Go Back
Print Pin

Tropical Chicken BItes

You’ve been invited to another party. While socialization is wonderful, coming up with new ideas for a dish to bring can be difficult. Crockpot meatballs - nope. Pasta salad - nope. Baked beans - still nope.
You can surprise everyone with these Topical Chicken Bites. They’re a perfect finger food - crunchy with sweet heat. And, if you want them as a meal, just serve them with rice and a little pineapple salsa. Tip: You can substitute ground pork or turkey for the chicken

Ingredients

  • 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts cut into cubes
  • 1 jalapeños (sliced in rounds)
  • Buttermilk
  • ½ tsp ginger
  • ½ tsp garlic powder
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 tbsp water
  • 1 c cornstarch
  • 1/2 c flour
  • 1 tablespoon baking powder
  • pinch salt and pepper
  • Frying oil (canola, peanut, vegetable)

SAUCE

  • 2 tbsp clover honey
  • 1 tbsp light brown sugar
  • 2 tbsp soy sauce (or hoisin)
  • 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar or rice wine vinegar
  • 3 cloves garlic pressed
  • 1 cup fresh pineapple juice
  • 1 tsp sesame oil
  • ½ tsp orange zest
  • ¼ tsp chili oil (optional)
  • 1 tsp cornstarch
  • Water
  • 1 Fresh pineapple peeled and cored
  • Sesame seeds (green onion)

Instructions 

INSTRUCTIONS FOR CHICKEN

  • After you cube the chicken, transfer it to a food storage container. Cover it with the buttermilk, and add the jalapeno, ginger, and garlic. Place in the refrigerator for 1 hour.
  • In the meantime, set up your dredging station with two bowls
  • Place the eggs and water in one bowl and beat with a fork
  • In the second bowl, mix the cornstarch, baking powder, flour, and salt. Mix well.
  • Drain the buttermilk from the chicken
  • Pat the pieces lightly with a paper towel
  • Coat each piece of chicken in the egg, followed by the flour mix (make sure every surface has flour).
  • Heat the frying oil to 350F
  • Fry the chicken in small batches so there’s plenty of room on all sides to reach the oil
  • Cook for 5 minutes per side until golden brown (you will need to flip the pieces midway for an even color).
  • Let them drain on paper towels to decrease the oil
  • Toss with sauce before serving

INSTRUCTIONS SAUCE

  • Place the honey, sugar, soy, vinegar, garlic, pineapple juice, sesame oil, orange zest, and chili oil into a medium sauce pot.
  • Warm it over a medium-low flame for 10 minutes
  • Mix the cornstarch with water for a slurry
  • Bring the sauce up to boiling and slowly whisk the cornstarch in for thickening
  • Reduce the heat to low
  • Place the chicken in a large bowl and toss it with the sauce. Add sesame seeds and green onion.
  • Cut up the pineapple (as much as you like) and mix it in.
  • Serve as is with toothpicks. Or, if you want to make this into a meal, offer rice or noodles.