Crispy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Bites
Crispy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Bites
Ingredients
For the Chicken
- 1 lb chicken breast, cut into small bite-size pieces
For the Marinade
- 3/4 cup buttermilk
- 1/4 cup pickle juice
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
For the Crispy Coating
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
For Frying
- 4 cups oil, for deep frying, or as needed
For the Garlic Parmesan Sauce
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 4 cloves garlic, finely minced or grated
- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped, or as needed
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, or as needed
- 1 tablespoon mayonnaise
For Garnish
- 2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese, extra, grated, for serving
Instructions
- 1
Cut the chicken breast into small, bite-sized pieces. Place the chicken pieces into a large bowl.
⏱️ 5 min
- 2
To the bowl with chicken, add the buttermilk, pickle juice, egg, 1 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon black pepper, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, and 1 teaspoon paprika. Mix all marinade ingredients with the chicken pieces using tongs until well coated.
⏱️ 5 min
- 3
Cover the bowl and marinate in the refrigerator for a minimum of 1 hour, or ideally for 4–12 hours for best flavor.
⏱️ 60 min - 4
In a separate shallow dish or bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, cornstarch, 1 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon black pepper, 1 teaspoon paprika, and 1 teaspoon garlic powder. Mix everything until well combined.
⏱️ 3 min
- 5
Take chicken pieces directly from the marinade and place them into the flour mixture. Press firmly on the chicken pieces in the flour mixture to create crinkles and texture. Ensure each piece is thoroughly coated.
⏱️ 5 min
- 6
Place the coated chicken pieces on a plate or wire rack and let them rest for 5–10 minutes before frying. This helps the coating adhere better.
⏱️ 5 min
- 7
Heat oil in a large pot or deep skillet to 340–350°F (170–175°C). Use a thermometer to monitor the temperature.
⏱️ 5 min•🌡️ 340
- 8
Fry the chicken in batches, being careful not to overcrowd the pan. Fry for 3–4 minutes until lightly golden. Remove the chicken from the oil and let it rest on a wire rack for 2–3 minutes.
⏱️ 8 min•🌡️ 340
- 9
Return the chicken to the hot oil and fry again for 2–3 minutes until deep golden brown and ultra crispy. Drain the fried chicken on a wire rack (not paper towels) to maintain crispiness.
⏱️ 6 min•🌡️ 340
- 10
While the chicken is frying, prepare the garlic Parmesan sauce. In a small bowl, add the mayonnaise, chopped fresh parsley, and Italian seasoning.
⏱️ 2 min
- 11
In a small saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the finely minced or grated garlic and cook for 30–45 seconds without browning. Turn off the heat.
⏱️ 2 min
- 12
Pour the melted butter and garlic mixture over the mayonnaise and parsley in the bowl. Add the grated Parmesan cheese. Stir all ingredients until well combined to form the sauce.
⏱️ 2 min
- 13
Add the crispy chicken to a large mixing bowl. Brush or toss the prepared garlic Parmesan sauce over the chicken bites evenly until well coated.
⏱️ 2 min
- 14
Transfer to a serving dish, finish by sprinkling extra grated Parmesan cheese on top, and serve hot.
⏱️ 1 min
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Crispy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Bites
For the Chicken
- 1 lb chicken breast, cut into small bite-size pieces
For the Marinade
- 3/4 cup buttermilk
- 1/4 cup pickle juice
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
For the Crispy Coating
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
For Frying
- 4 cups oil, for deep frying, or as needed
For the Garlic Parmesan Sauce
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 4 cloves garlic, finely minced or grated
- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped, or as needed
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, or as needed
- 1 tablespoon mayonnaise
For Garnish
- 2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese, extra, grated, for serving
Instructions
- 1
Cut the chicken breast into small, bite-sized pieces. Place the chicken pieces into a large bowl.
⏱️ 5 min - 2
To the bowl with chicken, add the buttermilk, pickle juice, egg, 1 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon black pepper, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, and 1 teaspoon paprika. Mix all marinade ingredients with the chicken pieces using tongs until well coated.
⏱️ 5 min - 3
Cover the bowl and marinate in the refrigerator for a minimum of 1 hour, or ideally for 4–12 hours for best flavor.
⏱️ 60 min - 4
In a separate shallow dish or bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, cornstarch, 1 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon black pepper, 1 teaspoon paprika, and 1 teaspoon garlic powder. Mix everything until well combined.
⏱️ 3 min - 5
Take chicken pieces directly from the marinade and place them into the flour mixture. Press firmly on the chicken pieces in the flour mixture to create crinkles and texture. Ensure each piece is thoroughly coated.
⏱️ 5 min - 6
Place the coated chicken pieces on a plate or wire rack and let them rest for 5–10 minutes before frying. This helps the coating adhere better.
⏱️ 5 min - 7
Heat oil in a large pot or deep skillet to 340–350°F (170–175°C). Use a thermometer to monitor the temperature.
⏱️ 5 min•🌡️ 340 - 8
Fry the chicken in batches, being careful not to overcrowd the pan. Fry for 3–4 minutes until lightly golden. Remove the chicken from the oil and let it rest on a wire rack for 2–3 minutes.
⏱️ 8 min•🌡️ 340 - 9
Return the chicken to the hot oil and fry again for 2–3 minutes until deep golden brown and ultra crispy. Drain the fried chicken on a wire rack (not paper towels) to maintain crispiness.
⏱️ 6 min•🌡️ 340 - 10
While the chicken is frying, prepare the garlic Parmesan sauce. In a small bowl, add the mayonnaise, chopped fresh parsley, and Italian seasoning.
⏱️ 2 min - 11
In a small saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the finely minced or grated garlic and cook for 30–45 seconds without browning. Turn off the heat.
⏱️ 2 min - 12
Pour the melted butter and garlic mixture over the mayonnaise and parsley in the bowl. Add the grated Parmesan cheese. Stir all ingredients until well combined to form the sauce.
⏱️ 2 min - 13
Add the crispy chicken to a large mixing bowl. Brush or toss the prepared garlic Parmesan sauce over the chicken bites evenly until well coated.
⏱️ 2 min - 14
Transfer to a serving dish, finish by sprinkling extra grated Parmesan cheese on top, and serve hot.
⏱️ 1 min