Salt and Pepper Crispy Chicken Bites offer a mouthwatering crunch with a punch of savory, spicy seasoning. The chicken pieces are coated in a light batter, fried to golden perfection, and tossed with aromatic salt, cracked black pepper, and chili flakes. These bites make for an addictive appetizer or snack that’s perfect for sharing or adding to a main meal. The balance between crisp texture and bold seasoning keeps every bite exciting and satisfying.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This recipe delivers restaurant-style crispy chicken bites without complicated steps. The seasoning blend is simple but packs bold flavors that enhance the chicken’s natural juiciness. It’s quick to prepare and fries up beautifully with a crunchy exterior. You can customize the heat level with chili flakes or fresh peppers, and the bites hold up well as leftovers. Whether for game day or a casual dinner, these chicken bites never disappoint.
Ingredients
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast or thighs, cut into bite-sized chunks
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon five-spice powder (optional)
- 1 cup cornstarch
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- Vegetable oil for frying
- 2 teaspoons coarse sea salt
- 1 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
- 1 teaspoon chili flakes (adjust to taste)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 green onions, chopped (for garnish)
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Season the chicken
In a bowl, combine chicken chunks with garlic powder, onion powder, salt, black pepper, and five-spice powder if using. Toss to coat evenly.
2. Bread the chicken
Dip seasoned chicken pieces into beaten eggs, then dredge thoroughly in cornstarch. Shake off excess.
3. Fry until crispy
Heat vegetable oil in a deep skillet over medium-high heat. Fry chicken in batches until golden brown and crispy, about 4 to 6 minutes. Drain on paper towels.
4. Prepare the seasoning
In a dry pan over medium heat, toast garlic until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Remove from heat and mix in sea salt, cracked black pepper, and chili flakes.
5. Toss chicken in seasoning
Transfer fried chicken to a large bowl. Sprinkle the garlic-salt-pepper mixture over the top and toss to coat evenly. Garnish with chopped green onions before serving.
Salt and Pepper Crispy Chicken Bites
Ingredients
- 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breast or thighs, cut into bite-sized chunks
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp five-spice powder optional
- 1 cup cornstarch
- 2 large eggs beaten
- Vegetable oil for frying
- 2 tsp coarse sea salt
- 1 tsp black pepper freshly cracked
- 1 tsp chili flakes adjust to taste
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 2 green onions chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Toss chicken with spices.
- Dip in eggs, coat in cornstarch.
- Cook until golden, 4–6 minutes.
- Toast garlic, mix with salt, pepper, chili flakes.
- Coat chicken in seasoning and top with green onions.
Tips & Variations
- Use chicken thighs for juicier bites with richer flavor.
- Adjust chili flakes to control the heat level.
- Add a squeeze of fresh lime for a citrusy twist.
- For a lighter version, bake at 425°F for 20 minutes, flipping halfway.
- Serve with a side of sweet chili sauce or mayo for dipping.
Serving Suggestions
These crispy bites are fantastic on their own as finger food or served alongside steamed rice and stir-fried veggies. They also work well in lettuce wraps with fresh herbs or as part of a spicy chicken salad.
Final Thoughts
Salt and Pepper Crispy Chicken Bites bring irresistible crunch and bold, fragrant seasoning to your table. This easy recipe turns simple ingredients into an addictive dish that’s perfect for casual meals or entertaining guests.
