Lemon Pepper Fried Chicken Bites combines the crispy fried chicken with the zesty tang of lemon and the aromatic kick of pepper. Here are the secrets of creating the perfect lemon pepper fried chicken, from marinating the chicken in a blend of lemon juice and spices to achieving the ideal golden crispy crust.
Lemon Pepper Fried Chicken
It was one of those evenings when something simple and delicious felt right. Lemon pepper chicken was the answer. The combination of fresh lemon and pepper always brought out the best in this dish.
I started by marinating the chicken in a blend of spices, a good squeeze of lemon juice, and a generous sprinkle of pepper. As the chicken soaked in those flavors, the lemon's citrusy tang started working its magic, cutting through the bold pepper, and bringing a nice balance to the dish.
I coated the bite-size marinated chicken pieces in batter and deep fried until golden brown. The smell filled the kitchen, and it was clear it was going to be a good meal. On the outside, the chicken had a perfect crust, while inside, it remained juicy and tender.
Served with a side of roasted vegetables or maybe some rice, the lemon pepper chicken fits into any meal. Light, flavorful, and satisfying, it is a dish that always worked, no matter the occasion.
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⭐Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Flavorful and Tangy: The combination of zesty lemon and aromatic pepper creates a delightful balance of bright, tangy flavors.
- Light and Refreshing: The citrusy tang of the lemon in the dish gives it a light and refreshing quality, making it an ideal choice, especially during the warmer months or when you're craving something fresh and vibrant.
- Simple and Easy to Make. Lemon pepper fried chicken bites recipes are often simple and quick to prepare, making them a convenient option for a delicious and satisfying meal, especially on busy days.
🧾Ingredients Needed & Substitutions
Ingredients for this Lemon Pepper Fried Chicken Bites recipe are simple. Here is a list of everything you need:
For a Crispy Chicken:
- Skinless and boneless chicken breast
- Onion powder
- Garlic powder
- Paprika
- Italian seasoning
- Salt
- Ground black pepper
- Eggs
- Mustard paste
- Red hot sauce
- Lemon juice
- Flour
- Cornstarch
For the Pepper Sauce:
- Butter
- Salt
- Ground pepper
See the recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements.
👩🏻🍳How to Make Lemon Pepper Fried Chicken Bites
This step by step instructions and photos will help you to visualize how to make this recipe. See the recipe card for a printable version of this recipe.
1: Add the spice mixture to the chicken breast pieces, and mix well to combine.
2: Add two eggs, mustard paste, red hot sauce, and lemon juice, mix well and let it marinate for 30 minutes.
3: Dip the marinated chicken pieces into the mixture of flour and cornstarch.
4: Fry the chicken pieces at 175°C ( 350°F) until browned and very crispy.
5: Put the crispy chicken in a bowl.
6: In a small bowl, melt butter, and then add salt and ground pepper, mix well to combine.
7: Pour over crispy fried chicken, coat them, and serve immediately. Garnish with chive.
💭Tips for Recipe Success
Marinating Time: For more intense flavor, marinate the chicken in the lemon pepper seasoning for at least 30 minutes, or ideally, for a few hours or overnight in the refrigerator.
Use Fresh Lemon Juice: Fresh lemon juice provide the best flavor for the dish.
Adjust Lemon Pepper Ratio: Adjust the ratio of lemon to pepper based on your personal taste preferences.
Uniform size: For even cooking, ensure that the chicken pieces are cut to a uniform size.
Fresh Garnish: Before serving, garnish the chicken with fresh herbs, such as parsley or chives for an extra burst of flavor and freshness.
Pairing Suggestions: Lemon pepper chicken pairs well with a variety of side dishes, such as steamed vegetables, roasted potatoes, rice, or a fresh salad.
❓Commonly Asked Questions
Yes, you can use skin-on chicken for added flavor and moisture.
Yes, lemon pepper fried chicken bites can be prepared in the air fryer. Coat the chicken with the batter and cook it in the air fryer at the recommended temperature and time for cooking instead of deep frying.
Lemon pepper fried chicken bites pairs well with a variety of side dishes, such as roasted vegetables, quinoa, couscous, or a fresh green salad.
🍲Spanish Tapas
- Pintxos
- Tuna Croquettes
- Chicken Croquettes
- Papas Arrugadas
- Potato Croquettes
- Chicken Skewers (Pinchitos de Pollo)
🥗More Appetizer Recipes
Here are more of my favorite appetizer recipes! Try these:
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📖 Recipe
Crispy Lemon Pepper Fried Chicken Bites
Ingredients
Crispy Chicken
- 3 skinless and boneless chicken breast
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon paprika
- 1 tablespoon italian seasoning
- 1 ½ tablespoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 2 eggs
- 2 tablespoon mustard paste
- 3 tablespoon red hot sauce
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 100 g flour
- 50 g cornstarch
Pepper Sauce
- 2 tablespoon butter
- ¼ tsp salt
- ½ tsp ground pepper
Instructions
- Cut the chicken into 2-3 cm pieces and put in a bowl.
- In a small bowl, combine onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, Italian seasoning, salt, and ground black pepper, mix well to combine.
- Add the spices mixture to the chicken, mix well to combine.
- Add two eggs, mustard paste, red hot sauce, and lemon juice to the chicken, mix well to combine
- Allow to marinate for 30 minutes.
- In a bowl, add flour and cornstarch, mix well to combine.
- Dip the marinated chicken pieces into the flour mixture.
- Fry the chicken pieces at 175°C ( 350°F) until browned and very crispy.
- Put the crispy chicken in a bowl.
- In a small bowl, melt butter, and then add salt and ground pepper, mix well to combine.
- Pour over crispy fried chicken, coat them, and serve immediately. Garnish with chive.
Nutrition
Nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered an estimate only. Actual nutritional content will vary based upon brands used, measuring methods, cooking method, portion sizes, and more.
John says
These are seriously addictive! The perfect balance of zesty lemon and peppery heat. I could eat the whole batch.