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Crispy Chicken Bites with Homemade Sweet Chili Sauce

A pile of golden brown Crispy Chicken Bites served on a white plate next to a small bowl of sweet chili sauce.
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Make crunchy, snackable chicken bites and pair them with a simple, balanced sweet chili dipping sauce.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon paprika
  • 2 large eggs, beaten
  • 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
  • Vegetable oil, for frying (or cooking spray for air frying)
  • For the Sauce:
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1/4 cup rice vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the chicken: In a shallow dish, mix the flour, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika. In a second dish, place the beaten eggs. In a third dish, place the panko breadcrumbs.
  2. Dredge each chicken piece first in the flour mixture, shaking off excess. Dip it into the egg, letting excess drip off. Finally, press it firmly into the panko breadcrumbs to coat completely. Place coated pieces on a wire rack.
  3. Make the sweet chili sauce: In a small saucepan, combine sugar and water. Heat over medium heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves.
  4. In a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and 2 tablespoons of cold water to create a slurry.
  5. Add the rice vinegar, soy sauce, minced garlic, and red pepper flakes to the saucepan. Bring the mixture to a simmer.
  6. Whisk the cornstarch slurry again and slowly pour it into the simmering sauce while stirring constantly. Cook for 1-2 minutes until the sauce thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon. Remove from heat and set aside.
  7. Cook the chicken: For deep frying, heat 2 inches of oil in a heavy pot to 350°F (175°C). Fry the chicken bites in batches for 3-4 minutes until golden brown and cooked through. Drain on paper towels.
  8. For air frying, lightly spray the coated chicken bites with cooking spray. Air fry at 400°F (200°C) for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden and crisp.
  9. Serve the hot crispy chicken bites immediately with the homemade sweet chili sauce for dipping.

Notes

  • For extra crispiness when baking or air frying, let the coated chicken rest in the refrigerator for 15 minutes before cooking.
  • If you prefer a thinner sauce, add a little more water to the sauce mixture while simmering.
  • You can substitute chicken thighs for breasts for a richer flavor.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://flavorzine.com/crispy-chicken-bites-with-sweet-chili-sauce/