Crispy Chicken Bites

Serves: 4 Total Time: 1 day

"Wet" Ingredients:

1 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1 inch pieces

3/4 cup buttermilk

1 tsp louisiana hot sauce

2 tbsp sugar*

1 and 1/2 tbsp onion powder

1 and 1/2 tbsp garlic powder

2 tsp smoked paprika

1 tsp mustard powder

1 tsp salt

1/2 tsp celery salt

1/2 tsp ginger

1/2 tsp ground sage

"Dry" Ingredients:

2 cups all purpose flour

3/4 cup fine ground white cornmeal

1 tbsp sugar*

1 tsp baking powder

2 tsp onion powder

2 tsp garlic powder

2 tsp smoked paprika

1/2 tsp mustard powder

1 tsp salt

Additional Ingredients:

Vegetable Oil

Instructions:

1. In a large bowl, whisk together all of the "wet" ingredients. Add the chicken, ensuring it is all evenly covered. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let the chicken marinate in the fridge overnight.

2. The next day, remove the chicken from the fridge and set aside before heating two inches of vegetable oil in a medium pot to 350° over medium heat.

3. In another large bowl, combine all of the "dry" ingredients. Add the chicken pieces one by one to the flour, ensuring to coat each one completely in flour so that the chicken is dry to the touch.

4. Shake off excess flour from each piece before frying the chicken in small batches until golden brown, about 4 minutes. If your oil drops in temperature or rises above 350°, adjust the heat accordingly. You ideally want the temperature of the oil the stay between 325° and 350°.

5. When a batch of chicken finishes, remove from the oil and place on a cooling rack to drain. Sprinkle the chicken with salt to taste.

6. Serve with your favorite dipping sauce, and enjoy your crispy chicken bites!

Notes:

*The chicken bites are sweet, much like Chik-Fil-A style chicken. If you don't prefer that, halve the amount of sugar in both the wet and dry ingredients.