Crunchy Buffalo Chicken Bites

            Chicken wings are such a favorite food for so many people. I love wings. However, I do not like stringy meat, fighting the bone or the gristle. When I want a batch of Buffalo Chicken, that is what I want. I do not want to spend so much time trying to get the meat off. So, although my mom was the best wing maker that I know, I have changed her recipe. I am sure like me, people want to eat, not struggle. And, of course, they want a really great sauce on those wings.

            I have combined all of that into one recipe. I still used Mom’s recipe and just tweaked it to make them even better than they already are. These are a perfect balance of crispy and super tender. They are then tossed in the perfect tasting buffalo sauce. Are you ready for one of the best parts?

These buffalo wings are naturally gluten free! What bothers me the most about the options for buffalo wings available is that they have too much breading and too little meat. There is a wide variety of dipping sauces that you can have available.

Ranch and Bleu cheese are the most popular. Honey mustard, western dressing are some others to have available. What I like to do is have a huge variety, and taste each one. We may find another sauce that we like better.

Frequently Asked Questions:

            How do I store these?

Store these in an airtight container in your refrigerator for up to 5 days.

            Can these be frozen?

You can place these in the freezer for 3 months as long as you have them in an airtight container or wrapped really well in plastic wrap, aluminum foil and then placed in a freezer bag.

            Which sauce is the best for these?

I recommend Frank’s Red Hot, Texas Pete, or Crystal Hot Sauce. These have the perfect combination of vinegar, water, salt and garlic.

            Can I bake these instead of frying?

You can, they will be a little healthier. You will have an extra pan to wash, but it would taste just as good.

            How do I know when the chicken is cooked thoroughly?

You should bake for about 20 minutes. A meat thermometer stuck into the thickest portion should read 165*.

What do you need to make Crunchy Buffalo Chicken Bites

            2 pounds of boneless, skinless chicken breasts

            2 cups Panko bread crumbs

            ½ cup Italian seasoned bread crumbs

            Salt and pepper to taste

            1 tsp garlic powder

            1 ½ cups Buffalo Sauce for Wings

How to make Crunchy Buffalo Chicken Bites

FIRST STEP:

Preheat the oven to 400*

Wash the chicken breasts and cut into slices

SECOND STEP:

Combine Panko bread crumbs, Italian seasoned bread crumbs, salt and pepper and the garlic powder into one bowl

Pour the Buffalo sauce into another bowl

THIRD STEP:

Coat each piece of chicken in the Buffalo Sauce

Dip the coated piece of chicken into the bread crumbs and coat evenly

a)

b)

FOURTH STEP:

Place the chicken pieces on a baking sheet covered with parchment paper

Bake for about 20 minutes, until the juices run clear

FIFTH STEP:

Have bowls of dipping sauces on the side, such as Ranch, Buffalo Sauce, Bleu Cheese and whichever other sauces you like for your wings.

Enjoy!

YUM!