Dinner

Pickle-Brined Chicken Bites with Creamy Blue Cheese Sauce Recipe

Name: Pickle-Brined Chicken Bites with Creamy Blue Cheese Sauce Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: PT-489141H15M30S
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces; 1 cup pickle juice; 1/4 cup pickle chips; 2 tbsp fresh dill, chopped; 2 tbsp sour cream or plain yogurt; 1/4 cup blue cheese crumbles; 1 tbsp chopped chives; 1/4 tsp sea salt; 1/8 tsp freshly ground black pepper; 1 1/2 cups corn flakes; 1/2 cup all-purpose flour; 1 large egg, whisked; Vegetable or canola oil, for frying (about 2 cups); Toothpicks for serving

ByMaya Arden October 18, 2025October 18, 2025

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Introduction

These pickle-brined chicken bites are a delightful twist on crispy fried chicken, infused with tangy pickle flavor and paired with a creamy blue cheese sauce. Perfect as a snack or appetizer, they offer a crunchy coating and juicy interior that will satisfy any craving.

The image shows crispy, orange-colored fried bites with a rough texture, arranged on a metal cooling rack over a white marbled surface. Each bite has a thick dollop of white creamy sauce with visible green herbs on top, and a green pickle slice placed over the sauce, both held together with a colored toothpick—one green and one red—in clear view. The background is softly blurred showing more of these bites, emphasizing the detailed texture and layers in the foreground. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

Boneless skinless chicken thigh or breast
Pickle juice and pickle chips

Dill
2 tbsp sour cream or yogurt

Blue cheese crumbles
Chopped chives

Sea salt
Pepper
Corn flakes

Egg
Flour
Fry oil

Toothpicks

Instructions

Step 1: Slice the chicken into bite-sized pieces and place them in a bowl. Pour pickle juice and add dill over the chicken, then let it marinate for at least one hour or overnight for best flavor.
Step 2: Place corn flakes in a zip-top bag and crush them into large crumbs using a rolling pin or a heavy pan. Prepare three separate bowls: one with flour, one with the crushed corn flakes, and one with a whisked egg. Heat fry oil in a deep pan to 350°F (175°C).

Step 3: Working in small batches, coat each piece of chicken by dredging first in flour, then dipping in the egg, and finally coating with the cornflake crumbs. Make sure each piece is evenly covered.
Step 4: Fry the coated chicken pieces in the hot oil, being careful not to overcrowd the pan. Cook for about 6-8 minutes, turning halfway through, until the chicken is golden brown and crispy. The internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C).
Step 5: Transfer the cooked chicken bites to a rack or paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.

Step 6: To make the blue cheese sauce, combine sour cream or yogurt, blue cheese crumbles, chopped chives, sea salt, and pepper in a bowl. Mix until smooth and well blended.
Step 7: Assemble by skewering a piece of chicken with a dollop of the blue cheese sauce and a pickle chip on a toothpick. Repeat with all pieces and serve immediately.

Tips & Variations

For extra tang, use a mix of dill and garlic pickle juice in the brine.

Chicken thighs stay juicier, but chicken breast works well if cooked carefully to avoid drying out.
Try substituting sour cream with Greek yogurt for a lighter sauce.
Use panko breadcrumbs if you prefer a different texture for the coating.

Serve with extra blue cheese sauce for dipping alongside.

Storage

Store any leftover chicken bites in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10 minutes to retain crispiness. The blue cheese sauce is best made fresh but can be stored separately in the fridge for up to 2 days as well.