Spicy Yogurt Chicken Bites (Printable Version)

Juicy chicken marinated in spiced yogurt and baked to a golden crisp, perfect for a flavorful appetizer.

# Needed Ingredients:

→ 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

# Preparation Steps:

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

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • They're impossibly tender inside with a shattering breadcrumb shell that actually stays crispy, even when they cool slightly.
  • The yogurt marinade does the heavy lifting—it's a flavor bomb that keeps the chicken juicy while the spices seep in deeply.
  • You can make them in less than two hours total, and most of that is hands-off marinating time.
02 -
  • Don't skip the oil spray or drizzle—I learned this the hard way when my first batch came out pale and sad.
  • Flipping halfway matters because the bottom side needs to crisp up too, not just sit there steaming.
03 -
  • If you have an air fryer, these cook beautifully at 200°C for 12–15 minutes with even less oil and virtually no cleanup.
  • Prep the marinade the night before and add chicken in the morning for a truly hands-off dinner party prep.
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