Recipe: Crispy Pickle-Brined Chicken Bites with Blue Cheese Dipping Sauce

Salty, crispy, and packed with flavor, these crispy pickle-brined chicken bites with creamy blue cheese sauce are the ultimate party appetizer. To start, brining the chicken in pickle juice and dill tenderizes the meat from the inside out, while a cornflake crust delivers the crunchiest bite imaginable. In addition, the creamy blue cheese sauce brings a bold, tangy contrast that ties everything together perfectly. Best of all, whether you are serving them at a backyard cookout, game day spread, or holiday party, these pickle-brined chicken bites are guaranteed to be the first thing to disappear from the table. As a result, you may want to consider doubling the batch.

Chicken Brine

• Boneless skinless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
• Pickle juice, to taste
• Pickle chips, to taste
• Dill, to taste

Blue Cheese Sauce

• 2 tablespoons sour cream or yogurt
• Blue cheese crumbles, to taste
• Chopped chives, to taste
• Sea salt, to taste
• Pepper, to taste

Chicken

• Cornflakes, to taste
• 1 egg, whisked
• Flour, to taste
• Fry oil, to taste
• Toothpicks

How to Make Pickle-Brined Chicken Bites

1. First, slice the chicken into bite-sized pieces and add to a bowl. Pour pickle juice and dill over the top and let marinate for at least one hour or overnight.
2. Next, add cornflakes to a zip-lock bag and pound until they form a coarse crumb. Then set up a dredging station with flour in one bowl, whisked egg in a second, and crushed cornflakes in a third. Add fry oil to a deep pan.
3. Working a few pieces at a time, coat the chicken in flour, then egg, then the cornflake mixture, making sure each piece is evenly coated.
4. Once the oil reaches 350 degrees F, add the chicken a few pieces at a time, being careful not to overcrowd the pan. Cook for 6 to 8 minutes depending on the size of the pieces, flipping halfway through, until the outside is browned and crispy and the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F. After that, transfer to a wire rack or paper towel lined plate.
5. Meanwhile, make the blue cheese sauce by combining all sauce ingredients in a bowl and mixing until thoroughly combined.
6. Finally, to assemble, thread a piece of chicken, a small dollop of blue cheese sauce, and a pickle chip onto each toothpick. Repeat with remaining pieces and serve.

Credit: Recipe courtesy of Abigail at Bon Abbetit