Crack Chicken Bites – OMG! SO good! Bite-size chicken balls loaded with cheddar, bacon, and ranch, rolled in cornflakes, and baked until golden brown. This is my go-to party appetizer. I never have any leftovers! Can make ahead of time and freeze for later! Cooked chicken, cream cheese, ranch dressing, cheddar cheese, bacon, flour, eggs, and cornflakes. Great for parties and an easy lunch or dinner.
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Pin This RecipeCrispy Chicken Bites
These Crack Chicken Bites are one of our favorite football party foods. Bite-size chicken balls loaded with cheddar, bacon, and ranch, rolled in cornflakes and baked. YUM! I took these to a party last weekend and they flew off the plate! Everyone raved about them. One bite and you will know why! Give these a try for your next party. They are sure to score a touchdown!
What does CRACK mean?
If a recipe has “crack” in the title it means that the recipe has cheddar, bacon, and ranch in the ingredients. It all started with my Crack Dip way back in 2007. I made the dip for a Titans football game. Everyone went crazy over it. We couldn’t stop eating it and said it was like crack. The name stuck.
According to the dictionary, the definition of crack is “of superior excellence or ability”. We think the flavor combination of cheddar, bacon, and ranch fits this definition! This recipe is most definitely of superior excellence!
How to Make Crack Chicken Bites
These chicken nuggets are very easy to make with only a few simple ingredients. In a bowl, combine finely chopped cooked chicken, cooked chopped bacon, cream cheese, cheddar cheese, and ranch dressing. Season with salt and black pepper, if desired. Using a small cookie scoop, form the chicken mixture into balls.
Place some flour in a shallow pan or small bowl. Whisk egg and place in another shallow pan or plate. Place crushed cornflakes in a third shallow pan or plate. Coat chicken pieces in flour. Shake off excess. Dip in egg. Coat in cornflakes. Place on baking sheet. Repeat with remaining chicken balls. Lightly spray chicken with cooking spray and bake. Garnish the baked bites with fresh parsley.
Helpful Tips & Frequently Asked Questions
- I use rotisserie chicken for the cooked chicken.
- You can use any cooked chicken that you would like. Skinless chicken breasts, chicken tenders, or chicken thighs.
- Here is our recipe for Homemade Ranch Dressing made with mayonnaise, buttermilk, ranch dressing mix, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, paprika, and black pepper: https://www.plainchicken.com/copycat-outback-ranch-dressing/
- For a lower-calorie dish, use turkey bacon, Light Ranch Dressing, and Low-fat or fat-free cream cheese.
- Can I bake chicken bites in the air fryer? Yes! To convert a traditional oven-cooked recipe to the air-fryer reduce the suggested temperature by 25°F and then cut the cooking time by 20%. Just use the pause button on your machine to occasionally check the doneness.
- Can Crack Chicken Bites be made in advance? Yes! You can assemble the bites and refrigerate them until ready to bake.
- Can Crack Chicken Bites be frozen? Yes! Place the dipped and uncooked chicken balls onto the parchment-lined baking sheet and freeze for 15 to 20 minutes. Transfer to a freezer bag and store in the freezer until ready.
- To bake, place the frozen chicken balls back on a baking sheet and bake at 350˚F for 25 to 30 minutes, until crispy and golden brown.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Easy Chicken Recipe for a Crowd
These chicken bites are one of my favorite party foods. This recipe makes about three dozen appetizers. You can easily double or triple the recipe for a crowd. This is a great recipe for football parties, holiday parties, or a quick lunch and dinner. They are great dipped into our favorite Jalapeno Ranch Dip! Whip up some french fries and veggie sticks and you are set!
Looking for more party food recipes? Here are a few of our favorite recipes from the blog that go great with these chicken bites:
Cheddar Bay Sausage Balls (Only 4 Ingredients)
Cheddar Bay Sausage Balls – combines two of my favorite foods- Cheddar Bay Biscuits and my Cream Cheese Sausage Balls!…
Easy Pigs in a Blanket (3-Ingredients)
Pigs in a Blanket – I can’t eat just one! Only 3 ingredients and ready to eat in 15 minutes!…
Chuy’s Jalapeno Dip
Chuy’s Jalapeno Dip – easy copycat recipe of Chuy’s famous dip. Tastes just like the real thing!! SO good! I…
Cowboy Queso (Loaded Cheese Dip)
Cowboy Queso Recipe – queso cheese dip loaded with meat, beans, Rotel tomatoes, and corn. Can make in the microwave,…
Crack Chicken Bites
Ingredients:
- 3 cups shredded cooked chicken
- ½ cup cooked chopped bacon
- ½ cup bottled ranch dressing
- 4- oz cream cheese, softened
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 4 large eggs, lightly beaten
- 3 cups cornflakes cereal, crushed
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350˚F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, mix the chicken, bacon, cream cheese, and ranch dressing until combined. Stir in the cheddar cheese.
- Using a small cookie scoop, spoon out the chicken mixture and roll it into about 1½-inch balls. Place on a plate or separate baking sheet until ready to dip.
- In three separate bowls, set out the flour, eggs, and crushed cornflakes. Dip each chicken ball first into the flour, then the egg, and ending with the corn flakes. Place on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake for 20 to 25 minutes.
Notes:
- I use rotisserie chicken for the cooked chicken.
- You can use any cooked chicken that you would like. Skinless chicken breasts, chicken tenders, or chicken thighs.
- Here is our recipe for Homemade Ranch Dressing made with mayonnaise, buttermilk, ranch dressing mix, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, paprika, and black pepper: https://www.plainchicken.com/copycat-outback-ranch-dressing/
- For a lower-calorie dish, use turkey bacon, Light Ranch Dressing, and Low-fat or fat-free cream cheese.
- Can I bake chicken bites in the air fryer? Yes! To convert a traditional oven-cooked recipe to the air-fryer reduce the suggested temperature by 25°F and then cut the cooking time by 20%. Just use the pause button on your machine to occasionally check the doneness.
- Can Crack Chicken Bites be made in advance? Yes! You can assemble the bites and refrigerate them until ready to bake.
- Can Crack Chicken Bites be frozen? Yes! Place the dipped and uncooked chicken balls onto the parchment-lined baking sheet and freeze for 15 to 20 minutes. Transfer to a freezer bag and store in the freezer until ready.
- To bake, place the frozen chicken balls back on a baking sheet and bake at 350˚F for 25 to 30 minutes, until crispy and golden brown.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Steph
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Can you use panko breadcrumbs instead of cornflakes?
I think that would be fine.