Sticky, savory, and with a crunch that you can hear, these bites are a game-day staple in our house. These Honey BBQ Chicken Bites are oven-baked rather than fried, using a seasoned cornflake coating to get that crave-worthy texture before getting tossed in a luscious homemade glaze. Ethan loves these because they are fun to eat, and I love them because they come together without a pot of hot oil. You need to make this recipe because it delivers restaurant-quality flavor with simple pantry staples in under 40 minutes.
Why You'll Love This
This recipe hits the sweet spot between a fun appetizer and a family-friendly main dish. The cornflake breading provides a superior crunch that holds up well against the sticky sauce, making it a strong contender for the title of best bbq chicken nugget you can make at home. Plus, the sauce is completely customizable-you can tweak the sweetness or tanginess exactly how you like it.
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Ingredients
These Honey BBQ Chicken Bites use everyday ingredients to create a honey barbeque chicken experience that feels special but is effortless to prep.
Check the recipe card for exact amounts and full instructions.
Main Ingredients
- Chicken Breasts: Boneless and skinless, cut into uniform pieces so they bake evenly.
- Corn Flakes: Crushed lightly to create a jagged, super-crunchy exterior that mimics fried chicken.
- BBQ Sauce: Use your favorite bottle as the base; I prefer one with a smoky flavor profile.
- Honey: Adds glossy shine and natural sweetness to balance the tangy BBQ sauce.
- Flour: The first layer of coating that ensures the egg wash and crumbs stick to the meat.
- Eggs & Milk: Creates the binding liquid for the breading process.
- Smoked Paprika & Garlic Powder: Essential spices that season the breading layer for savory depth.
Optional Extras
- Green Onions: Chopped finely for a pop of fresh color and mild onion bite on top.
- Sesame Seeds: Sprinkle these on at the end for a little extra texture and visual appeal.
How to Make Honey BBQ Chicken Bites (Step-by-Step)
This method ensures you get a crispy coating without the mess of deep-frying, offering plenty of bbq chicken ideas for how to serve them later.
Preheat and Prep Preheat your oven to 400°F (204°C) and line two large baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats. This preparation ensures the chicken won't stick and helps with easy cleanup later.
Dredge in Flour Toss the bite-sized chicken pieces in a large bowl with the flour until fully coated. The flour layer creates a dry surface that helps the egg wash adhere properly.
Set Up Breading Station Whisk the corn flakes, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika in a separate bowl; whisk the eggs and milk in a small bowl. Setting up this station keeps the breading process organized and efficient.
Dip and Roll Dip each flour-dusted chicken piece into the egg mixture, let the excess drip off, and then roll it generously in the seasoned corn flakes.
How do I keep my hands clean? Designate one hand for wet ingredients and one for dry to minimize the mess.
Bake Until Crispy Arrange the chicken on the prepared baking sheets and bake for 18 minutes, flipping them halfway through. The coating should turn golden brown and crisp while the inside cooks through.
Simmer the Glaze Simmer the BBQ sauce, honey, and ketchup in a small saucepan over medium heat for 5 minutes while whisking. The sauce will thicken slightly and become glossy.
Toss and Serve Place the baked chicken into a large bowl, pour the warm sauce over top, and gently fold to coat every piece. Serve immediately while they are warm and sticky.
Tips
Before you start these Honey BBQ Chicken Bites, here are a few tricks I've learned to ensure they come out perfectly crisp.
Line the pan → easy cleanup → sticky sauce drips won't burn onto your baking sheet.
Don't crush too fine → keeps texture varied → look for pea-sized cornflake crumbs.
Space them out → allows air circulation → ensures the coating crisps rather than steams.
Use warm sauce → coats more evenly → the glaze will cling better to the bbq chicken meals.
Pat chicken dry → helps flour stick → prevents the coating from sliding off during baking.
Follow Aliana on Pinterest →Variations
If you want a different flavor profile, you can easily swap the BBQ glaze for a spicy honey chicken version by adding Sriracha or cayenne pepper to the sauce pot. For a dairy-free option, simply use water or unsweetened almond milk in the egg wash. You can also swap the chicken breast for thighs if you prefer darker, juicier meat, though the cooking time might need a minute more.
Storage
These bites are best enjoyed fresh, but leftovers can make for a great bbq chicken dinner the next day. Store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, place them back in the oven or an air fryer at 350°F for 5-8 minutes to revive the crunch; microwaving them will make the cornflakes soggy.
Serving Suggestions
I usually serve these Honey BBQ Chicken Bites with ranch dressing for dipping and celery sticks to cut the sweetness. If you want to turn this into a full meal, they pair wonderfully with steamed broccoli and fluffy white rice. If you are looking for chicken and rice sauce ideas, the extra glaze from the pan is delicious drizzled over the grains.
FAQs
Can I make these in an air fryer?
Yes! Cook them at 380°F for 10-12 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through. This method often yields an even crispier result than the oven.
Can I use breadcrumbs instead of cornflakes?
You can, but the texture will be different. Panko breadcrumbs are the best alternative if you want to maintain a similar crunch to our honey teriyaki chicken style bites.
How do I make the sauce less sweet?
Reduce the honey to 2 tablespoons and add a splash of apple cider vinegar. This adjustment highlights the tangy notes of the BBQ sauce.
Why is my coating falling off?
This usually happens if the chicken wasn't dry enough or if the flour layer was skipped. Make sure to follow the flour-egg-cornflake order strictly.
More Recipes You'll Love
If you are a fan of these Honey BBQ Chicken Bites, check out these other crowd-pleasing Bbq Chicken Dinner options.
Tried this recipe? Tag me on Pinterest @AlianaRecipes - I'd love to see your twist on it!
Honey BBQ Chicken Bites
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (204°C) and line two large baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats. This preparation ensures the chicken won't stick and helps with easy cleanup later.
- Toss the bite-sized chicken pieces in a large bowl with the flour until fully coated. The flour layer creates a dry surface that helps the egg wash adhere properly.
- Whisk the corn flakes, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika in a separate bowl; whisk the eggs and milk in a small bowl. Setting up this station keeps the breading process organized and efficient.
- Dip each flour-dusted chicken piece into the egg mixture, let the excess drip off, and then roll it generously in the seasoned corn flakes. How do I keep my hands clean? Designate one hand for wet ingredients and one for dry to minimize the mess.
- Arrange the chicken on the prepared baking sheets and bake for 18 minutes, flipping them halfway through. The coating should turn golden brown and crisp while the inside cooks through.
- Simmer the BBQ sauce, honey, and ketchup in a small saucepan over medium heat for 5 minutes while whisking. The sauce will thicken slightly and become glossy.
- Place the baked chicken into a large bowl, pour the warm sauce over top, and gently fold to coat every piece. Serve immediately while they are warm and sticky.
Nutrition
Notes
Pairing
These are my favorite dishes to serve with Honey BBQ Chicken Bites:
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