Spicy Ranch Bang Bang Chicken Bites
Get ready to elevate your appetizer game with these Spicy Ranch Bang Bang Chicken Bites! Inspired by the iconic Chinese dish, this mouthwatering recipe features chunks of tender, boneless chicken breasts coated in a crunchy, flavorful panko crust infused with zesty lemon and aromatic chives. A tantalizing blend of Hidden Valley® Original Ranch® Dressing and sriracha sauce creates the perfect dipping sauce that’s tangy, spicy, and heavenly. Perfect for game day or any gathering, these bite-sized delights promise to impress your guests and leave them craving more!
N/A
Servings
300
Calories
14
Ingredients
Ingredients
Hidden Valley® Original Ranch® Dressing
1 cup (none)
Sriracha sauce
1/4 cup, divided (hot chili sauce)
Fresh lemon juice
1 tablespoon (none)
Fresh chives
1/4 cup, finely chopped (plus additional for garnish)
Japanese-style bread crumbs (panko)
1 1/2 cups (none)
Hidden Valley® Original Ranch Seasoning Mix
1 (1 ounce) package (none)
Lemon zest
1 teaspoon (freshly grated)
Ground black pepper
to taste (none)
Boneless skinless chicken breasts
1 1/4 lbs (cut into small pieces (about 1-1/2 inches))
Salt
to taste (none)
Cornstarch
1/2 cup (none)
Eggs
2 (beaten)
Water
2 teaspoons (none)
Vegetable oil
1/2 cup (for frying)
Instructions
1
In a mixing bowl, combine Hidden Valley® Original Ranch® Dressing, 2 tablespoons of sriracha sauce, fresh lemon juice, and 2 tablespoons of finely chopped chives. Whisk until smooth and set aside.
2
In a food processor, blend panko bread crumbs, Hidden Valley® Original Ranch® Seasoning Mix, the remaining 2 tablespoons of chopped chives, lemon zest, and 1/4 teaspoon of ground black pepper until evenly mixed. Transfer the mixture to a shallow dish.
3
Pat the chicken pieces dry with paper towels and season lightly with salt and freshly ground black pepper. In a separate shallow dish, place the cornstarch. In a medium bowl, whisk together the eggs, remaining 2 tablespoons of sriracha sauce, and water until combined.
4
For each chicken piece, dredge it in cornstarch, shaking off any excess. Next, dip it into the egg mixture, letting the excess drip back into the bowl, and finally roll it in the panko mixture, ensuring it is well-coated.
5
Heat vegetable oil in a large non-stick skillet over medium heat until it reaches 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Working in batches, carefully add chicken pieces to the oil and cook until they are golden brown and crispy, approximately 5 minutes per side. Make sure the chicken is cooked through and no longer pink in the center, then drain on a plate lined with paper towels.
6
Arrange the cooked chicken on a serving platter, drizzle with 2-3 tablespoons of the prepared sauce, and garnish with additional chopped chives. Serve the remaining sauce on the side for dipping and drizzling.
Nutrition Information
15g
Fat
20g
Carbs
20g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Spicy Ranch Bang Bang Chicken Bites?
They are tender chunks of boneless chicken breast coated in a crunchy panko and ranch seasoning crust, then served with a spicy sriracha-ranch dipping sauce.
What ingredients are in the bang bang dipping sauce?
The sauce is made from Hidden Valley Original Ranch Dressing, sriracha sauce, fresh lemon juice, and finely chopped chives.
How do you prepare the panko coating?
Blend panko bread crumbs, Hidden Valley Original Ranch Seasoning Mix, chopped chives, lemon zest, and black pepper in a food processor until evenly mixed.
What size should the chicken pieces be cut?
The chicken breasts should be cut into small, bite-sized pieces of approximately 1.5 inches.
What is the first step in the dredging process?
The first step is to pat the chicken dry and dredge it in cornstarch, making sure to shake off any excess.
What is in the egg mixture for the breading?
The egg mixture consists of two beaten eggs, two tablespoons of sriracha sauce, and two teaspoons of water.
What is the ideal frying temperature for the oil?
The vegetable oil should be heated in a non-stick skillet until it reaches 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
How long should you cook the chicken bites?
The chicken pieces should be cooked for approximately 5 minutes per side until they are golden brown and crispy.
How do I know the chicken is fully cooked?
The chicken is done when the exterior is golden brown and the center is no longer pink.
How should I drain the chicken after frying?
Place the cooked chicken pieces on a plate lined with paper towels to drain any excess oil.
How is the dish garnished before serving?
Drizzle the chicken with 2-3 tablespoons of the prepared sauce and garnish with additional chopped chives.
What is the calorie count per serving?
Each serving contains approximately 300 calories.
How much protein is in a serving of these chicken bites?
There are 20 grams of protein per serving.
What is the fat content per serving?
There are 15 grams of fat per serving.
How many carbohydrates are in this recipe?
Each serving contains 20 grams of carbohydrates.
What kind of bread crumbs are used?
Japanese-style bread crumbs, also known as panko, are used for a lighter and crunchier texture.
How much chicken is required for this recipe?
You will need 1.25 lbs of boneless skinless chicken breasts.
Is there lemon in the recipe?
Yes, the recipe uses both fresh lemon juice in the sauce and lemon zest in the breading mixture.
What makes the chicken spicy?
The spiciness comes from sriracha sauce, which is used in both the dipping sauce and the egg wash.
Can I use a food processor for the breading?
Yes, a food processor is recommended to blend the panko, ranch seasoning, chives, and zest until evenly mixed.
What kind of oil should I use for frying?
Vegetable oil is recommended for frying these chicken bites.
How much ranch dressing is needed?
The recipe calls for 1 cup of Hidden Valley Original Ranch Dressing.
What is the role of cornstarch in this recipe?
Cornstarch is used as the base coating to help the egg mixture and panko stick better to the chicken.
How much sriracha is used in total?
The recipe uses 1/4 cup of sriracha sauce in total, divided between the sauce and the egg wash.
Is this recipe suitable for game day?
Yes, these bite-sized pieces are marketed as a perfect appetizer or finger food for game day gatherings.
How many eggs are used?
Two eggs are used to create the binding wash for the panko coating.
What seasoning mix is used?
One 1-ounce package of Hidden Valley Original Ranch Seasoning Mix is incorporated into the breading.
How do you serve the remaining sauce?
The remaining sauce should be served on the side for extra dipping and drizzling.
Is ground black pepper used?
Yes, ground black pepper is used to season both the chicken and the panko breading mixture.
Should the chicken be patted dry?
Yes, you should pat the chicken pieces dry with paper towels before seasoning and dredging.