These bite-sized Smoky Panko Schnitzel Bites with Honey Sriracha Sauce are like crispy, smoky nuggets of deliciousness! They are super easy to make and so tasty, coated in a crunchy golden crust made with panko, smoked paprika and sesame. A warm honey-sriracha sauce is the perfect sweet-and-spicy accompaniment.
Schnitzel – pounded meat, breaded and fried – is Austrian in origin. It was traditionally made with veal (known as Wiener Schnitzel) or pork. The dish later found its way to Israel with European Jewish immigrants. Like many Jewish foods, immigrants adapted this regional dish to suit their unique dietary kosher laws. In the case of schnitzel, pork (which is treif) and veal (which was expensive and difficult to obtain) was replaced by chicken and turkey. The result is a tasty, inexpensive entree that can be found in nearly every restaurant in Israel. It’s also really fun to say. Schnitzel.
Here, I’ve turned chicken schnitzel into smoky, bite-sized treats. I used panko breadcrumbs for a lighter, Japanese-style coating mixed sesame seeds and smoked paprika. The crispy little bites are delectable on their own; a warm honey sriracha sauce takes this to a whole new level of yum.
Not into spicy sriracha? Try serving these with a warm honey barbecue sauce or honey mustard instead, both options are equally tasty.
For more schnitzel recipes, check out the following:
Panko Corn and Pepper Schnitzel
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Food Photography and Styling by Kelly Jaggers
Smoky Panko Schnitzel Bites
Ingredients
Schnitzel Ingredients
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts
- Salt and pepper
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1 1/2 teaspoons sesame seeds
- 1 1/2 teaspoons smoked paprika
- Grapeseed oil or oil with a high smoke point for frying
Honey Sriracha Sauce Ingredients
- 1/2 cup sriracha sauce
- 1 1/2 tablespoons honey
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
Instructions
To Make Schnitzel Bites
- Use a knife or kitchen shears to cut the chicken breasts into 1- or 2-inch bite sized chunks. Sprinkle lightly with salt and pepper.
- Beat together 2 eggs with 1 tsp water till fluffy. In another bowl stir together the panko breacrumbs, sesame seeds, smoked paprika and 1/4 tsp salt.
- Coating one piece at a time, dredge the chicken pieces into the beaten eggs, then coat with the panko breadcrumb mixture. Place prepared schnitzel pieces on a plate.
- Heat oil over medium until hot enough for frying. Fry the breaded chicken pieces in batches of 6. If the oil is at the correct temperature, it should bubble and sizzle evenly—no splatters or popping.
- Flip the chicken pieces when they turn dark golden brown. It will take 2-3 minutes per side for the chicken to become golden and crisp. Try to only turn them once, rather than repeatedly turning the pieces-- this will help to keep the crispy coating intact and keep them from becoming overly greasy.Place fried chicken pieces on a wire rack to drain, if you have one. This will keep the chicken as crisp as possible. Use paper towels to catch the oil drips underneath the rack. If you don’t have a wire rack, you can drain the chicken pieces on a double layer of paper towels.
To Make Honey Sriracha Sauce
- Combine sriracha, honey and salt in a small saucepan over medium low heat. Gently heat, stirring constantly, until ingredients are warmed through and thoroughly blended. Remove from heat. Serve warm.
- Serve schnitzel bites hot with warm honey sriracha sauce for dipping. Alternatively, if you are not into sriracha (it's pretty spicy), you can substitute warm honey barbecue sauce.
Nutrition
tried this recipe?
Let us know in the comments!
Note – sodium content in recipe above is due to sriracha sauce. The recipe offers a generous helping of sauce, You can use less to taste for each serving, or use an alternate dipping sauce like honey mustard to reduce salt intake.
Could this be made with tofu and egg substitute for vegans?
I would instead recommend this vegan recipe: https://toriavey.com/portobello-mushroom-schnitzel/
Love your recipes! I was raised in an Italian home made many Gramma’s recipes. I am married to a Jewish man and I like to cook many of the foods he was raised on. Love the brisket, latkes and many. He says it reminds him of his momma cooking. Love Farah’s Chicken ! Make it regularly. Thanks again Tori. Have a good holiday
Thanks for writing Marianne! Really happy you’re enjoying the site. 🙂
I gotta tell ya! Your recipes take me back to the Bronx to a lot of things I enjoyed as a kid. I’m 73 so had everything that was made by everyone directly from Europe. Thanks. Tradition, in any nationality and food is good.
Agreed Robert!
I love your recipe. I made 2 changed for my families likes/dislikes. I did not use the Sesame seeds and instead of the Sriracha sauce I used plain honey barbecue sauce.
Outta this world! The smoky paprika adds so much flavor. I didn’t make the sriracha sauce because my family’s not into super spicy stuff, but I did serve it with a honey mustard and that was the perfect accompaniment. A new regular on our family menu!