Crispy, juicy Cornbread-Crusted Ranch Chicken Bites coated in cornbread mix and tangy ranch seasoning, fried to golden perfection. Perfect for dipping and snacking!
You know how sometimes you stumble onto a recipe so easy and so good that you wonder why you didn’t think of it sooner? Well, these Cornbread-Crusted Ranch Chicken Bites are exactly that. Crispy, golden bites of juicy, ranch-marinated chicken coated in corn meal that’ll make you wonder why you ever bothered with takeout. Cornbread flavor + tangy ranch = fried chicken magic.
Why Cornbread and Ranch?
I know it might sound like an odd combo, but trust me — it works. The cornbread mix gives the chicken this amazing crispy, slightly sweet coating, while the ranch seasoning brings in that herby, tangy goodness that takes it over the top. It’s the best of both worlds: comfort food meets flavor bomb.
These little guys are basically the chicken nugget’s cooler, more interesting cousin — the one everyone wants to sit next to at the party.
Let’s Get Technical
If you’ve ever struggled to get that perfectly crispy coating when frying chicken, the key is in the dredge. For this recipe that’s a simple dip an egg wash and a roll through the corn meal mixture.
And don’t crowd the pan! Frying in batches is essential to keep the oil temperature steady. If the oil gets too cool, you’ll end up with greasy chicken instead of that golden crunch you’re after. Keep the heat at a steady 350°F, and you’ll be golden (literally).
How to Bake Them (if You Must)
If frying isn’t your thing (or if you’re trying to cut back on oil), you can absolutely bake these. Just coat the chicken the same way, then place the pieces on a wire rack over a baking sheet. Spray them lightly with cooking spray (this helps them crisp up), and bake at 400°F for about 18 to 20 minutes, flipping halfway through. You won’t get the exact same crunch as frying, but they’ll still be tasty — and a little less guilt-inducing.
What to Serve Them With
These little nuggets of joy are begging for a dipping sauce. Ketchup? Yes. Honey mustard? Yes. Ranch (because you can never have too much ranch)? Absolutely. BBQ sauce or a spicy honey drizzle? Now you’re talking.
Pair them with some mashed potatoes and green beans for a down-home supper, or just put them on a big platter and let people grab them with their hands — they’ll disappear fast either way.
Why You’ll Love Them
They’re crispy, juicy, and packed with flavor — plus, they come together with just a few pantry staples. It’s one of those recipes you’ll keep coming back to because it’s just that easy (and ridiculously good).
Ingredients
- 1 ½ to 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breast, cut into 1-inch chunks
- 1 (1-ounce) packet ranch salad dressing and seasoning mix
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon water
- 1 cup Martha White Self-Rising Corn Meal Mix
- vegetable oil or peanut oil for frying
Instructions
- Mix the chicken breast pieces and ranch dressing mix together in a small bowl and place it in the refrigerator for 15 to 20 minutes to allow it to marinate.
- Heat about 2 inches of oil in a heavy bottomed pot or dutch oven to about 350°F.
- Place the flour in one small bowl. Whisk the egg and water together in another bowl. Place the cornmeal in a third bowl.
- Remove the chicken from the refrigerator and dredge each piece in the flour, dip it in the egg wash, then coat it with the corn meal. Fry in batches for 3 to 5 minutes or until golden brown. Serve with your favorite dipping sauce or simply by themselves.
Notes
- Nutritional information does not include oil absorbed during frying, as the amount can vary.
Nutrition
* If nutritional values are provided, they are an estimate and will vary depending on the brands used. The values do not include optional ingredients or when ingredients are added to taste. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, I recommend grabbing your favorite brands and plugging those ingredients into an online nutritional calculator.
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This sounds so easy and quick and simple. I love Martha White self rising flour and cornmeal. That’s what I make my biscuits and cornbread with.
It’s all we use too!
Threes recipient are good, I just know they are. I love anything “cornbread” and always use Martha White SR
Corn meal . Thank you for sharing .
Thanks, Linda!
I grew up Martha White corn meal receipts
Can always count on quality performance
I can’t believe I have to pick one product. I love the cornmeal for frying squash and okra AND cornbread! I also live the flour. You can’t make a pound cake without it! I guess I will pick the cornmeal! Love MW!!!!
Love the Blueberry Muffin Mix!
Blueberry muffin mix is my favorite!
There is a “Closed on Sunday” chicken sandwich that uses ranch dressing mix both in the marinade and in the breading. Cornmeal mix might be a good twist. Thinking of using with shrimp instead of chicken.
Yum!
My 5 year old, who is the pickiest eater ever, LOVED these! He even asked to have the leftovers for dinner tomorrow. Thank you!!
That’s awesome, Rachel! Love to hear that!
I love to use up very ripe bananas by adding them to a muffin mix, especially the strawberry muffin mix. Quick, easy , delicious!
I <3 them all!!
Martha White blueberry muffin mix
Oh my gosh,in my comment above, I can’t believe I forgot to mention I love the pizza crust. That is what I’m making tonight
Good old Martha White AP flour is my go-to. can use it of make anything I need to make including muffins, biscuits, cace and pie pastry.
Love the muffin mixes, makes it easy to have a snack.
My very favorites are the self-rising cornmeal and the muffin mixes. I always keep a supply on hand because they are easy and delicious.
What would corn bread be without Martha White self-rising cornmeal? It’s my favorite!
Love Martha’s products but can’t get them in Oregon. Please bring them in to Oregon. My favorite is the self-rising cornmeal.
Love the Martha’s white muffins mix.
My favorite’s the Hush Puppy Mix with onion.
Can you tell me what I would replace the Martha White Self Rising Corn Meal with? I’m in Washington St and that’s not available here. Is it corn meal, baking powder, salt????
It’s simple self-rising corn meal, so another brand would work. It’s also not hugely important that it be self-rising in this recipe. Regular fine ground meal will work too.
I love the blueberry muffin mix
Blueberry muffin mix
I love all Martha White flours!! Bake with them all the time.
I love the chocolate chip muffin mix – it makes such tasty muffins!
Martha White Flour and meal. The best there is.
These sound amazing!! My favorite Martha White product would have to be self rising flour gotta have some butter milk biscuts !!!
Martha White muffin mixes are the best!
When it comes to the muffin mixes I can’t pick a particular favorite. I love muffins and love all the flavors, so my favorite would be all the muffin mixes, oh soooooooooo delicious.
My favorite would either be the Pumpkin Spice Flavored Muffin Mix (oh, how I love these but they are sometimes so hard to find that when I do, I need to hoard them) or the Chocolate Chocolate Chip Muffin Mix.
This looks great! I love all the muffin mixes, but anything from Martha White is pea pickin’ good!
Oops! I mistyped my email address!
I love the cornbread mix, but love all the products. I just moved back to my home state of SC from Phoenix AZ and can now finally get all the Martha White products!
Hot water corn bread is my favorite decadent carb with Martha White HotRize corn meal.
Brings back memories of my Great-Aunt Claire, who was a wonderful southern cook!
I love using all the muffin mixes but Blueberry is the best. I can’t find Martha White flour in this area.
Love the Martha White All Purpose Flour. Never fails me.
Martha White Blueberry Muffin mix! The best!
I love the muffin mixes, especially blueberry! These chicken bites look really good!
We love the strawberry and blueberry muffins. The cornbread chicken bites looks wonderful!
Martha White Cornbread Mix makes the BEST cornbread in my iron skillet. Total perfection! I have these great looking chicken bites on my list to make. They look very good!
Love ALL of the muffin mixes and always keep some on hand.
I buy a lot of Martha White muffin mixes and love all flavors, but I alwayse HAVE to have the blueberry mix on hand for when my Grand son comes (often) That is what he likes to do first.. bake muffins 🙂
Martha White Cornmeal Mix is the Best! Over 40 years in my kitchen!
I love the cornmeal….perfect cornbread every time!
Thanks for all of your great ideas and recipes!
Teresa
Love the muffin mixes.
I love me some Martha White muffins! Especially the cream cheese flavors.
These chicken nuggets look delicious; thanks Stacey!
OH! DON’T YOU KNOW, ANY AND ALL WITH MARTHA WHITE?????
I love,love, love all the mixes….used them all my life…(and I’m old!!!) Favorite?! Lemon Poppy seed or Apple Cider Muffin…..still hard to pick!
My favorite is all of the muffin mixes.
Honestly, how can you get past her cornmeal? Makes the best cornbread! 🙂
My favorite is the Martha White muffin mixes. My wife loves the lemon poppy seed and my kids and I love mixing strawberry cheesecake and blueberry. So yummy straight out of the oven with a little bit of butter or slightly warmed in the microwave with a little butter.
Always a fan of the Martha White corn meal mixes. Makes the best cornbread. Can’t wait to try this recipe!
Martha White Cornmeal is a staple in my home. We make hoe cakes using it every week. Love Them!
Oh and I love the muffin mixes…have you tried the Apple Cider Muffin Mix…Yummy!!! 🙂
Love Martha White Flour and Corn Meal and muffin mixes. Just love Martha White. Can’t wait to try these chicken bites!
I only buy Martha White all-purpose flour. If one grocery store is out of it, I’ll go to another before buying some other brand
I love the blueberry muffin mix and the chocolate chip muffin mix
I grew up with Martha White Cornmeal, it is the best!!!!! Can’t wait to try the cornbread crusted ranch chicken bites. Know my grand children will be crazy for them. Thanks
My favorite product is Martha White’s White Cornbread Mix! We eat them at least once a week!
I’ve used Martha White flour my entire life and I could not imagine what it would be like to be without it. My biscuits would be no good, my pie crust would probably flop and my cornbread dressing just would not taste the same without Martha White cornmeal.
Love using all the muffin mixes……favorite; apple cinnamon
I like the Pumpkin Spice Muffin Mix. Yum!
My favorite product is the bluebery muffin mix and the lemon poppy seed muffin mix baked together. My grandchildrens favorite
Muffin Mix – all flavors!!! 🙂
OH MY GOSH! MARTHA WHITE SELF-RISING CORNMEAL IS THE BEST!
I love the strawberry cheesecake muffins!
Stacie……………………………. OMYGOODNESS I need these in my life 🙂 what awesome idea. Pinning this recipe for sure.
My favorite product is the Martha White White cornmeal that I use to make my regular cornbread with.
GENIUS! Absolutely genius!!!
Looks delicious, as always!