Biting into a delicious piece of Longhorn Spicy Chicken Bites is always an unforgettable experience.
These flavorful morsels are a crowd-pleaser, and when you know the right recipe, they can become a favorite dish to prepare and share with friends and family.
The secret to making them taste just like they do at the restaurant lies in the perfect blend of ingredients and attention to detail during preparation.
To achieve this mouthwatering result, you’ll begin by marinating the chicken in a mixture that includes buttermilk and hot sauce.
This combination adds incredible flavor and ensures tender bites that are juicy on the inside.
Next, you’ll coat the chicken pieces in a well-balanced, seasoned flour mix before frying them in oil at the ideal temperature to ensure crispy, golden perfection.
With this recipe, you’re about to discover the joy of serving up Longhorn Spicy Chicken Bites that taste just like the ones you love from your favorite restaurant.
As you embark on this culinary adventure, remember that a little patience and attention to detail will reward you and your guests with mouthwatering, memorable bites.
Table of Contents
How to Make Longhorn Spicy Chicken Bites
Ingredients List
Here are the ingredients you’ll need for Longhorn Spicy Chicken Bites:
- Boneless chicken breast (cut into bite-sized pieces)
- 1 cup buttermilk
- Salt
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ¼ teaspoon sugar
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- Oil for frying
Now, let’s start making the Longhorn Spicy Chicken Bites.
Step 1: Soak the chicken
Soak the chicken pieces in buttermilk and salt for several hours in the refrigerator.
The buttermilk will tenderize the meat while the salt seasons it from the inside out.
Step 2: Prepare the batter
In a shallow bowl, mix 1 cup of all-purpose flour with ½ teaspoon each of garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika.
Add the ¼ teaspoon sugar and cayenne pepper.
This blend of spices will give your chicken bites a bold and flavorful taste.
Step 3: Heat the oil
In a deep frying pan or pot, heat the oil over medium-high heat.
Use a thermometer to ensure the oil temperature reaches 350°F (175°C) for perfect frying.
Step 4: Coat the chicken
Remove the chicken from the buttermilk marinade, allowing the excess to drip off.
Coat each piece thoroughly with the seasoned flour mixture, making sure every nook and cranny is covered.
Step 5: Fry the chicken
Carefully add the chicken pieces to the hot oil, ensuring that they don’t overcrowd the pan.
Fry them in batches if necessary, maintaining the oil temperature at 350°F (175°C).
Cook the chicken bites until they are golden brown and crispy, which should take about 4-6 minutes.
Step 6: Drain and serve
Once the chicken bites are cooked, remove them from the oil with a slotted spoon.
Drain them on paper towels to remove excess oil before serving.
Enjoy your homemade Longhorn Spicy Chicken Bites!
Side Dishes for Longhorn Spicy Chicken Bites
Longhorn Spicy Chicken Bites are a flavorful, heat-packed appetizer that can be enjoyed with a variety of side dishes.
Here are some side dishes that complement the taste and texture of these delicious bites and help balance out the spiciness.
Blue Cheese Dressing
Blue cheese dressing is the perfect partner for your Longhorn Spicy Chicken Bites.
The rich, tangy flavor of blue cheese helps to cool down and counterbalance the spices in the chicken.
You can also pair it with carrot and celery sticks to add some crunch and extra cooling effect.
Ranch Dressing
Another popular dipping option is ranch dressing.
With its creamy texture and mild flavor, ranch dressing provides a soothing contrast to the spiciness of the chicken bites.
This classic dip goes well with most fried foods and certainly won’t disappoint with Longhorn Spicy Chicken Bites.
Coleslaw
Coleslaw is a great choice when it comes to finding a cool, refreshing side dish for Longhorn Spicy Chicken Bites.
The combination of crunchy cabbage and carrots, along with a creamy dressing, provides contrast in both texture and taste to the spicy chicken.
Ingredients Substitutes
Garlic and Onion
If you don’t have garlic and onion powder at hand, you can substitute them with fresh minced garlic and onion.
Use one clove of minced garlic for every 1/8 teaspoon of garlic powder, and use two tablespoons of minced onion for every 1 teaspoon of onion powder.
How to Store Longhorn Spicy Chicken Bites
When it comes to storing leftover Longhorn Spicy Chicken Bites, proper storage methods are essential to ensure that they remain fresh and safe to eat.
This section will provide you with some straightforward guidance on how to store your chicken bites, keeping them crispy and delicious.
Refrigerate
You should store your leftover Longhorn Spicy Chicken Bites in the refrigerator to maintain their freshness and prevent bacteria growth.
Firstly, allow the chicken bites to cool down completely.
Once cooled, place them in an airtight container or wrap them tightly in a plastic wrap.
Be diligent with sealing any openings to keep moistness from entering, as this could make the breading soggy.
After ensuring they are sealed appropriately, refrigerate your chicken bites for up to 4 days.
Freeze
Freezing is another option for storing Longhorn Spicy Chicken Bites if you’d like to extend their shelf life.
To freeze chicken bites, carefully wrap them individually in plastic wrap or aluminum foil.
Once wrapped, place them in an airtight container or freezer-safe plastic bag.
By keeping them tightly wrapped with no contact with air, you can prevent freezer burn and maintain their quality.
Label the container or bag with the date so you know when to consume them, which is ideally within three months for optimal taste.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Here are some common mistakes to avoid when preparing Longhorn Spicy Chicken Bites.
Overcrowding the Baking Sheet
When baking your Longhorn spicy chicken bites, avoid overcrowding the baking sheet.
Too many pieces of chicken placed closely together will steam instead of bake, resulting in a less crispy final product.
To ensure a perfectly baked chicken bite, distribute the pieces evenly across the baking sheet, leaving some space in between each piece.
Combining Wet and Dry Ingredients Too Early
Mixing the wet and dry ingredients in the same bowl immediately might lead to a less crispy coating on your chicken bites.
Instead, prepare your wet ingredients in one bowl and your dry ingredients – like the teaspoon black, teaspoon salt, teaspoon garlic powder, teaspoon paprika, and teaspoon onion powder – to your chicken recipe in a separate bowl.
Not Using a Heavy-Bottomed Pot
When frying Longhorn spicy chicken bites, be sure to use a heavy-bottomed pot.
By doing so, you’re ensuring a well-dispersed and consistent heat throughout the pot.
It not only offers a greater degree of control over the oil temperature but also prevents uneven cooking or burning of your chicken bites.
Longhorn Spicy Chicken Bites Recipe
- 1 shallow bowl
- 1 deep frying pan
- 1 thermometer
- Boneless chicken breast cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 cup buttermilk
- Salt
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ¼ teaspoon sugar
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- Oil for frying
- Soak the chicken pieces in buttermilk and salt for several hours in the refrigerator.The buttermilk will tenderize the meat while the salt seasons it from the inside out.
- In a shallow bowl, mix 1 cup of all-purpose flour with the ½ teaspoon each of garlic powder, onion powder and paprika.Add the ¼ teaspoon sugar and cayenne pepper.This blend of spices will give your chicken bites a bold and flavorful taste.
- In a deep frying pan or pot, heat the oil over medium-high heat.Use a thermometer to ensure the oil temperature reaches 350°F (175°C) for perfect frying.
- Remove the chicken from the buttermilk marinade, allowing the excess to drip off.Coat each piece thoroughly with the seasoned flour mixture, making sure every nook and cranny is covered.
- Carefully add the chicken pieces to the hot oil, ensuring that they don't overcrowd the pan.Fry them in batches if necessary, maintaining the oil temperature at 350°F (175°C).Cook the chicken bites until they are golden brown and crispy, which should take about 4-6 minutes.
- Once the chicken bites are cooked, remove them from the oil with a slotted spoon.Drain them on paper towels to remove excess oil before serving.Enjoy your homemade Longhorn Spicy Chicken Bites!