Cheesy Chicken Rice Bites
These cheesy chicken rice bites are crispy on the outside, cheesy and flavorful on the inside, and loaded with just the right amount of heat.
Servings: 20 Chicken Bites
Calories: 214kcal
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
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.
Nutritional values are approximate.
Please note that these values can change with different brands and any modifications made to the recipe. For the most accurate information, use a nutritional calculator with the exact brands and measurements.
Nutrition
Calories: 214kcal | Carbohydrates: 12g | Protein: 11g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 47mg | Sodium: 239mg | Potassium: 70mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 438IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 87mg | Iron: 1mg