Longhorn Spicy Chicken Bites

In every home cook’s adventure, there comes a time when the urge to whip up something bold, spicy, and downright delicious is too strong to ignore. For me, that moment arrived on a crisp autumn evening when the craving for something fiery collided with my love for bite-sized treats. Thus began my quest to create the ultimate Longhorn Spicy Chicken Bites recipe, a journey filled with trial and error, laughter, and a few tears from the spice, both figuratively and literally.

How to make Longhorn Spicy Chicken Bites

Longhorn Spicy Chicken Bites is a menu item offered by the LongHorn Steakhouse restaurant chain. These are typically bite-sized pieces of chicken that are seasoned with spices to give them a spicy flavor. They might be served with a dipping sauce or as part of a larger dish.

Ingredients:

Chicken Preparation:

• 1 lb (about 450g) boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

Flour Mixture:

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 1 1/2 teaspoons chili powder
• 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)
• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

Wet Mix:

• 2 large eggs
• 2 tablespoons hot sauce of choice
• 1 tablespoon water

Spicy Glaze:

• 1/2 cup honey
• 1/4 cup hot sauce (the same used in the wet mix)
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 2 teaspoons garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon ginger, grated
• 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
• Juice of 1 lime

For Frying:

• Vegetable oil, for deep frying

Instructions:

1. Preparation: In a medium bowl, season the chicken pieces with garlic powder, smoked paprika, and salt. Toss until well-coated. Set aside to marinate for at least 15 minutes.
2. Create the Flour Mixture: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, cornstarch, chili powder, cayenne pepper, black pepper, and salt.
3. Prepare the Wet Mix: In another bowl, beat the eggs with the hot sauce and water until thoroughly combined.
4. Dredging: Dip each chicken piece into the flour mixture, then into the wet mix, and back into the flour mixture. Ensure each piece is well-coated. Shake off any excess flour.
5. Frying: Heat the vegetable oil in a deep fryer or large pot to 350°F (175°C). Fry the chicken bites in batches, being careful not to overcrowd the pot. Fry for about 4-5 minutes or until golden brown and cooked through. Remove and drain on a wire rack or paper towel.
6. Prepare the Spicy Glaze: While the chicken is frying, combine the honey, hot sauce, soy sauce, minced garlic, grated ginger, smoked paprika, and lime juice in a small saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a simmer and let it reduce slightly, stirring occasionally, for about 5 minutes.
7. Toss and Serve: Toss the fried chicken bites in the spicy glaze, ensuring each piece is well coated. Serve immediately, garnished with fresh sliced green onions or sesame seeds, if desired.

Tips for Success

• Spice to Your Liking: Adjust the amount of cayenne pepper in both the flour mixture and the glaze according to your spice tolerance. Remember, it’s easier to add more than it is to take it away.
• Frying in Batches: Do not overcrowd the fryer or pot. Frying in batches ensures that the chicken bites cook evenly and become perfectly crispy.
• Serving Suggestion: These chicken bites go extraordinarily well with a side of ranch or blue cheese dressing, which also helps to cool down the heat for those who find it a bit fiery.
• Staying Crispy: To keep the chicken bites crispy, avoid tossing them in the glaze too far in advance before serving. The glaze should be warm and the chicken bites freshly fried for the best texture.

What to serve with

When you’ve got a plate of sizzling Longhorn Spicy Chicken Bites ready to go, the perfect side dishes can turn your spicy snack into a full-blown feast. Picking the right accompaniments not only complements the flavors but also helps to balance the heat, texture, and nutrition of your meal.

Cooling Dips:

Creamy, cooling dips perfectly offset the fieriness of the chicken bites. They provide a delicious and soothing contrast to the heat:

• Ranch Dressing: The herbaceous and tangy flavors of the ranch are a classic pairing with spicy chicken.
• Blue Cheese Dip: For a more assertive flavor that stands up to the spices, a chunky blue cheese dip is a winner.
• Yogurt or Sour Cream-Based Dips: A simple herbed yogurt or cucumber tzatziki can offer a refreshing cool-down.

Fresh Salads:

A salad offers a fresh, crispy counterpart to the spice and crunch of the chicken:

• Coleslaw: A creamy coleslaw adds a nice crunch and a tangy taste that complements the bites wonderfully.
• Garden Salad: Lightly dressed with a vinaigrette, a crisp salad can cleanse the palate and offer a healthy balance.

Comforting Carbs:

Adding a carb component can help absorb some of the spice, providing a more rounded meal:

• Sweet Cornbread: The sweetness of cornbread pairs beautifully with the spiciness of the chicken.
• Macaroni and Cheese: Creamy and comforting, mac and cheese is an indulgent side that matches well with the chicken’s heat.
• Loaded Baked Potatoes: A baked potato with all the fixings can be a hearty side that stands up to the bold flavors.
• French Fries or Onion Rings: For a diner-style feel, crispy fries or onion rings are surefire hits.

Veggie Sides:

Vegetables can offer a nutritious complement to the meal:

• Grilled Vegetables: A mix of bell peppers, zucchini, and mushrooms can add a smoky and healthy element.
• Steamed Broccoli or Green Beans: Lightly seasoned, they provide a crunchy and fibrous contrast to the bites.
• Roasted Sweet Potatoes: Their natural sweetness is a great foil to the spicy chicken.

Starchy Delights:

Starches help to neutralize some of the spice and round off the meal:

• Rice Pilaf or Coconut Rice: A mildly flavored rice dish can be a soothing base that lets the chicken shine.
• Garlic Bread: For something moreish and savory, garlic bread can mop up any leftover sauce deliciously.

Sweet Endings:

A hint of sweetness after a spicy dish can complete a meal perfectly:

• Fruit Salad: A mix of melons, pineapple, and berries can be a refreshing end.
• Frozen Desserts: Ice cream or sorbet can cool the palate effectively and offer a sweet finish.

Beverage Pairings:

To wash down the spices, choose beverages that complement the heat:

• Lassi or Milk-based Drinks: Dairy can help extinguish the fire in your mouth more effectively than water.
• Iced Tea or Lemonade: A tall glass of sweet iced tea or lemonade provides sweet relief.
• Craft Beer: A light lager or a wheat beer with citrus notes can cut through the spice nicely.

Ingredients substitutes

In cooking, it’s quite common to need to substitute some ingredients due to dietary restrictions, availability or personal preference. Here are some alternative ingredients you can use when making spicy chicken bites:

• Chicken: If you’re vegetarian, you can substitute chicken with tofu, tempeh, or seitan. Cauliflower can also be used as an alternative, and you can coat it with the same spicy mixture.
• Flour (for coating): If you’re preparing a gluten-free version, you can use almond flour, coconut flour, or gluten-free all-purpose flour. Cornstarch works too, as it gives a crispy texture.
• Eggs (for coating): If you’re vegan or allergic to eggs, use a mixture of flaxseed and water to create a flax “egg.” Another option is to use unsweetened plant-based milk.
• Hot Sauce: There’s a wide range of hot sauces available, from the mild Tabasco and Sriracha to the much hotter Habanero or Ghost Pepper sauce. If you’re not a fan of heat, you can replace the hot sauce with a mild, sweet chili sauce or a barbecue sauce for a completely different flavor.
• Spices: The spices usually used for the spicy coat can include cayenne pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt. If you don’t like spicy food much but still want some flavor, you can omit cayenne pepper or replace it with paprika.
• Oil (for frying): If you’re looking for a healthier version, instead of deep frying, you could air-fry or bake the bites. An oven-fried version, for instance, would use a coat of olive oil spray instead.

Final Thoughts

The Longhorn Spicy Chicken Bites recipe is an irresistible treat that brings a burst of flavor and a kick of heat to any table. With its perfectly balanced spices, succulent chicken, and irresistibly crunchy coating, it’s no wonder this dish is beloved by many. 

More Chicken Recipes:

• BJ’s Parmesan Crusted Chicken
• Best Chicken Tocino Recipe
• Dave’s Hot Chicken Ingredients
• PF Chang’s Sweet and Sour Chicken
• Chick-fil-A Chicken Noodle Soup Recipe