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Crispy Ranch Popcorn Chicken Bites

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These crispy ranch popcorn chicken bites are the ultimate crowd-pleasing snack for Super Bowl parties, potlucks, or family gatherings. With a tangy ranch-seasoned crust and juicy chicken inside, they’re easy to make and disappear fast!

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 1/2 cup buttermilk (or plain yogurt as substitute)
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour blend)
  • 2 large eggs, beaten
  • 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
  • 1 cup regular breadcrumbs
  • 1 packet (1 oz) ranch seasoning mix
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
  • Vegetable oil for frying (or olive oil spray for baking/air frying)
  • Optional: Ranch dressing, BBQ sauce, or honey mustard for dipping

Instructions

  1. Cut chicken into 1-inch cubes and pat dry with paper towels.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together buttermilk, salt, and pepper. Add chicken and toss to coat. Marinate for at least 15 minutes (up to 1 hour in the fridge).
  3. Set up three shallow bowls: one with flour, one with beaten eggs, and one with a mix of panko, regular breadcrumbs, ranch seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, and cayenne pepper.
  4. Dredge each piece of chicken in flour, then dip in eggs, then coat in the ranch breadcrumb mixture. Press gently to help coating stick. For extra crunch, double-dip in egg and breadcrumbs.
  5. For frying: Heat vegetable oil in a deep skillet or Dutch oven to 350°F. Fry chicken bites in batches for 3-4 minutes, turning once, until golden brown and cooked through (internal temp 165°F). Drain on paper towels.
  6. For baking: Preheat oven to 425°F. Arrange breaded chicken on a wire rack set over a baking sheet. Spray lightly with olive oil. Bake 18-20 minutes, flipping halfway, until crispy and cooked through.
  7. For air frying: Preheat air fryer to 400°F. Arrange chicken in basket in a single layer. Spray with olive oil. Cook in batches for 10-12 minutes, shaking halfway.
  8. Serve hot with ranch, BBQ sauce, or honey mustard for dipping.

Notes

Double-coating the chicken in egg and breadcrumbs creates extra crunch. For gluten-free, use gluten-free flour and breadcrumbs. For dairy-free, use unsweetened almond milk with vinegar and check ranch mix ingredients. Marinating in buttermilk keeps chicken tender. To keep bites crispy for a party, serve on a wire rack and reheat in oven or air fryer if needed.

Nutrition

Keywords: popcorn chicken, ranch chicken bites, Super Bowl snacks, party appetizer, crispy chicken, finger food, game day recipe

Find it online: https://evabake.com/crispy-ranch-popcorn-chicken-bites-recipe-for-super-bowl-parties/