Description
Crispy and flavorful Baked Honey BBQ Chicken Bites, coated in crunchy corn flakes and baked to perfection, then tossed in a sticky, sweet, and tangy honey BBQ sauce. Perfect as a party appetizer or a fun family dinner.
Ingredients
Chicken and Coating
- 2 pounds (907g) boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 cup (125g) all-purpose flour (spooned & leveled)
- 5 cups (140g) corn flakes cereal, crushed lightly
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 2 large eggs
- 1/4 cup (60ml) milk
Sauce
- 3/4 cup (222g) your favorite BBQ sauce (Sweet Baby Ray’s Original recommended)
- 1/4 cup (85g) honey
- 1/4 cup (68g) ketchup
Instructions
- Preheat oven and prepare baking sheets: Preheat your oven to 400°F (204°C). Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats to prevent sticking and ensure easy cleanup. Set these aside for later.
- Coat chicken with flour: Place the bite-sized chicken pieces into a large bowl. Add the all-purpose flour and stir well to evenly coat each piece. This helps the egg and coating stick better.
- Prepare coating and egg wash: In a separate large bowl, combine the crushed corn flakes, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and smoked paprika. In a small bowl, whisk together the eggs and milk to create the egg wash.
- Dip and coat chicken pieces: Dip each flour-coated chicken piece into the egg wash, letting excess drip off. Then roll each piece generously in the corn flake mixture, shaking off any excess coating. Place the coated chicken bites onto the prepared baking sheets. Repeat this process until all chicken pieces are coated.
- Bake the chicken: Bake the chicken bites in the preheated oven for 18 minutes, flipping them once about halfway through to ensure even baking and crisping. Once done, remove from oven and allow chicken to cool for 5 minutes.
- Make the honey BBQ sauce: While the chicken bakes, combine the BBQ sauce, honey, and ketchup in a small saucepan over medium heat. Cook and whisk the mixture occasionally for about 5 minutes until warmed through and well combined.
- Toss chicken in sauce: Carefully transfer the baked chicken bites into a large bowl. Pour the warm honey BBQ sauce over the chicken and gently toss to coat each piece evenly. Serve immediately while warm.
- Storage and reheating: Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week. To reheat, microwave until warmed through.
Notes
- For extra crispiness, crush corn flakes gently to maintain some texture instead of powdering them.
- You can substitute chicken thighs if preferred for juicier bites.
- Adjust the amount of honey in the sauce for sweeter or less sweet flavor.
- Ensure chicken pieces are similar in size for even cooking.
- Leftover sauce can be saved and refrigerated for up to 3 days.
