NASHVILLE HOT CHICKEN BITES

Crispy, spicy, fried chicken bites with a creamy, lemon-dill sauce to cool them off! These Nashville Hot Chicken Bites are the perfect party appetizer!

INGREDIENTS:

2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite sized pieces
Duck fat spray (or oil of your choice)
2 cups pork panko (ground pork rinds)
¼ cup Nashville Hot Chicken wing dust or rub (we like CosmosQ Wing Dust or Major Flavor Seasonings rub)
Pickle slices (we used Famous Dave's)

Lemon-Dill Sauce
½ cup Crema Mexicana (or regular sour cream)
¼ cup mayonnaise
Juice of 1/2 a lemon
¼ cup fresh dill, chopped
1 tbsp all purpose seasoning (or salt, pepper, and garlic powder to taste)

Tools 
Instant read thermometer
Large bowl 
Smoker 
Baking sheet 

DIRECTIONS:

1. Marinate the chicken thigh pieces in buttermilk overnight. (Not a necessary step, but it makes them extra tender.)
2. Preheat smoker or grill to 525°F.
3. Place the chicken pieces in a large bowl and spray generously with duck fat spray.
4. Add the pork panko and Nashville Hot Chicken seasoning and toss until well coated.
5. Transfer the chicken pieces to a baking sheet with a rack on top and place the whole thing onto the preheated grill.
6. Cook for 15-20 minutes, until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
7. Combine all of the ingredients for the lemon-dill sauce in a small bowl and whisk until well combined.
8. When the chicken is done cooking, transfer the bites to a serving platter.
9. Top each with a pickle slice and drizzle with a bit of the lemon-dill sauce.
10. Add a toothpick to each one and serve!