The Fried Chicken Bites are a simple main course, irresistible and perfect for the whole family. Golden outside and tender inside, they win you over at the first bite thanks to their crunchy coating and juicy center. They are ideal for a tasty dinner, a homemade aperitif or even for a buffet and everyone loves them — children especially go crazy for them. They are prepared with just a few ingredients and can be cooked either in a pan or in the oven for a lighter but equally crispy version. Chicken is a meat I often choose when I want to prepare a simple and tasty main course like Chicken alla puttanesca and Chicken Cordon Bleu. I went all out and fried my chicken nuggets, but for a lighter variation you can bake them in the oven or cook them in an air fryer — a definitely lighter but still crispy version. For the coating I chose to use panko, a flaked breadcrumb typical of Japanese cuisine that gives foods a special crispiness. My fried chicken is egg-free; I simply prepared a batter with water and flour to replace the eggs. Let’s head to the kitchen and make together the crispiest chicken you’ve ever tasted.
DON’T MISS THESE RECIPES TOO:
- Difficulty: Easy
- Cost: Economical
- Rest time: 15 Minutes
- Preparation time: 15 Minutes
- Cooking time: 20 Minutes
- Portions: 4 People
- Cooking methods: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
- Energy 371.65 (Kcal)
- Carbohydrates 38.03 (g) of which sugars 1.43 (g)
- Proteins 29.98 (g)
- Fat 12.39 (g) of which saturated 2.37 (g)of which unsaturated 9.06 (g)
- Fibers 3.55 (g)
- Sodium 225.02 (mg)
Indicative values for a portion of 200 g processed in an automated way starting from the nutritional information available on the CREA* and FoodData Central** databases. It is not food and / or nutritional advice.
* CREATES Food and Nutrition Research Center: https://www.crea.gov.it/alimenti-e-nutrizione https://www.alimentinutrizione.it ** U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service. FoodData Central, 2019. https://fdc.nal.usda.gov
Ingredients for egg-free fried chicken bites
- 1 lb 2 oz chicken breast
- 4 cups panko
- 3/4 cup + 1 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 2/3 cup water
- to taste salt
- 1 1/4 cups vegetable oil (for frying)
How to prepare the Fried Chicken Bites
Cut the chicken breast into small pieces. Prepare a batter by mixing the flour with the water in a bowl, whisking to obtain a smooth, thick batter. Dip the chicken bites first into the batter and then, a few at a time, into the panko.
You can make it following my recipe which you find HERE, buy it ready-made or substitute it with regular breadcrumbs. To prevent the coating from detaching from the chicken bites, I recommend pressing the coating firmly and letting the breaded bites rest 10-15 minutes before cooking.
All that’s left is to plunge them a few at a time into hot vegetable oil, letting them brown well on all sides. I always prefer to use a small, deep pan. Let them drain on kitchen paper. Serve them with a fresh salad, a yogurt and cucumber sauce or simply a squeeze of lemon.
See you tomorrow with a new recipe, hugs, Loredana
Loredana’s Tips
The cooked chicken bites can be kept in the refrigerator for 1–2 days in an airtight container. To bring back their crispiness, reheat them in the oven or in an air fryer for a few minutes.
Also don’t miss the recipe for Baked Chicken Meatballs
Your questions
How can I make the chicken bites crunchier?
To get chicken bites that are crunchy outside and tender inside, you can do a double coating (batter and breadcrumbs twice). When cooking in the oven or air fryer, it’s also important not to overcrowd them during cooking.
Can I bake the chicken bites instead of frying them?
Yes, oven-baked chicken bites are a great lighter alternative. Just cook them at 392°F for about 20 minutes, turning them halfway through and adding a drizzle of oil to help browning. For an even more golden crust, turn on the grill for the last 3 minutes.
Can I make the chicken bites in an air fryer?
Of course. Air fryer chicken bites cook at 374°F for 15–18 minutes. The result is crispy with less fat compared to traditional frying.
Can I prepare them in advance?
You can bread the chicken bites in advance and keep them in the refrigerator for a few hours before cooking. It is recommended to cook them at the time to preserve their crispiness.
Can I freeze the chicken bites?
Yes, you can freeze them raw after breading. Cook them straight from frozen, increasing the cooking time slightly.
