Description
Golden oven-baked chicken bites bursting with zesty lemon and savory garlic! Perfectly crispy without frying, this 30-minute appetizer disappears faster than party confetti.
Ingredients
✓ 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts (cut into 1″ cubes)
✓ 3 tbsp olive oil
✓ Zest + juice of 1 large lemon (3 tbsp juice)
✓ 4-5 garlic cloves, minced
✓ 1 tsp kosher salt
✓ ½ tsp black pepper
✓ 1 tsp dried oregano (optional)
✓ ½ tsp smoked paprika (optional)
✓ ⅓ cup cornstarch (key for crispiness!)
Instructions
Marinate: Whisk olive oil, lemon zest/juice, garlic, salt, pepper, oregano, and paprika. Toss with chicken. Rest 15 mins (room temp) or 1-2 hrs (fridge).
Prep: Preheat oven to 425°F. Line baking sheet with parchment; add wire rack for crispiness.
Coat: Dredge chicken in cornstarch (shake off excess). Arrange in single layer.
Bake: 10 mins → flip → bake 10-12 mins until golden and internal temp hits 165°F.
Serve: Garnish with extra lemon zest. Devour hot!
Notes
✨ Pro Tips:
• Pat chicken dry before marinating for max crisp.
• Use a wire rack – game-changer for even browning!
• Swap cornstarch with tapioca starch (GF option).
• Freeze extras: Bake from frozen +5 mins.
🌶 Variations:
• Spicy: Add 1 tsp chili flakes to marinade.
• Herb Lovers: Mix in 1 tbsp chopped rosemary.
- Prep Time: 15 mins (+ marinate)
- Cook Time: 22 mins
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American-Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: serving: 4-5 bites
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 0.3g
- Sodium: 480mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 8g
- Fiber: 0.2g
- Protein: 26g
- Cholesterol: 75mg