Bojangles Crunchy Roasted Chicken Bites Recipe

Chicken nugget fans, it’s finally time to celebrate.

The Bojangles chicken bites are crunchy, savory, and sweet; recommended for those who prefer healthier junk food.

These snacks can be served as a welcoming dish during parties or family dinners.

You can enjoy roasted chicken bites from Bojangles without the fat.

Let’s dive into the recipe,but first a look at its history.

History of Bojangles

Bojangles is a fast food restaurant in the United States.

It was invented in 1977 by two brothers (Jack Fulk and Richard Thomas) from New Orleans.

In 2003, the Bojangles had expanded to over 300 outlets in the U.S.

Till today; quality is the aspect Bojangles has never compromised.

They have their menus featuring grill dishes, sandwiches, and desserts; however, roasted Cajun-seasoned chicken bites are among their signature breakfast and snacks.

How to make Bojangles Roasted chicken bites recipe – oven

Ingredients

Bojangles Cajun-seasoned flour

●1 cup flour, sifted

●2 tbsp. Mustard, dry

●½ tbsp. celery salt

●1 tbsp. salt

●2 tbsp. black pepper, ground

●2 tbsp. paprika

●2 tbsp. onion powder

●2 tbsp. garlic powder

●1 tbsp. cayenne pepper

●1 tsp. thyme, grounded

Bojangles roasted chicken bites

●6 boneless chicken breasts, cut into bite-able sizes

●1 cup Bojangles Cajun-seasoned flour (to be prepared)

●½ cup freshly squeezed lemon juice

●2 tbsp. Cajun seasoning

●3 tbsp. Tobasco sauce

●3 tbsp. Worcestershire Sauce

●1½ tbsp. vinegar

●4 eggs

●3 garlic cloves, minced

Instructions

Making the Bojangles Cajun-seasoned flour

●Step 1: Whisk all the ingredients together in a medium bowl.

●Step 2: Put in a tightly sealed jar after achieving the desired consistency.

Making the Bojangles roasted chicken bites

●Step 1: Mix Worcestershire Sauce, lemon juice, garlic powder, tabasco sauce, vinegar, and Cajun seasoning in a large bowl.

●Step 2: Stir in chicken cubes and coat them completely with the sauce mixture. Seal and refrigerate for about 7 hours or overnight.

●Step 3: Preheat the oven to 420⁰ F. Beat eggs lightly in a separate bowl.

●Step 4: Remove chicken from the marinade, shaking off excess. Coat each chicken cube with the egg mixture then with flour mix.

●Step 5: Arrange the floured chicken cubes on a greased baking sheet. Place in the oven and bake for 15 to 20 minutes. Serve hot.

How to prepare roasted chicken bites in a pan

Using the same ingredients as above, we guide you on making the roasted chicken bites from Bojangles using a skillet or saucepan instead of the oven.

●Step 1: Prep the chicken by cutting it into small uniform-sided pieces.

●Step 2: Preheat the pan or skillet over high heat.

●Step 3: Sear the chicken pieces each side at a time until you get golden brown patches.

●Step 4: Flip the sides and allow them to brown.

●Step 5: Remove the chicken when it cooks through and reaches an internal temperature of 165⁰.

Nutritional Facts: Amount per Serving

Roasted Chicken Bites from Bojangles contain 350 calories.

Most calories come from protein (51%) and fat (38%).

●Calories 350

●Calories from Fat 130   

●Total Fat 14g   

●Saturated Fat 3.5g

●Cholesterol 190mg   

●Sodium 1610mg   

●Total Carbohydrates 9g   

●Dietary Fiber 1g   

●Sugars 5g   

●Protein 44g

What chicken cut is best for making the Bojangles Roasted chicken bites?

You can use boneless chicken breasts or thighs.

Thighs have rich, dense flavors, and the bites are tender and moist.

Chicken breast tends to dry out a little faster.

So, if you opt for breasts, ensure they don’t get too cold; otherwise, they’ll dry and toughen.

Preparation is similar for both meat cuts.

Tips for moist and tender roasted chicken bites Bojangles

● Brine your chicken 

Soak the chicken in heavily salted water before cooking for about 30 minutes.

This process is important in breaking down the muscle fibers of the chicken, ensuring they are tender and flavorful.

It also helps retain the moisture in the chicken essential when roasting to prevent dry out.

● Similar chicken cubes 

Dice the chicken cubes into uniform-sized pieces to ensure even baking.

Uneven cuts make tiny pieces dry out before the larger ones are cooked.

Quick tip; freezing the chicken for a few hours will ease the cutting.

● Room temperature chicken

Rest frozen chicken to reach room temperature before cooking.

If you cook frozen chicken immediately, the heat dries out the outside of the meat before the inside is well done.

However, the chicken cooks evenly at room temperature, retaining the moisture.

● High-fat content 

Higher fat means more flavors and tenderness.

When the fat melts during cooking, it moistens the chicken cuts.

● High heat and heavy pan

Most moisture evaporates when you add meat to a cold pan or oven, thus, drying out your chicken bites.

You want your oven hot so that the chicken bites start to cook immediately and prevent evaporation.

A thin skillet leads to uneven cooking and may burn the outside before the inner parts cook well.

● Rest the roasted chicken bites 

Let the chicken rest for a few minutes after cooking to soak in the juices that build up.

Slicing or serving immediately leaks out the juices and may dry the meat.

● Avoid overcooking 

According to the USDA guidelines, an internal temperature of 165⁰ is enough to kill bacteria in meat.

Remove the chicken at 160⁰ and let it reach 165⁰ during carry-over cooking; otherwise, a minute extension might lead to overcooked meat.

Best dishes to serve over roasted chicken bites Bojangles

●Salads – Pasta salads, tomato, and lettuce salads are great options.

●Veggies – You can opt for: roasted veggies (carrots and broccoli), sautéed veggies (red peppers and cauliflowers), or steamed veggies (asparagus, carrots).

●Starchy foods – Mashed potatoes, regular rice, and zucchini noodles pair well with the roasted chicken bites from Bojangles.

●Pasta – Lemon or parmesan pasta would be a good combo, particularly for dinner.

●No-knead bread – Sourdough bread, bread rolls when sopped in melted butter are amazing pairings for these chicken bites.

How to store leftover roasted chicken bites Bojangle:

● Refrigerating

Cooked chicken can last up to 4 days in the fridge.

However, this depends on how it’s stored.

Pack in a clean airtight container and place in the fridge.

Raw chicken can only last for 2 days in the fridge.

● Freezing 

Let the leftover roasted chicken bites cool and place in an airtight container leaving about half an inch outer space.

Store for up to three months in the freezer.

Defrost overnight before reheating and serving.

How to defrost frozen chicken bites

The easiest way is to remove it from the freezer and into your fridge.

Leave it overnight to thaw and reheat to a 165⁰ internal temperature after thawing.

Use cold or warm water to defrost.

Seal the frozen chicken in a plastic zip-bag and submerge it in a bowl of cold water.

How to reheat roasted chicken bites Bojangles

In the oven

Preheat the oven to 3500F.

Tightly wrap the leftovers with aluminum foil and place them in an oven-safe dish.

Put the dish in the oven and reheat for about 20 minutes.

In the microwave

Put the roasted chicken bites Bojangles in a microwave-safe dish, cover with a lid, and place in the microwave for about 2 minutes.

Flip sides to allow an even reheating.

In a skillet

Place the leftover thawed in a large skillet over low heat.

Add some white wine or sauce to give your stew some moisture.

Heat for 10 minutes, flipping sides once.

Avoid overcooking it.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

What’s the harm in eating chicken skin?

No harm at all.

You don’t have to remove the skin while serving or roast chicken pieces or nuggets.

Although chicken skin harbors fat, most of it is healthy and unsaturated.

Cooking chicken with the skin intensifies its flavors, making it moist and delightful.

What’s the difference between fried and roasted chicken bites?

Roasted chicken bites have less fat compared to fried ones.

Fried chicken is seasoned with flour and butter, then deep-fried in a pan.

Thus, they absorb lots of oil.

Roasted chicken drains the fat while cooking.

What is the best oven temperature to roast chicken bites?

Heat the oven to 420⁰F for the best chicken skin.

If the oven isn’t hot enough, you risk overcooking the chicken before it can brown.

At 420⁰F, the chicken skin is well browned and still juicy.

Bake for about 30 minutes until the internal temperature is at 165⁰F.

Why are my roasted chicken bites so tough?

You most likely overcooked it.

Baking chicken bites for too long leads to dry, tough, and less flavored meat.

Soak the chicken in salted water for about 30 minutes before roasting.

This helps retain the moisture while baking and adds to the chicken flavors.

How do you make the roasted chicken bites extra crispy?

Coating the chicken cubes with corn starch adds that needed a crunchy bite.

Alternatively, cook on high heat for a longer period; it helps brown and crisp the skin.

Roasted chicken bites are versatile.

You can eat them for dinner, breakfast, or as a snack.

Apart from being simple to prepare, you can perfectly make them for large or small crowds and during any occasion.

The roasted chicken bites pair well with salads and veggies, thus, a deliciously healthy combination.

Pick yourself a package of raw boneless chicken breast pieces and start the cooking.

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