour warm hot honey glaze over, and toss gently to coat evenly.
  11. Garnish with chopped parsley or green onions if desired and serve immediately.

Notes

Dry chicken pieces thoroughly before battering to avoid soggy coating. Maintain oil temperature at 350°F for best results. Do not overcrowd the pan when frying. Warm the honey glaze gently without boiling to prevent bitterness. Toss chicken gently in glaze to keep crust intact. Keep cooked chicken warm on a wire rack in a low oven (200°F) if needed.

Nutrition

Keywords: crispy chicken bites, hot honey chicken, sweet spicy glaze, fried chicken, game day recipe, easy chicken appetizer

Find it online: https://islatable.com/crispy-hot-honey-chicken-bites-recipe-easy-sweet-spicy-glaze/