These Cajun chicken bites are quick and easy bite-size appetizers made with just 4 ingredients, chicken, cajun seasoning, lemon juice, and oil. Serve it as an appetizer with your favorite dip, or add it to your favorite wrap, salad, or sandwich. Tastes incredibly delicious and is ready within 30 minutes.
These spicy cajun chicken bites are super addictive, quick and easy to make, and are perfect for a busy weeknight dinner. It takes less than 30 minutes to put together and tastes incredibly delicious!
Cajun chicken bites are made with simple homemade Cajun seasoning made with pantry staple ingredients within 5 minutes. You can use this Cajun seasoning to make Cajun chicken and rice, Cajun chicken sandwiches, Cajun Chicken Jabalaya, or Cajun Chicken Pasta.
These spicy chicken bites are meal-prep-friendly. Marinate the chicken ahead, refrigerate it, and pan-fry it just before serving.
What is Cajun chicken made of?
Cajun chicken is made with only 4 ingredients - chicken, cajun seasoning, olive oil, and fresh lemon juice. Cajun seasoning is a blend of paprika, ground black pepper, Italian seasoning (or oregano and thyme), salt, cayenne pepper, onion powder, and garlic powder.
What's in these Spicy Cajun Chicken Bites?
Boneless Chicken Breasts – I used boneless skinless chicken breasts, feel free to use boneless chicken thighs. However, chicken thighs will take longer to cook.
Cajun Seasoning – You can use store-bought Cajun seasoning. I like to make mine at home. Making your own seasoning gives you the freedom to adjust the spiciness to match your family's tastes. I have shared the recipe in the post.
Cayenne Pepper - It gives a spicy kick to the chicken bites. Reduce the quantity of cayenne pepper in the Cajun seasoning to make the dish less spicy or increase it to make it spicier.
Lemon juice - Fresh lemon juice brightens up the flavor of this spicy chicken appetizer. You can substitute it with fresh lime juice or vinegar.
How to make Cajun chicken bites
- Pound the chicken breast for even thickness. Cut it into bite-size pieces.
- In a medium-sized bowl, combine the chicken pieces with 2 tablespoon of Cajun seasoning, lemon juice, and 2 teaspoon of oil. Let it marinate for 30 minutes.
- Heat 1 tablespoon of butter and 1 teaspoon of oil in a heavy bottom pan/skillet over medium-high heat. Swirl the pan to coat it with oil.
- Place the marinated chicken in the heated pan. Do not overcrowd the pan; make sure there is some space between the chicken pieces.
- Pan-sear the chicken pieces on both sides until golden and cooked through.
- Remove and serve these crispy chicken bites with your favorite dip.
Expert Tips
- Marinate the chicken for a minimum of 30 minutes or 2 hours for the best flavors. If you are marinating the chicken for more than 30 minutes, cover and keep it in the refrigerator. After 2 hours remove them from the refrigerator, keep them on the kitchen counter until they come to room temperature then pan-fry them.
- Cook the chicken until it reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees F.
- Make sure the pan is hot enough when you place chicken on it. Let the chicken cook undisturbed for 3-4 minutes or until char marks appear on them. Flip the chicken pieces with tongs and then fry until golden and cooked through.
- Do not overcrowd the pan while pan-searing the Cajun chicken. Too much chicken will lower the pan's temperature, leading to steaming instead of searing. For even browning and crispy chicken bites, cook in batches if needed.
- To make it ahead, simply marinade the chicken and place it in a resealable bag. Refrigerate for up to 2-3 days. Grill the chicken when you’re ready to serve.
- You can easily double this chicken bites recipe.
How to serve?
Serve these Cajun chicken bites as an appetizer with any of your favorite dips. You can also wrap it in a sandwich or toss it with fresh vegetables to make grilled chicken salad.
If you make this cajun chicken bites recipe, please leave a comment and a starred review below.
And, consider following me on social media so we can stay connected. I’m on Facebook, Pinterest, and YouTube!
Recipe Card
Cajun Chicken Bites
Equipment
- 1 Heavy bottom pan
Ingredients
For Cajun Seasoning
- 1 tablespoon paprika (smoked or regular)
- 2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1.5 tablespoon Italian Seasoning (substitute 1 teaspoon oregano and ½ teaspoon thyme)
- 1 tablespoon salt
- 1 tablespoon cayenne pepper (reduce the quantity if you prefer less spicy)
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- 2 tablespoon garlic powder
For making chicken bites
- 1 boneless skinless chicken breast (or chicken thighs) cut into bite-size cubes
- 2 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 3 teaspoon olive oil, divided
- 1 tablespoon butter (optional, enhabces the flaovr)
Instructions
- Pound the chicken breast for even thickness. Cut it into bite-size pieces.
- In a medium size bowl, combine the chicken pieces with 2 tablespoon of Cajun seasoning, lemon juice and 2 teaspoon of oil. Let it marinate for 30 minutes.
- Heat 1 tablespoon of butter and 1 teaspoon of oil in a heavy bottom pan/skillet over medium high heat. Swirl the pan to coat it with oil.
- Place the marinated chicken on the heated pan. Do not overcrowd the pan; make sure there is some space between the chicken pieces.
- Pan sear the chicken pieces on both sides until golden and cooked through (internal temperature of 165°F). Remove and serve these chicken bites with your favorite dip.
Video
Notes
- Marinate the chicken for a minimum of 30 minutes or 2 hours for the best flavors. If you are marinating the chicken for more than 30 minutes, cover and keep it in the refrigerator. After 2 hours remove them from the refrigerator, keep them on the kitchen counter until they come to room temperature then pan-fry them.
- Cook the chicken until it reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees F.
- Make sure the pan is hot enough when you place chicken on it. Let the chicken cook undisturbed for 3-4 minutes or until char marks appear on them. Flip the chicken pieces with tongs and then fry until golden and cooked through.
- Do not overcrowd the pan while pan-searing the chicken. Too much chicken will lower the pan's temperature, leading to steaming instead of searing. For even browning and crispy chicken bites, cook in batches if needed.
- To make it ahead, simply marinade the chicken and place it in a resealable bag. Refrigerate for up to 2-3 days. Grill the chicken when you’re ready to serve.
- You can easily double this recipe.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Preeti
I've been loving these Cajun Chicken Bites lately. They're so packed with flavor, easy to make, and ready in no time. Trust me, you've got to give this simple, satisfying recipe a try for your next weeknight dinner or party snack.