CHICKEN BITES – OVEN METHOD

RECIPE PREP: Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking tray with parchment paper and an oven-safe wire rack. Spray rack with nonstick cooking spray. (If no wire rack, flip the chicken halfway through baking.)

1. Trim fat off the chicken breasts. Slice chicken into 1-inch pieces.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, corn starch, salt, pepper, garlic powder and paprika. In a separate bowl, whisk together buttermilk and eggs. Working with a few pieces at a time, roll chicken in flour mixture until well coated, then into the wet mixture, and back into the dry mix.
3. With tongs, transfer breaded chicken to the prepared tray with wire rack. Arrange them in an even layer, leaving 1 inch between the pieces. Spray the top of the chicken bites with cooking spray. 
4. Bake 15 to 20 minutes, or until the chicken is golden brown and the internal temperature registers 165°F on an instant-read thermometer. If needed, flip the chicken pieces over half way through the cooking time. While the bites are baking, prep the homemade buffalo sauce.

CHICKEN BITES – AIR FRYER

RECIPE PREP: Preheat the air fryer to 390°F for 5 to 6 minutes.

1. Trim fat off the chicken breasts. Cut chicken into 1-inch pieces.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, corn starch, salt, pepper, garlic powder and paprika. In a separate bowl, whisk together buttermilk and eggs. Working with a few pieces at a time, roll chicken in flour mixture until well coated, then into the wet mixture, and back into the dry mix.
3. Carefully line the hot air fryer basket with parchment paper. With tongs, transfer breaded chicken to the lined air fryer basket. Arrange pieces in a single layer. Don’t overcrowd the basket. (If needed, cook chicken in batches.) Lightly spray the top of the chicken with cooking spray.
4. Air fry the chicken for 8 minutes. Flip the pieces over. Spray them with cooking spray. Air fry 5 to 8 minutes more, or as needed, until chicken is crisp and internal temperature registers 165°F on an instant-read thermometer. While chicken is cooking, prep homemade buffalo sauce.

BUFFALO SAUCE

1. In a small saucepan, melt the butter. Immediately remove the pan from heat. Add in hot sauce and honey. Whisk to combine. Let the sauce cool to room temperature.
2. Add cooked chicken bites to a wide bowl. Pour buffalo sauce over the pieces. Gently toss until all pieces are well coated in sauce.
3. Transfer buffalo chicken bites to a serving dish. Garnish with sliced green onion. Serve with a side of ranch dressing. Enjoy immediately.

KITCHEN SMARTS: Do not heat the buffalo sauce before coating the chicken. Covering breaded chicken with a warm sauce will make the crispy breading limp and soggy.