Buffalo Chicken Bites

The next best thing to wings on a Saturday afternoon.  There is something so smug and rewarding about finding an alternative to a crave-worthy junk food that actually satisfies the craving.  These little bites were super easy to make, since I had everything on hand already.  While I know they are not really the same as a buffalo wing (and sometimes you just gotta get the real thing), they actually tasted better than a lot of the boneless options I've tried. 

Buffalo Chicken Bites

(serves 2)

2 boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces

1/4-1/2 C buffalo sauce (recommend Syberg's)

1 package Shake n Bake or 1/2 C seasoned breadcrumbs

1 packet Hidden Valley ranch dry mix

Preheat oven to 350. Pour buffalo sauce into a shallow bowl and combine breadcrumbs and ranch mix in another.  Spray a metal cooling rack with Pam and place on top of a cookie sheet.Dip chicken into sauce, coating well, and then roll in breadcrumbs until completely coated. Evenly space chicken bites on the rack.  Spray lightly with Pam.  Bake until crisp and brown, 18-20 minutes.  Brush with additional sauce to taste.  Enjoy!

I baked some crinkle fries along with the chicken, which slowed down the cooking time a little since my oven was full.  The chicken seems to cook quickly, but it's getting the coating to crisp that takes a few extra minutes, but it's well worth it.  Kenny loved these and they were a really easy and much healthier alternative to a take-out order of traditional wings.  I'm pleased to report that our Mizzou Tigers won the basketball game against Baylor, putting them at #3 in the nation with talks of a top seed come tourney time.  These are obviously good luck and I am sure they will taste extra delicious in March.