Spicy Yogurt Chicken Bites (Printer View)

Tender chicken marinated in spiced yogurt, coated with panko crumbs, and baked until crispy and golden.

# Components:

→ Chicken

01 - 1.1 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces

→ Marinade

02 - 3/4 cup plain Greek yogurt
03 - 2 tbsp lemon juice
04 - 2 tbsp olive oil
05 - 3 garlic cloves, minced
06 - 1 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
07 - 1 tsp ground cumin
08 - 1 tsp chili powder
09 - 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)
10 - 1 tsp salt
11 - 1/2 tsp black pepper

→ Coating

12 - 1 cup panko breadcrumbs (use gluten-free if needed)
13 - 2 tbsp sesame seeds (optional)
14 - Cooking spray or additional olive oil for baking

# Method:

01 - In a large bowl, combine Greek yogurt, lemon juice, olive oil, minced garlic, smoked paprika, cumin, chili powder, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper. Stir until fully blended.
02 - Add chicken pieces to the marinade, coating thoroughly. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or up to overnight for enhanced flavor.
03 - Set oven to 425°F and prepare a baking sheet by lining with parchment paper or lightly greasing it.
04 - Combine panko breadcrumbs and sesame seeds in a shallow dish.
05 - Remove chicken from marinade, letting excess drip off. Dredge each piece in the breadcrumb mixture, pressing gently to adhere.
06 - Place coated chicken bites evenly on the baking sheet. Lightly spray or drizzle with olive oil.
07 - Bake for 18 to 20 minutes, flipping halfway through, until chicken is golden, crisp, and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
08 - Serve hot accompanied by your preferred dipping sauce.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The yogurt marinade keeps the chicken impossibly juicy, even if you accidentally overbake it a little.
  • It tastes indulgent and complex, but the ingredient list is mostly pantry staples you probably already have.
  • You can prep it hours ahead and just pop it in the oven when guests arrive, making you look effortlessly put together.
02 -
  • Don't skip the marinating time, that hour (or more) is what transforms the chicken from ordinary to incredibly tender and flavorful.
  • Make sure to flip the chicken halfway through baking, otherwise one side stays pale while the other gets all the color.
  • If the breadcrumbs aren't browning, your oven might be running cool or you didn't use enough oil, a quick spray fixes it every time.
03 -
  • Use a meat thermometer to check doneness, it takes the guesswork out and ensures perfectly cooked chicken every single time.
  • If you want extra spice, add a pinch of cayenne directly into the breadcrumb mixture for a double hit of heat.
  • For a richer flavor, swap half the olive oil in the marinade for melted butter, it adds a subtle richness that's absolutely divine.
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