Crispy Everything Bagel Cornflake Chicken Bites with Whipped Dill-Pickle Yogurt Dip

Looking for a recipe that combines trending flavors with ultimate ease? These Crispy Everything Bagel Cornflake Chicken Bites are your next obsession! Inspired by viral food hacks, this dish delivers an irresistible crunch and savory punch, making it a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Best of all, they're super quick to prepare, perfect for busy weeknights when you crave something extraordinary without the fuss.

Prep Time 15 minutes

Cook Time 20 minutes

Total Time 35 minutes

Servings 4 servings

Ingredients

• 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into 1-inch pieces
• 2 cups cornflakes, crushed
• 3 tbsp everything bagel seasoning
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 large eggs, beaten
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 2 tbsp olive oil (for baking/air frying)
• FOR THE DILL-PICKLE YOGURT DIP:
• 1 cup plain Greek yogurt (full-fat or 2%)
• 1/4 cup finely chopped fresh dill
• 2 tbsp pickle juice
• 1 tbsp finely minced garlic (or 1 tsp garlic powder)
• 1/2 tsp salt
• Pinch of black pepper

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C) or air fryer to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or spray air fryer basket with cooking spray.
2. In a shallow dish, combine crushed cornflakes and everything bagel seasoning. In another shallow dish, add flour, salt, and pepper. In a third dish, beat the eggs.
3. Dredge each chicken piece first in the seasoned flour, shaking off excess. Then dip in the beaten egg, allowing extra to drip off. Finally, roll in the cornflake-everything bagel mixture, pressing gently to ensure an even coating.
4. Arrange the coated chicken bites in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet or in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are not overcrowded. Drizzle or spray lightly with olive oil.
5. Bake for 18-22 minutes (flipping halfway if desired) or air fry for 12-15 minutes, until golden brown, crispy, and cooked through (internal temperature 165°F/74°C).
6. While chicken cooks, prepare the dill-pickle yogurt dip: In a small bowl, combine Greek yogurt, fresh dill, pickle juice, minced garlic, salt, and pepper. Stir until well combined and smooth.
7. Taste the dip and adjust seasoning as needed. For a thinner consistency, add a tiny splash more pickle juice or water.
8. Serve the crispy everything bagel cornflake chicken bites hot with the creamy dill-pickle yogurt dip on the side. Garnish with extra fresh dill if desired.

Chef's Note

For maximum crispiness, make sure your cornflakes are finely crushed, but still have some texture. Press the coating firmly onto the chicken pieces. If using an air fryer, cook in batches to avoid overcrowding, which can lead to steaming instead of crisping.

Make-Ahead Tips

The dill-pickle yogurt dip can be made up to 2 days in advance and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The chicken bites are best enjoyed fresh for optimal crispiness, but leftovers can be reheated in an air fryer or oven to regain some crunch.

Substitutions

Substitute chicken breast with boneless, skinless chicken thighs for extra juiciness. For a gluten-free option, use gluten-free cornflakes and an all-purpose gluten-free flour blend. If you don't have fresh dill, a tablespoon of dried dill can be used in the dip, though fresh is highly recommended.