You know those game days when you need a snack that disappears faster than you can make it? That’s my buffalo chicken bites in a nutshell. I discovered this recipe during a desperate fridge clean-out—leftover rotisserie chicken, that half-used bottle of buffalo sauce, and just enough breadcrumbs to make magic happen. Now they’re my go-to for every gathering, from Super Bowl parties to “I just need something spicy” Tuesday nights. The best part? They’re ridiculously easy to throw together, with that perfect combo of crispy outside and juicy inside that’ll have everyone reaching for seconds (and thirds).
Why You’ll Love These Buffalo Chicken Bites
Listen, these little bites are the MVP of my snack lineup for good reason:
- Crazy quick: From fridge to table in under 35 minutes (hello, last-minute guests!)
- Texture magic: That golden crunch gives way to the juiciest chicken inside
- Spice control: Want mild or face-melting hot? You decide how much sauce to use
- Party superstar: They disappear faster than chips at any gathering I’ve ever hosted
Trust me, once you make a batch, you’ll understand why my friends now text me “bringing the buffalo bites?” before every potluck.
Ingredients for Buffalo Chicken Bites
Here’s everything you’ll need to make these addictive little bites – and yes, I’ve learned the hard way that measurements matter here:
- 2 cups cooked chicken (shredded, rotisserie works beautifully)
- 1/2 cup buffalo sauce (packed, I use Frank’s but any brand works)
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled, not packed)
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs (plain or panko for extra crunch)
- 1 large egg (beaten, room temp blends better)
- 1 tsp garlic powder (trust me, don’t skip this)
- 1/2 tsp each salt & black pepper
- 2 tbsp melted butter (for that golden crisp factor)
See? Nothing fancy, just pantry staples transformed into something magical. Now let’s get our hands messy!
How to Make Buffalo Chicken Bites
Alright, let’s turn these simple ingredients into crispy, spicy magic! I’ve made these enough times to know exactly how to get that perfect crunch-to-juicy ratio every single time.
Step 1: Prep the Chicken and Coating
First things first – grab your biggest mixing bowl (I use my trusty 4-quart one) and toss in that shredded chicken. Pour the buffalo sauce over it and get in there with your hands – yes, hands! – to make sure every single strand is coated. Let it sit for 5 minutes while you prep the coatings.
In one medium bowl, whisk together the flour, breadcrumbs, garlic powder, salt and pepper. In another bowl (smaller is fine), beat that egg until it’s completely smooth. Now you’ve got your assembly line ready!
Step 2: Coat and Bake the Bites
Here’s where the fun begins! Scoop about a tablespoon of saucy chicken (squeeze out excess sauce first), dunk it in the egg, then roll it in the breadcrumb mixture. Really press those crumbs in there – this is what gives you that amazing crunch. Place each bite about an inch apart on your parchment-lined baking sheet.
Now for the secret weapon – drizzle that melted butter over all the bites. It’ll make them golden and irresistible. Pop them in your preheated 400°F oven for 15 minutes, then check. Want extra crisp? Broil for 2-3 minutes (but watch them like a hawk!).
Step 3: Serving Suggestions
Serve these bad boys piping hot with cooling ranch or blue cheese dressing – the contrast is everything. I always throw some celery sticks on the platter too, because, well, tradition! Pro tip: double the batch because they’ll disappear faster than you can say “touchdown.”
Tips for Perfect Buffalo Chicken Bites
After burning my fair share of batches (oops!), I’ve learned these tricks for foolproof buffalo bites:
- Broiler boost: That last 2 minutes under the broiler? Game-changer for serious crunch – just don’t walk away!
- Heat control: Mix mild and hot sauces if you’re serving a crowd, or let everyone doctor their own with extra sauce on the side
- Rotisserie hack: That store-bought chicken isn’t cheating – it’s smart! Just pat it dry before saucing
- Sticky fingers fix: Keep one hand for wet ingredients, one for dry to avoid breadcrumb fingerpaint
Bonus? The messier you get making these, the better they taste – it’s science!
Buffalo Chicken Bites Variations
Oh, the possibilities! Once you’ve mastered the basic recipe, try these fun twists:
- Cheesy surprise: Tuck a cube of mozzarella inside each bite before coating – melty goodness alert!
- Sauce swap: Try BBQ, teriyaki, or even honey mustard instead of buffalo for a whole new flavor
- Air fryer magic: Cook at 380°F for 10 minutes, shaking halfway – gets them extra crispy without the butter drizzle
- Bacon boost: Mix crumbled bacon into the breadcrumbs for smoky crunch
My neighbor swears by adding blue cheese crumbles to the coating – messy but oh-so-worth it!
Storage and Reheating
Here’s the good news – if you somehow have leftovers (unlikely, I know!), these buffalo chicken bites keep beautifully. Just pop them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. When the craving hits again, skip the microwave – instead, reheat them in a 375°F oven or air fryer for 5-7 minutes. It brings back that perfect crunch like magic. My boyfriend swears they’re just as good reheated – though we’ve never actually tested that theory since they never last long enough!
Buffalo Chicken Bites Nutrition
Now, I’m no nutritionist, but here’s the scoop – these numbers are based on my exact recipe, but your mileage may vary depending on brands and tweaks. Each serving (about 6-7 bites) comes in around 280 calories with a whopping 22g of protein – not bad for something this delicious! Just remember that extra sauce or dressing will add to those numbers. But hey, balance is key – enjoy these spicy bites guilt-free at your next game day feast!
FAQs About Buffalo Chicken Bites
I get asked these questions all the time – here are my tried-and-true answers after making approximately a zillion batches:
Can I use frozen chicken? Absolutely! Thaw it completely first, then shred and pat it very dry. Excess moisture is the enemy of crispy bites. My trick? Spread it on a baking sheet in a 250°F oven for 10 minutes to evaporate extra water.
How to make them less spicy? Easy fix! Mix your buffalo sauce half-and-half with melted butter, or use mild wing sauce. Serving extra ranch or blue cheese dressing helps balance the heat too.
Can I prep ahead? You bet! Assemble the coated bites on the tray, cover with plastic, and refrigerate for up to 4 hours before baking. The texture actually improves as the coating sets. Just add 1-2 extra minutes to the bake time.
Air fryer vs oven? Both work great! Air fryer gives slightly crispier results in 8-10 minutes at 380°F. No need to drizzle butter – the circulating air does the work for you.
Why are my bites falling apart? If they’re not holding shape, you might need more binding. Try adding an extra egg white or 1 tbsp mayo to the chicken mixture – works like a charm!
Rate This Recipe
Did these buffalo chicken bites hit the spot for you? I’d love to hear how they turned out – drop a quick note below with your thoughts or any brilliant twists you tried!
Print35-Minute Buffalo Chicken Bites That Will Disappear Instantly
Crispy buffalo chicken bites are a quick and flavorful snack or appetizer. These spicy, tender bites are perfect for game day or a casual gathering.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Calorie
Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded
- 1/2 cup buffalo sauce
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp butter, melted
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a bowl, mix shredded chicken and buffalo sauce until coated.
- In another bowl, combine flour, breadcrumbs, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper.
- Beat the egg in a separate bowl.
- Take a spoonful of chicken, dip it in the egg, then coat with the breadcrumb mixture.
- Place the coated chicken bites on the baking sheet.
- Drizzle with melted butter.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes until golden and crispy.
- Serve with ranch or blue cheese dressing.
Notes
- Use leftover rotisserie chicken for easy prep.
- Adjust buffalo sauce to your preferred spice level.
- For extra crispiness, broil for 2-3 minutes at the end.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 recipe
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 980mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 110mg
