Kid's Boneless Wings Recipe

Prepare chicken

Trim any fat from the chicken breasts and cut into bite-sized, 1-inch cubes (about 18–24 pieces). Pat dry with paper towels.

Marinate

Place the chicken cubes into a bowl and pour the buttermilk over them. Toss to coat, cover, and refrigerate for at least 15 minutes (up to 1 hour). This tenderizes and slightly flavors the chicken for a kid-friendly result.

Make coating

In a shallow bowl or plate, whisk together the all-purpose flour, cornstarch, 1/2 tsp kosher salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and paprika until evenly combined.

Dredge

Remove chicken from buttermilk, letting excess drip off. One piece at a time, dredge chicken in the flour mixture, pressing lightly so the coating adheres. Place coated pieces on a plate and let rest 5 minutes to set the crust.

Heat oil & fry

Pour vegetable oil into a medium sauté pan to a depth of about 1/2 inch (approximately 1 cup). Heat over medium-high until oil reaches 350°F (175°C) or a small piece of bread sizzles immediately. Working in a single layer and not overcrowding, fry the coated chicken pieces 3–4 minutes, turning occasionally, until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Transfer to a paper towel–lined plate to drain.

Toss in sauce

In a small bowl, combine the mild wing sauce and melted butter. Add the drained chicken pieces and gently toss until each piece is lightly coated. For children who prefer plain, reserve some pieces before tossing.

Cook fries

Cook the frozen fries according to package directions for oven or air-fryer. If pan-frying: heat 1 tablespoon vegetable oil in a nonstick skillet over medium-high, add the frozen fries in a single layer, and cook 6–8 minutes, turning occasionally, until crisp and golden. For oven: bake at 425°F (220°C) for 12–18 minutes, turning once. For air fryer: 400°F (200°C) for 8–12 minutes. Adjust time for crispness.

Season

Immediately after cooking, transfer fries to a bowl or plate, sprinkle with 1/4 tsp kosher salt, and toss gently to distribute.

Place the sauced boneless wings in a small kid’s portion bowl or plate alongside the fries. Serve with ranch dressing or ketchup for dipping and an optional lemon wedge. Let cool briefly before serving to children.