Fried Chicken Bites with Comeback Sauce

These fried chicken bites with comeback sauce are delicious bites of perfectly seasoned fried, crispy, tender and juicy, chicken served with a delicious dipping sauce that tastes amazing and is always a favorite sauce for chicken and many other dishes.

A white round plate and white square plate filled with crunchy bites of chicken.

If you’re a fan of fried chicken as much as I am, then you love it in all forms. From big, deep-fried chicken breasts deep-fried to perfection to chicken strips, wings, and everything in between, if any part of a chicken can be fried, then it should be in my opinion. That’s why I love making these delicious chicken bites. They’re little bite-size chunks of fried chicken Heaven, and they always hit the spot with everyone who tries them. 

I used to make classic fried chicken all the time, but that can be such a commitment. However, with these little bites, I can fry up a big batch of them quickly and easily. They also make fun appetizers, lunches, dinners, or additions to potlucks and parties. They’re absolutely delicious, so much fun, and so easy to make. What could be better?

Fried Chicken Bites

These little crispy chicken bites take everything we love about fried chicken – specifically homemade chicken nuggets – and transfer it all into little bite-size pieces of deliciousness. These bite-size chicken pieces are coated with a delicious batter made with three distinct layers of flour, an egg and buttermilk layer, and a finishing outer layer of panko. It all comes together to create extra-crispy fried chicken bites that are juicy and tender on the inside and extra crunchy on the outside. What makes them even better is the delicious Comeback Sauce I serve them with. It’s creamy, hot, and tangy – the perfect complement to the bites!

Two white round plates and one white oblong plate filled with crispy chicken bites.

Why You’ll Love These Chicken Bites

  • Each and every bite is crispy, crunchy, and absolutely delicious.
  • They’re easy to make and always a favorite.
  • The Comeback Sauce is the perfect dipping sauce to make them even more delicious.

Fried Chicken Bites Tips and Variations

This is a fairly easy recipe to make, but as it is battered and fried, I do have some tips to help you make the best possible bites as easily and as safely as possible. I also have some great variations to help you mix things up.

Tips

  • Dry the chicken with paper towels before battering them so the ingredients stick better.
  • Gently tap your chicken pieces after each coating to remove any excess batter ingredients.
  • Don’t crowd your pan when frying. Crowding the pan reduces the oil heat, which causes the batter to cook more slowly and absorb more oil.
  • To avoid oil spatter, never put wet food in your hot oil.
  • Use an oil with a high smoke point.

Variations

  • Make this recipe using chicken tenders instead of bites for homemade chicken fingers.
  • If you don’t like spicy food, omit the hot sauce and Slap Ya Mama seasoning.
  • Add your favorite spices for different flavor combinations.
  • Change things up by using any of your favorite dipping sauces.
A fried chicken bites of a fork that was dipped in comeback sauce.

Fried Chicken Bites FAQ

If you have questions about this recipe, then read on. The following FAQ answers the most commonly asked questions about fried chicken bites.

What’s the difference between chicken bites and chicken nuggets?

The size is really the only difference. Chicken nuggets are usually large enough that they require a couple of bites to eat. Chicken bites are smaller and usually bite-sized.

Who invented fried chicken?

There’s no way to know who invented it because it’s been around a lot longer than you might have realized. The first published fried chicken recipe can be traced back to 1747, however, the earliest accounts of fried chicken are thousands of years old.

Why is buttermilk used for fried chicken breading?

Buttermilk is slightly acidic, so it breaks down the chicken protein in much the same way a marinade would In addition, it infuses a tanginess that is perfect with both the chicken meat and the breading ingredients.

What is Comeback Sauce?

It’s a dipping sauce for fried food that was created in Mississippi. It’s similar to Louisiana remoulade, and it’s said to have been first made at The Rotisseries, a Greek restaurant located in Jackson, Mississippi.

Can you freeze chicken bites?

You sure can. Freeze them in an air-tight, freezer-safe container or heavy-duty freezer bag for up to 3 months.

A close up of a fried chicken bite with a bite taken out of it.

What to Serve with Fried Chicken Bites

Chicken bites are essentially smaller chicken nuggets, so serve all the same delicious sides that you would with nuggets. Some great ideas include:

Fried Chicken Bites with Comeback Sauce Ingredients

Both the chicken bites and the Comeback Sauce use simple ingredients that you can find easily at your local grocery store.

For the Chicken Bites

  • Boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • Large eggs
  • Buttermilk
  • Hot sauce
  • All-purpose flour
  • Cornstarch
  • Garlic powder
  • Slap Ya Mama
  • Paprika
  • Onion powder
  • Black pepper
  • Red pepper flakes
  • Panko breadcrumbs
  • Garlic & herb breadcrumbs
  • Vegetable oil for frying

For the Comeback Sauce

  • Mayonnaise
  • Ketchup
  • Cholula hot sauce
  • Worcestershire sauce
  • Dijon mustard
  • Black pepper
  • Garlic powder
  • Onion powder
A close up of a stack of chicken bites on a white plate with a bite taken out of one of them.

How to Make Fried Chicken Bites and Comeback Sauce

Making this recipe is as easy as shopping for the ingredients. If you follow the recipe directions, you’ll have no problem with this simple recipe!

Step 1: Make a Dredging Station

In a shallow container, whisk the flour and cornstarch together. In a second container, whisk the eggs and buttermilk together. Finally, in a third container, stir the breadcrumbs and seasonings.

Step 2: Batter the Chicken

Coat the chicken pieces in flour, then in the buttermilk, and lastly, the breadcrumb mixture.

Step 3: Fry the Chicken

Heat the oil over medium-high heat in a large frying pan. Then, place 6 to 8 bites in the hot oil and deep fry until golden brown.

Step 4: Make the Comeback Sauce

Mix all the comeback sauce ingredients together in a small bowl.

Step 5: Serve

Serve the fried chicken bites with Comeback Sauce and your favorite sides.

A double collage photo of crunchy chicken bites on a white plate.

Try These Delicious Fried Chicken Bites Today

These fried chicken bites are absolutely delicious and easier to make than you think. Tender, juicy chicken is coated in an extra-crispy, deep-fried coating and just waiting to be devoured with Comeback Sauce and your favorite sides. If you love fried chicken, then you’re going to love these little bites. Give them a try, and I know you’ll find them making their way back into your recipe rotation again and again.

A three photo collage of crispy chicken bites.

More Chicken Recipes You’ll Enjoy

Sheet Pan Chicken and Potatoes – This is a simple chicken dinner recipe made with boneless, skinless, chicken breasts, baby Yukon potatoes and a delicious glaze, and baked. A quick and easy dinner meal everyone will enjoy.

Teriyaki Chicken Rice Bowl – This delicious chicken recipe is made with tender, juicy boneless chicken, a homemade teriyaki sauce, with broccoli and carrots, served over rice for a hearty and filling recipe that is so good, it’ll be requested over and over again.

Malibu Chicken – This delicious chicken recipe is a family favorite recipe for over 35 years. Tender, juicy chicken breasts fried to golden perfection, topped with Swiss cheese, ham and more cheese, and served with a simple yet absolutely delicious dipping sauce, that completes the dish. Scrumptious!

Also, try these Barbecue Chicken Nuggets from Deliciously Seasoned. These nuggets are fried to crispy perfection with a potato chip crust on the outside and tender chicken on the inside, coated in a savory barbecue sauce.

Chicken Bites with Comeback Sauce

Great Grub, Delicious Treats

Chicken Bites with Comeback Sauce are crispy, tender and juicy, chicken bites that are served with a delicious homemade sauce that has so much flavor. A delicious appetizer, snack or dinner recipe the whole family will enjoy.

Prep Time 30 mins

Cook Time 20 mins

Total Time 50 mins

Course Appetizer, Dinner

Cuisine American

Servings 8 Servings

Calories 496 kcal

Ingredients  

For the Chicken Bites

  • 3 chicken breasts, boneless, skinless cut into 1 inch pieces
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 cup buttermilk
  • ¼ cup hot sauce
  • 1 cup all purpose flour
  • ¼ cup cornstarch
  • 1 teaspoon Slap Ya Mama
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
  • 1 cup garlic & herb breadcrumbs
  • Vegetable oil for frying

For the Comeback Sauce

  • 1 cup mayonnaise
  • ¼ cup ketchup
  • 3 tablespoon Cholula hot sauce
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder

Instructions 

For the Chicken Bites

  • Set up a dredging station with 3 shallow containers.

  • In the first container, whisk flour and cornstarch together.

  • In the second container, whisk eggs and buttermilk together until combined.

  • And, in the third container, mix breadcrumbs and all the seasonings together.

  • Coat chicken pieces in flour, then into the buttermilk mixture and lastly, in the breadcrumb mixture.

  • Using a large frying pan, heat oil over medium high heat. Place 6-8 pieces at a time into the hot oil and deep fry until golden brown.

For the Comeback Sauce

  • In a small bowl, mix all comeback sauce ingredients together until combined.

  • Cover and place in the fridge until ready to serve.

Notes

Nutritional values are approximate.

 

Please note that these values can change with different brands and any modifications made to the recipe. For the most accurate information, use a nutritional calculator with the exact brands and measurements.

Nutrition

Calories: 496kcalCarbohydrates: 37gProtein: 26gFat: 27gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 14gMonounsaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 110mgSodium: 994mgPotassium: 516mgFiber: 2gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 526IUVitamin C: 11mgCalcium: 99mgIron: 3mg

Keyword Chicken Bites, Chicken Bites with Comeback Sauce, Comeback Sauce

Here are a few pics that are perfect to save to your favorite chicken or main dish board on Pinterest. Also, you can follow us on PinterestFacebook and Instagram. Remember to “like” or “follow” us on all social media.

Close up of a stack of crispy chicken bites with a bite taken out of one of them.
A stack of crunchy chicken bites on a white plate.

Enjoy, Terri

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