These crispy cheesy chicken rice bites are everything you want in an appetizer. They’re crispy on the outside, cheesy and flavorful on the inside, and loaded with just the right amount of heat. Made with seasoned rotisserie chicken, jalapeños, cheddar cheese, cream cheese, and rice, these bite-sized snacks are coated in a crunchy panko breading and fried until golden brown.
If you’re a fan of crowd-pleasing appetizers like chicken jalapeno cheese bites, fried mac and cheese bites, or Texas Roadhouse Rattlesnake Bites, you’re going to love these crispy little bites of goodness. They’re perfect for game day, holiday gatherings, potlucks, or anytime you’re craving a savory snack.
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Crispy, golden-brown exterior
- Creamy, cheesy center packed with flavor
- Made with rotisserie chicken
- Easy to make ahead and freeze
- Perfect appetizer for parties and game day
- Great with ranch, queso, honey mustard, or barbecue sauce
- Uses simple ingredients you probably already have on hand
Key Ingredients
You’ll find a full list of ingredients and their amounts in the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
- Rotisserie Chicken: Provide a hearty, savory base, making these bites filling and packed with protein.
- Sharp Cheddar Cheese: Adds bold cheesy flavor and helps create a rich, gooey center.
- Cream Cheese: Adds creaminess to the filling and helps bind everything together, keeping the chicken balls moist and flavorful.
- Panko Breadcrumbs: The key to that crispy, crunchy coating. They fry up lighter and crispier than regular breadcrumbs.
- Buttermilk: Helps the coating stick while adding a little tang and tenderness to the crust.
- Slap ya Mama Seasoning: Brings bold Cajun flavor and ties together both the filling and the crispy coating.
- Hot Sauce: Adds a subtle kick and extra flavor to the coating without making it overwhelmingly spicy.
Variations
- Bacon Chicken Rice Bites: Mix crumbled bacon into the filling for extra smoky flavor.
- Buffalo Chicken Rice Bites: Add buffalo sauce to the filling and serve with ranch dressing.
- Southwest Chicken Rice Bites: Add corn, black beans, and taco seasoning for a Tex-Mex version.
- Extra Cheesy: Mix in pepper jack cheese for even more cheesy goodness.
How to Make Cheesy Chicken Rice Bites
Step 1: Cook the veggies and seasonings in a large skillet until the veggies are tender.
Step 2: In a large bowl, add the veggies and shredded rotisserie chicken.
Step 3: Mix in the cheeses. Then, mix in the cooked rice until evenly combined.
Step 4: Roll the mixture into 1-inch balls. Then place them on a baking sheet and flash-freeze until solid.
Step 5: Dredge the bites in flour, then in a mix of buttermilk, hot sauce, and egg, and finally in seasoned Panko and place on a baking sheet.
Step 6: Fry in batches until golden and crispy on all sides. Serve with dipping sauce and enjoy!
Expert Tips
- Don’t skip the flash-freeze step. It helps keep the bites together during frying.
- Adding too many bites at once lowers the oil temperature and can make them greasy.
- Fresh cheese melts better and creates a creamier filling.
- Work quickly after freezing the bites. You want them as cold as possible before frying so they hold their shape.
Cheesy Chicken Rice Bites FAQs
Crispy chicken rice bites are bite-sized appetizers made with rotisserie chicken, jalapeños, cheddar cheese, and cream cheese, all mixed with rice. They’re rolled into balls, coated in seasoned panko breadcrumbs, and fried until golden brown and crispy.
Yes, you can! Store them in an airtight, freezer-safe container until ready to dredge and fry them.
Cooked white rice works best because of its soft texture and neutral flavor, but you can also use jasmine rice, long-grain rice, or leftover rice.
Fry in small batches and avoid overcrowding the pan. This helps maintain the oil temperature and creates a crispier coating.
Refrigerate the bites for up to 3 days in an airtight container.
For the crispiest texture, reheat them in an air fryer or oven at 350°F until heated through. Microwaving works but may soften the coating.
More Tasty Appetizers
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Cheesy Chicken Rice Bites
Ingredients
Chicken Filling
- 2 cups rotisserie chicken, diced into ½-inch pieces
- 1 jalapeno, stem and seeds removed, diced
- ½ cup onions, diced
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 teaspoon Slap Ya Mama seasoning
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 ½ cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 4 ounce cream cheese, room temperature
- 1 cup cooked white rice
Crispy Coating
- 1 cup all purpose flour
- 1 large egg
- ½ cup buttermilk
- 2 tablespoons hot sauce
- 1 ½ cups panko breadcrumbs, crushed
- 2 teaspoons Slap Ya Mama seasoning
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1-2 cups vegetable oil, for frying
Instructions
Chicken Filling
- In a large skillet, melt butter over medium heat and add diced jalapenos and onions. Cook until the onions and peppers are tender.
- Add diced rotisserie chicken to a large bowl along with the jalapenos and onions. Stir.
- Next, add the sharp cheddar cheese and cream cheese. Stir to combine. Stir in the rice.
- Roll the chicken mixture into 1-inch balls and place on a baking sheet.
- Flash freeze for an hour.
Crispy Coating
- While the chicken balls are in the freezer, set up a dredging station with 3 shallow containers.
- In the first container, add flour.
- The second container, add buttermilk, egg, and hot sauce. Whisk together.
- In the third container add breadcrumbs and all the seasonings for the coating.
- In a large saucepan, heat oil over medium high heat.
- Add each ball into the flour, then into the egg mixture, and then into the breadcrumb mixture.
- Place about 6-8 balls into the hot oil and deep fry until golden on all sides.
- Remove with a slotted spoon and place on a plate lined with paper towels.
- Make sure to work in batches so the oil remains at the optimal temperature.
- Serve with marinara sauce or your favorite dipping sauce.
Notes
- Don’t skip the flash-freeze step. It helps keep the bites together during frying.
- Adding too many bites at once lowers the oil temperature and can make them greasy.
- Fresh cheese melts better and creates a creamier filling.
- Work quickly after freezing the bites. You want them as cold as possible before frying so they hold their shape.
Nutrition
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