Description
Oven-baked crispy lemon pepper chicken bites inspired by classic wing flavors. Bite-size pieces of boneless chicken are coated in a light, seasoned baking powder mixture, baked until golden and crisp, then tossed in a bright, buttery lemon pepper sauce. This easy appetizer delivers all the zesty, peppery flavor of Crispy Lemon Pepper Wings with a simple, reliable method that works every time.
Ingredients
1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast or thighs, cut into bite-size pieces
1 tbsp baking powder
1/2 tsp black pepper
1/2 tsp smoked paprika
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp onion powder
Lemon Pepper Sauce
2 tsp lemon pepper seasoning
2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
2 tsp lemon juice
Instructions
1. Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Pat the chicken pieces dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture and help them crisp in the oven.
3. In a small bowl, mix the baking powder, black pepper, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder until well combined.
4. Sprinkle the seasoning blend over the chicken pieces and toss until each piece is evenly coated on all sides.
5. Arrange the chicken pieces on the prepared baking sheet in a single layer, leaving a little space between each piece.
6. Bake for 20–25 minutes, then flip the chicken pieces and cook for another 20–25 minutes, or until crisp and fully cooked through.
7. While the chicken finishes baking, stir together the lemon pepper seasoning, melted butter, and lemon juice in a small bowl to make the sauce.
8. Transfer the hot chicken bites to a large bowl, pour the lemon pepper sauce over the top, and toss until every piece is well coated. Serve right away.
Notes
For best texture, make sure the chicken is well dried before coating with the baking powder mixture.
These baked chicken bites are naturally gluten-free as long as your baking powder and lemon pepper seasoning are certified gluten-free.
For extra lemon flavor, add freshly grated lemon zest to the sauce or sprinkle over the chicken just before serving.
Always cook chicken to an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) for food safety.
Approximate nutrition per serving: 196 calories, 16 g fat, 12 g protein, 3 g carbohydrates.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Appetizers & Snacks
- Method: Oven-baked
- Cuisine: American