Crispy fried chicken nuggets dusted in a warm cinnamon-chili sugar blend, served with whipped hot honey butter. It’s sweet, savory, spicy, and totally addictive—everything you never knew you needed in a bite-sized appetizer.
We’ve all had fried chicken. We’ve all had churros. But what if they teamed up? These Churro Fried Chicken Bites take classic buttermilk fried chicken and give it a sweet-spicy twist: a cinnamon-chili sugar coating straight out of your dessert dreams, balanced by a rich, whipped hot honey butter for dipping. They’re crispy, tender, crave-worthy, and unapologetically extra. Whether you're hosting a game night or building a wild small plates menu, these bites are guaranteed to start conversations (and vanish fast).
Ingredients
For the Chicken Bites
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1 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces
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1 cup buttermilk
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1 teaspoon hot sauce
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1 cup all-purpose flour
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½ cup cornstarch
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1 teaspoon garlic powder
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1 teaspoon smoked paprika
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½ teaspoon salt
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Neutral oil for frying (vegetable, canola, or peanut)
For the Churro Seasoning
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⅓ cup granulated sugar
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1 teaspoon cinnamon
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¼ teaspoon chili powder (ancho or cayenne for more heat)
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Pinch of salt
For the Hot Honey Butter Dip
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½ cup unsalted butter, room temperature
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2 tablespoons honey
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1–2 teaspoons hot sauce (adjust to taste)
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Pinch of cayenne (optional)
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Pinch of flaky salt, for garnish
Instructions
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Marinate the Chicken
In a medium bowl, toss chicken with buttermilk and hot sauce. Cover and chill for at least 30 minutes, up to 4 hours. -
Make the Churro Seasoning
In a small bowl, mix sugar, cinnamon, chili powder, and a pinch of salt. Set aside. -
Prep the Dredge
In a shallow dish, combine flour, cornstarch, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and salt. -
Bread the Chicken
Remove chicken from marinade, shaking off excess. Dredge each piece in the seasoned flour mixture, pressing to coat. Set aside on a tray. -
Fry Until Golden
Heat oil in a deep skillet or pot to 350°F (175°C). Fry chicken in batches for 4–5 minutes, or until golden brown and cooked through. Drain on a wire rack or paper towel-lined tray. -
Dust with Churro Seasoning
While still hot, toss the fried chicken in the churro seasoning until evenly coated. -
Make the Hot Honey Butter Dip
In a small bowl, whip the butter with honey, hot sauce, and cayenne until smooth and fluffy. Garnish with flaky salt on top. -
Serve Hot
Plate the chicken bites with a generous side of hot honey butter and serve immediately.
Pro Tips / Notes
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Don’t skip the cornstarch—it’s key for that extra crunch in the coating.
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Want even more heat? Add crushed red pepper to the churro sugar.
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The dip also works great melted slightly and drizzled over the chicken like a glaze.
Nutritional Estimates (per serving, based on 6 servings)
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Calories: 410
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Protein: 22g
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Fat: 28g
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Carbohydrates: 19g
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Sugar: 6g
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Sodium: 480mg
