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Honey Walnut Chicken Bites

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These crispy honey walnut chicken bites are coated in a sticky-sweet honey glaze and topped with caramelized walnuts for the ultimate party appetizer. Easy to make and irresistibly crunchy, they’re perfect for gatherings, game nights, or whenever you crave a playful yet elegant snack.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 ½ lbs boneless, skinless chicken breast or thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour (or rice flour for lighter crunch)
  • ½ cup cornstarch
  • 2 large eggs, beaten
  • 1 cup buttermilk or whole milk
  • Vegetable oil for frying (canola or peanut oil recommended)
  • ½ cup honey
  • ¼ cup water
  • 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • Pinch of salt
  • 1 cup walnut halves
  • 2 tablespoons sugar (for walnuts)
  • 2 tablespoons water (for walnuts)
  • Thinly sliced green onions (optional garnish)
  • Toasted sesame seeds (optional garnish)
  • Extra drizzle of honey (optional garnish)

Instructions

  1. Pat chicken pieces dry with paper towels. Toss with salt, pepper, and garlic powder in a large bowl. Set aside for 10 minutes.
  2. In one bowl, whisk together flour and cornstarch. In another bowl, beat eggs and buttermilk until smooth.
  3. Dip chicken pieces in the egg/buttermilk mixture, then dredge in the flour/cornstarch mixture until well coated. For extra crunch, double dip.
  4. Combine walnuts, 2 tablespoons sugar, and 2 tablespoons water in a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir until sugar dissolves and walnuts are glossy and lightly golden (about 3-5 minutes). Transfer to a plate to cool.
  5. In the same saucepan, combine honey, ¼ cup water, 3 tablespoons sugar, mayonnaise, lemon juice, and a pinch of salt. Heat over medium-low, stirring constantly until smooth and slightly thickened (3-4 minutes). Remove from heat and let cool slightly. If too thick, add a splash of hot water.
  6. Heat 2 inches of oil in a heavy skillet to 350°F. Fry chicken pieces in batches, turning occasionally, until golden brown and cooked through (about 4-5 minutes per batch). Transfer to a paper towel-lined baking sheet.
  7. In a large bowl, gently toss fried chicken bites with honey glaze until coated. Add caramelized walnuts and toss just until combined. Reserve a few walnuts for topping if desired.
  8. Arrange chicken bites on a platter, sprinkle with reserved walnuts, sliced green onions, and sesame seeds. Serve warm.

Notes

For gluten-free, use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend and rice flour. For nut-free, substitute pumpkin seeds or omit nuts. Double-dip chicken for extra crunch. Keep oil at 350°F for best results. To keep bites warm and crispy, hold in a 200°F oven while frying batches. Leftovers reheat best in a hot oven. Mayo in the glaze creates a creamy texture—don’t skip it!

Nutrition

Keywords: honey walnut chicken, crispy chicken bites, appetizer, party food, Asian chicken, game day snacks, sweet and savory, fried chicken, easy chicken recipe

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