Craveable Longhorn Spicy Chicken Bites Recipe

These crispy chicken bites coated in a spicy cream cheese mixture are inspired by the addicting appetizer at Longhorn Steakhouse. With juicy chicken, cooling ranch and a hot sauce kick, this recipe recreates that iconic menu item in your own kitchen.

Selecting the Best Chicken

Longhorn uses white-meat chicken tenders for their spicy bites. Look for fresh chicken tenders or boneless, skinless breasts sliced into 1-inch pieces.

Craveable Longhorn Spicy Chicken Bites Recipe

You could also use thigh meat if you prefer a richer flavor and texture. Just make sure the chicken pieces are of a consistent size for even cooking.

Mastering the Cream Cheese Coating

These spicy bites get their signature flavor from a mix of cream cheese, ranch dressing and hot sauce that coats each tender chicken piece.

Mastering the Cream Cheese Coating

Combining the cool ranch tang with hot sauce kick amps up the flavor. Adjust the hot sauce amount to your desired spiciness. Let the coated chicken chill to help the coating set.

Ideal Breading for Maximum Crunch

To achieve super crispy, crunchy baked chicken, a few tricks are key. First coat the chicken in flour seasoned with spices like garlic powder and paprika.

Ideal Breading for Maximum Crunch

Then dip those floured pieces into egg wash before rolling them in panko breadcrumbs. The extra flour layer helps the breading stick better.

Baking to Perfection

To ensure baked chicken bites get crispy, cook them at a high temperature - around 425°F. Rest the breaded pieces on a wire rack set over a baking sheet.

Baking to Perfection

This allows air to circulate all around for even crisping. Flip them over halfway during baking. Cook to an internal temperature of 165°F for perfectly juicy chicken.

Ranch Dipping Sauce

For the complete Longhorn experience, serve the spicy chicken bites with ranch sauce for dipping. Mix ranch seasoning into mayo and sour cream or Greek yogurt.

Ranch Dipping Sauce

You can also create other dipping sauces like blue cheese and honey mustard. Cooling ranch complements the heat of the bites beautifully.

Garnishing For Extra Flair

Make your restaurant copycat pop with some fun finishing touches. Garnish the baking sheet with sliced green onions before serving for vibrant color.

Garnishing For Extra Flair

Drizzle extra ranch dressing over the chicken along with diced tomatoes, shredded lettuce or cilantro. This takes the presentation over the top!

Tips for Success

Follow these tips for flawlessly crispy, juicy spicy chicken bites:

- Chill coated chicken before breading
- Flour chicken before egg and breadcrumb coating
- Use panko breadcrumbs for extra crunch
- Bake on a wire rack at high heat
- Cook to an internal temperature of 165°F
- Offer cool ranch dipping sauce

Serving Suggestions

Enjoy these chicken bites just like they serve them at Longhorn with ranch dressing and fresh veggies. You can also add them to salads, sandwiches, nachos or pasta for a protein punch.

Serving Suggestions

Pair the bites with crisp cool drinks like lemonade, iced tea or beer. They also make an awesome appetizer at parties - your guests will be begging for the recipe!

Storing and Reheating

Store leftover uncooked coated chicken pieces in the fridge up to 2 days before breading and baking. Reheat cooked bites in a 375°F oven for 8-10 minutes until heated through and crispy.

Storing and Reheating

You can also re-crisp them briefly under the broiler. Reheated bites are great for quick homemade chicken parm sandwiches and nachos too.

The Takeaway

These copycat Longhorn spicy chicken bites are crunchy, juicy and bursting with flavor. Taking the time to properly bread and bake the chicken is key for that signature texture. The cream cheese coating provides addictive ranch and hot sauce flavor. Served with cooling dipping sauce and colorful veggies, this crowd-pleasing appetizer is sure to be a hit!

The Takeaway

Conclusion

Longhorn Steakhouse's famous spicy chicken bites are easy to recreate at home with juicy chicken, a quick spicy cream cheese coating, and crispy breading. Baking at high heat yields tender chicken encased in an ultra crunchy exterior. The combination of cooling ranch and spicy hot sauce in the coating offers irresistible flavor. Made with simple supermarket ingredients, these chicken bites will be a guaranteed appetizer success!

FAQs

Q: What type of chicken is best to use?

A: Chicken tenders or boneless, skinless breast sliced into 1-inch pieces works well.

Q: Does the coated chicken need to chill?

A: Yes, chilling helps the coating adhere better before breading.

Q: What's the best way to bread chicken for crunch?

A: Flour, then egg wash, then panko breadcrumbs provides maximum crunch.

Q: What temperature should the chicken cook to internally?

A: Cook to 165°F for safe, juicy chicken.

Q: How long do leftover uncooked bites keep?

A: About 2 days refrigerated.