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Crispy Chicken Cheese Cones Recipe

4.9 from 108 reviews

Crispy Chicken Cheese Cones are a fun and delicious handheld snack featuring crispy fried chicken pieces coated in a flavorful seasoned crust, nestled inside warm, crunchy waffle cones. Topped with a spicy mayonnaise, shredded cheddar cheese, fresh lettuce, diced tomato, and cilantro, these cones offer a perfect blend of textures and flavors for a unique and satisfying treat.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken and Coating

  • 1 pound chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 2 large eggs, beaten
  • 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
  • Vegetable oil for frying

Cones and Toppings

  • 6 waffle cones
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 2 tablespoons hot sauce
  • 1 cup shredded lettuce
  • 1 small tomato, diced
  • 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro

Instructions

  1. Prepare the coating mix: In a bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, cornstarch, salt, black pepper, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder. Mix thoroughly to ensure all spices are evenly distributed.
  2. Set up coating stations: Place the beaten eggs in a separate bowl and the panko breadcrumbs in another bowl to create an assembly line for dredging the chicken pieces.
  3. Coat the chicken: Dredge the chicken pieces first in the seasoned flour mixture, then dip them into the beaten eggs, and finally coat them thoroughly with panko breadcrumbs, ensuring an even layer for maximum crispiness.
  4. Heat the oil: Pour vegetable oil into a deep pan and heat it over medium-high heat until it reaches about 350°F (175°C), suitable for deep frying.
  5. Fry the chicken: Working in batches to avoid overcrowding, fry the coated chicken pieces in the hot oil for approximately 4 to 5 minutes or until golden brown and cooked through. Remove and drain on paper towels to remove excess oil.
  6. Crisp the waffle cones: Preheat the oven to 300°F (150°C). Place the waffle cones on a baking sheet and warm them in the oven for about 2 minutes to crisp them up and enhance their texture.
  7. Prepare the spicy mayo: In a small bowl, stir together the mayonnaise and hot sauce until well combined. Spread a layer inside each warmed waffle cone to add moisture and flavor.
  8. Assemble the cones: Layer shredded lettuce into each cone, then add the crispy fried chicken pieces, sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese over the chicken, add diced tomato, and finish with chopped cilantro for freshness and color.

Notes

  • Ensure oil temperature is maintained at medium-high for proper frying to achieve a crispy crust without greasy chicken.
  • Waffle cones can be substituted with sturdy bread cones if desired, but warming them enhances crispiness.
  • Adjust the amount of hot sauce in the mayonnaise to suit your preferred spice level.
  • The chicken pieces should be bite-sized for easy eating and better coating adherence.
  • Use fresh, crisp lettuce to add crunch and balance the richness of the fried chicken and cheese.

Keywords: crispy chicken cones, fried chicken recipe, waffle cone snacks, chicken cheese cones, spicy mayo chicken, handheld chicken snack