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Crispy Cowboy Butter Chicken Bites

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Crispy chicken bites tossed in a rich, buttery cowboy butter sauce with smoky spices, perfect for game day or casual snacking.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 ½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour (can swap with gluten-free flour if needed)
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon chili powder
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • 2 large eggs, beaten
  • Vegetable oil, for frying (about 2 cups or enough for shallow frying)
  • ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, finely chopped (or 1 teaspoon dried parsley)
  • 1 teaspoon fresh thyme or ½ teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 teaspoon honey
  • ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
  • ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Rinse and pat dry chicken pieces. Cut into roughly 1 to 1 ½ inch bites. Set aside.
  2. In a shallow bowl, combine flour, smoked paprika, garlic powder, chili powder, salt, and pepper. Whisk together.
  3. In a separate bowl, lightly beat the eggs until smooth and set aside.
  4. Dip each chicken bite into the egg mixture, letting excess drip off, then dredge thoroughly in the flour-spice mix. For extra crunch, double-dip by repeating the egg and flour steps.
  5. Pour about 1 to 1 ½ inches of vegetable oil into a skillet. Heat over medium-high until oil reaches 350°F (175°C).
  6. Add chicken bites in batches, avoiding overcrowding. Fry for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown and crispy. Internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C). Flip gently with tongs.
  7. Remove chicken bites with a slotted spoon and place on a wire rack or paper towels to drain excess oil.
  8. While chicken fries, melt butter in a small saucepan over medium-low heat. Add minced garlic, parsley, thyme, honey, smoked paprika, cayenne (if using), salt, and pepper. Stir for 2-3 minutes until fragrant but not browned. Remove from heat.
  9. Place fried chicken bites in a large bowl and pour warm cowboy butter over them. Toss gently to coat evenly.
  10. Serve immediately with optional garnishes like extra parsley or a squeeze of fresh lemon juice.

Notes

Use a thermometer to maintain oil temperature at 350°F for best crispiness. Double-dip chicken in egg and flour for extra crunch. Drain fried chicken on a wire rack to avoid sogginess. Make cowboy butter while frying chicken to keep sauce warm. For gluten-free, swap flour with almond or gluten-free flour. For dairy-free, use vegan butter or coconut oil in sauce.

Nutrition

Keywords: crispy chicken bites, cowboy butter, game day snack, fried chicken, easy chicken recipe, buttery chicken, smoky chicken bites

Find it online: https://yumnode.com/crispy-cowboy-butter-chicken-bites-recipe-easy-game-day-snack/