CHEESY PARM BITES

These crispy, cheesy Chicken Parm Bites are everything you love about the classic dish—shrunk down, leveled up, and designed for dipping. Whether you're hosting game night, feeding picky eaters, or just want a quick weeknight win, these are here to crunch and comfort.

Ingredients

For the Chicken Bites:

  • 1 lb chicken breast or thighs, cut into nugget-size pieces

  • 1 sleeve Ritz crackers (about 30–35 crackers), crushed

  • ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese

  • 1 tsp garlic powder

  • Salt and pepper to taste

  • 2 eggs, beaten

  • Neutral oil spray (for air fryer or baking)

To Finish:

  • ½ cup marinara or pizza sauce

  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

  • Fresh basil (optional)

  • Extra Parmesan, for garnish

Instructions

  1. Prep the Coating:

    • Bowl 1: Flour, seasoned with salt and pepper

    • Bowl 2: Beaten eggs

    • Bowl 3: Crushed Ritz crackers mixed with Parmesan and garlic powder

  2. Bread the Chicken (Wet Hand/Dry Hand Method):

    • Dry hand: dredge chicken in flour

    • Wet hand: dip in egg

    • Dry hand again: press into cracker-Parmesan mix
      This keeps the coating clean and consistent—plus your hands less goopy.

  3. Let It Rest:
    After breading, place pieces on a tray and let them sit for 5–10 minutes so the coating adheres well.

  4. Cook 'Em Up:

    • Air Fryer: 400°F for 8–10 minutes, flipping halfway. Spray with oil for best crunch.

    • Oven: 400°F for 15–20 minutes on a wire rack or parchment-lined baking tray. Flip halfway and spray with oil.

  5. Top Like a Pizza:
    Spoon a small dollop of marinara over each cooked bite. Sprinkle with mozzarella and return to the air fryer or oven for 1–2 minutes until cheese melts.

  6. Garnish and Serve:
    Add chopped basil or parsley and a final hit of Parmesan. Serve hot with extra marinara for dipping.

Pro Tips

  • Cut pieces evenly so they cook at the same rate.

  • Don’t skip the resting step after breading—helps the crust stay on.

  • Use a cooling rack if baking to keep bottoms crispy.

Pour Choices Pairings (Simple but Fancy)

These cocktails work if you’re just getting into mixing drinks or want to show off a little flair.

  • Whiskey: Whiskey Sour (2 oz whiskey, ¾ oz lemon juice, ½ oz simple syrup, dash of bitters)

  • Tequila: Ranch Water (2 oz tequila, juice of ½ lime, Topo Chico to fill)

  • Vodka: Vodka Lemonade (sub club soda for bubbles if desired)

  • Gin: Gin & Tonic with orange slice or dash of bitters

  • Rum: Cuba Libre (Rum + Coke + lime = grown-up soda)

Special Thanks to GigglesLA

This recipe is part of our GigglesLA x Pour Choices crossover—celebrating the real lives of parents with delicious food and drinks. GigglesLA is a lifestyle brand that honors the joy and strength of raising boys through fashion, community, and love. From cute fits to supporting creatives, they’re helping build confidence one outfit—and one bite—at a time.

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