Buffalo Popcorn Chicken Bites

Recipe courtesy Rachael Ray

Show: 30 Minute MealsEpisode: Raising the Bar

Rated: 4 stars out of 5Rate itRead users' reviews (213)

RECIPE
COMMENTS & REVIEWS(213)

Cook Time:
10 min
Level:
Easy
Yield:
4 servings

Times:

Prep: 10 min
Inactive Prep: --
Cook: 10 min
Total:: 20 min

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Vegetable oil, for frying

2 1/2 cups complete pancake mix, any brand, divided

1 1/4 cups water

8 teaspoons hot sauce, divided (recommended: Tabasco)

1 1/4 pounds chicken tenders or chicken breast cut into small bite-sized pieces

1 cup store bought, good quality refrigerated blue cheese dressing (recommended: Marie's brand)

2 scallions, finely chopped

1 teaspoon coarse black pepper, 1/3 palm full

Cut celery sticks, store bought

In a deep sided skillet heat 1 1/2 inches of vegetable oil over medium heat. If you wish to test the oil, add a 1-inch cube of bread to hot oil. If it turns deep golden brown in color in a count of 40, the oil is ready.

While the oil is heating make the batter. In a wide mixing bowl combine 2 cups of the pancake mix, 1 1/4 cups water and about 6 teaspoons hot sauce. (Use a regular teaspoon you would stir coffee with – that's what I did. I don't, technically, have a set of actual measuring spoons.) Place the remaining plain 1/2 cup pancake mix in another wide mixing bowl. Arrange the batter and the bowl of plain pancake mix near the cook top and the heating oil. Line a plate with a few sheets of paper towels and keep within reach.

Once the oil is heated and ready, toss the chicken pieces in 2 teaspoons of hot sauce then toss in the plain pancake mix, coat evenly and shake off excess. The plain dry pancake mix will help the batter stick to the chicken pieces. Add some of chicken to the batter, you are going to want to work in 3 to 4 batches coating and frying. Using a fork, toss the bites in the batter. Remove the first batch from the batter, shaking off the excess batter as you carefully add them to the hot oil. Fry for 2 minutes on the first side, or until the first side is a deep golden brown, flip and continue to fry for another 2 minutes or until deep golden brown all over. Remove from the oil and drain on the paper towel lined plate, season with salt. Repeat until all the popcorn chicken bites are fried. Serve immediately with refrigerated, good quality creamy blue cheese prepared dressing with chopped scallions and black pepper stirred into it for dipping. Garnish platter with celery sticks.

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Comments & Reviews

recipe Buffalo Popcorn Chicken Bites
Pam Port Royal, PA 11-15-2009
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A BIG HIT!!
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

Delicious!! I don't normally fry food but for a party or tailgating they were DELICIOUS!! And, easy to prepare.
recipe Buffalo Popcorn Chicken Bites
Kristi Madison, WI 11-12-2009
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Too Good Once I Got My Groove!!!
Rated: 4 stars out of 5

I read the coments first and decided to try and combine all the advice. At first my oil was too hot, then I realized my... batter was too thick. If you get everything just right, this recipe is sooooo great. My suggestion would be to go heavy on the hot sauce and to stick with Frank's Red Hot. I put a FEW tablespoons in the chicken before the dredging in the batter, and I also put a lot in my wet batter, enough so that it was pretty much pink. Also don't make the batter too thick, I think that might have also contributed to my burnt popcorn chicken. I burned the first few, but once I got on a roll, my boyfriend and my kids could not get enough. As a matter of fact, the only comlaint I got was that I didn't make enough!!!!!!!!! This recipe is one of those ones that needs to be tweeked to an individuals taste buds. Once you get it right, you'll keep popping these bad boys till your stuffed or they're all gone!!Read more
recipe Buffalo Popcorn Chicken Bites
Lisa Bluffton, SC 11-10-2009
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Average Recipe
Rated: 2 stars out of 5

I had no problems making this recipe, I used Bisquick for the batter. I didn't care for how they tasted, my husband liked... them more than me which is why I rated them a 2 instead of a 1.Read more
recipe Buffalo Popcorn Chicken Bites
Betsy Lake Wales, FL 10-29-2009
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Most Requested Dinner!
Rated: 4 stars out of 5

I've made this recipe tons of times. It seems every other week my husband requests this meal. He even helps me fry up the... bites. We love the taste. It isn't too hot for me and just hot enough for my husband. He keeps a little side bowl to dip it into more Franks' sauce. I always make some oven fries to go with the popcorn bites. Read more
recipe Buffalo Popcorn Chicken Bites
Dawn Copperas Cove, TX 10-18-2009
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Buffalo Popcorn Chicken Bites
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

These are so good. My whole family LOVES them. I like to adjust the heat a little bit, so it is milder for my little guy. ... My older son's friend says that if he comes over again, that he will pay me to make these for him again:)Read more
recipe Buffalo Popcorn Chicken Bites
Christy Redlands , CA 09-15-2009
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Yum-a-lishous!
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

Honestly I don't know why other people had trouble making these, THEY ARE THE BOMB! This was the first recipe I saw Rachel... Ray do on TV and I have loved her ever since! Make sure the batter is thick, and that it's "complete" (I use Aunt Jamima "complete" pancake mix.) Also, make sure the oil is hot enough or the batter will just absorb the oil and your chicken bites will be heavy. This is one of my hubbie's favorite dishes!Read more