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Baked Honey BBQ Chicken Bites

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This baked honey BBQ popcorn chicken is the ultimate appetizer or dinner, blending crunchy coating with a savory honey BBQ glaze. Made with bite-sized chicken pieces coated in spiced cornflakes, these golden bites are baked to crisp perfection. Tossed in a warm, homemade honey BBQ sauce, they deliver bold, saucy flavors. Ready in under an hour, these chicken bites are perfect for entertaining family or friends. Serve warm for guaranteed crowd-pleasing results, or prepare ahead for a stress-free meal.

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Rehan Magic House Recipes
Updated on Tue, 08 Apr 2025 21:15:06 GMT
A plate of chicken with a green vegetable. Pin it
A plate of chicken with a green vegetable. | magichouserecipes.com

This crunchy, saucy, and crowd-pleasing baked honey BBQ popcorn chicken is the easiest appetizer or bite-sized dinner you can make. The combination of crispy cornflake coating and sweet, tangy BBQ sauce creates irresistible popable bites that disappear quickly at any gathering.

I first made these for a Super Bowl party three years ago, and they've become my most requested recipe since. My nephew actually calls them "magic chicken bites" because they disappear so quickly whenever I bring them to family dinners.

Ingredients

  • All purpose flour: creates the initial coating that helps everything else stick to the chicken
  • Corn flakes cereal: provides that incredible crunch factor that stays crispy even after saucing
  • Smoked paprika: adds a subtle smoky depth that complements the BBQ sauce perfectly
  • Boneless skinless chicken breasts: stay tender and juicy inside the crunchy coating
  • Sweet Baby Rays BBQ sauce: brings the perfect balance of tang and sweetness to the sauce
  • Honey: adds natural sweetness and helps the sauce caramelize slightly on the chicken
  • Ketchup: provides thickness and tomato flavor to round out the sauce

Step-by-Step Instructions

Prepare Your Station:
Set up your breading assembly line with flour, egg mixture, and seasoned cornflake coating. Having everything organized makes the process much quicker and less messy. I recommend crushing the cornflakes just enough to make smaller pieces but not so much that they become powder.
Coat The Chicken:
Toss chicken pieces in flour until completely coated, then dip in egg wash, allowing excess to drip off before rolling in cornflake mixture. Press the cornflakes gently onto each piece to ensure good adhesion. This triple coating method ensures maximum crunch factor.
Bake To Perfection:
Arrange the coated chicken pieces on a parchment-lined baking sheet with space between each piece to allow hot air circulation. Bake at 400°F for exactly 18 minutes, flipping halfway through. The high temperature creates that crispy exterior while keeping the inside juicy.
Create The Sauce:
While the chicken bakes, combine BBQ sauce, honey and ketchup in a small saucepan. Simmer for 6-7 minutes until slightly thickened and flavors have melded. The sauce should coat the back of a spoon but still pour easily.
Sauce The Chicken:
Allow the chicken to cool for 5 minutes after baking before tossing with the warm honey BBQ sauce. This cooling period helps the coating stay crispy longer once sauced. Gently fold the chicken in the sauce rather than stirring vigorously to prevent the coating from falling off.
A bowl of chicken with sauce. Pin it
A bowl of chicken with sauce. | magichouserecipes.com

My absolute favorite part of this recipe is the textural contrast between the crunchy exterior and juicy chicken inside. I discovered this cornflake coating method from my grandmother who used it for her famous oven-fried chicken, and adapting it for these bite-sized morsels was a game changer for casual entertaining.

Make-Ahead Magic

These popcorn chicken bites can be prepped a day ahead through the coating stage and refrigerated before baking. This makes them perfect for entertaining since you can do the messy work in advance and just pop them in the oven before guests arrive. The coating actually adheres better when it has time to set in the refrigerator.

Customization Corner

The beauty of this recipe lies in its adaptability. Try buffalo sauce instead of BBQ for a spicy twist, or use panko breadcrumbs instead of cornflakes for a different texture. For gluten-free guests, substitute the all-purpose flour with rice flour and ensure your cornflakes are certified gluten-free. The basic technique remains the same regardless of your flavor variations.

Kid-Friendly Version

For younger palates that might find BBQ sauce too strong, you can reserve some of the baked chicken bites before saucing and serve them plain with ketchup or honey mustard for dipping. The plain version is still deliciously seasoned from the spices in the coating mixture. My children prefer them this way, calling them "crunchy nuggets" and requesting them weekly.

A plate of chicken wings with a dipping sauce. Pin it
A plate of chicken wings with a dipping sauce. | magichouserecipes.com

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I make this dish ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the chicken bites through the coating step and refrigerate them for up to 1 day before baking. Alternatively, freeze the baked bites and reheat them prior to serving.

→ What type of BBQ sauce works best?

Any BBQ sauce you enjoy will work. Sweet Baby Ray’s Original is a recommended choice for its robust flavor.

→ Can I bake instead of frying?

Yes, the chicken bites are baked rather than fried, resulting in a healthier yet equally crispy coating.

→ How should I store leftovers?

Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. Reheat gently in the microwave until warmed through before serving.

→ Can I skip the honey BBQ glaze?

Yes, you can serve the popcorn chicken plain by adding extra seasoning to the cornflake mixture and skipping the glaze step.

Baked Honey BBQ Popcorn Chicken

Crunchy and flavorful honey BBQ chicken bites baked to perfection.

Prep Time
30 Minutes
Cook Time
25 Minutes
Total Time
55 Minutes
By: Reham


Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: American

Yield: 8 Servings (bite-sized chicken pieces)

Dietary: ~

Ingredients

→ Chicken and Coating

01 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
02 1 cup (125g) all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
03 5 cups (140g) corn flakes cereal, crushed lightly
04 1/2 teaspoon salt
05 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
06 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
07 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
08 2 large eggs
09 1/4 cup (60ml) milk

→ Honey BBQ Sauce

10 3/4 cup (222g) BBQ sauce (e.g., Sweet Baby Rays Original)
11 1/4 cup (85g) honey
12 1/4 cup (68g) ketchup

Instructions

Step 01

Preheat oven to 400°F (204°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. Set aside.

Step 02

Place the bite-sized pieces of chicken in a large bowl. Add the all-purpose flour and stir to coat each piece. Set aside.

Step 03

In a large bowl, combine crushed corn flakes, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and smoked paprika. In a small bowl, whisk together eggs and milk. Set both bowls aside.

Step 04

Dip each piece of floured chicken into the egg mixture, letting any excess drip off. Roll it generously in the cornflake mixture, shaking off any excess. Place onto the prepared baking sheet. Repeat with all chicken bites.

Step 05

Bake the coated chicken for 18 minutes, flipping each piece once at the 9-10 minute mark. Set aside to cool for 5 minutes.

Step 06

In a small saucepan, combine BBQ sauce, honey, and ketchup. Heat over medium heat, whisking occasionally, for 6-7 minutes until warm and smooth.

Step 07

Place the baked chicken bites into a large bowl. Pour the warm honey BBQ sauce over the top and gently stir to coat all pieces. Serve warm.

Notes

  1. Leftover chicken can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. Reheat in the microwave until warmed through.
  2. The popcorn chicken can be frozen before adding the honey BBQ sauce. Reheat in a 350°F (177°C) oven for 20 minutes or until warmed through.
  3. For plain popcorn chicken, skip the honey BBQ sauce and add extra seasoning to the cornflake mixture.

Tools You'll Need

  • Large baking sheet
  • Silicone baking mat or parchment paper
  • Large bowl
  • Small bowl
  • Whisk
  • Small saucepan

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Contains gluten from all-purpose flour
  • Contains eggs
  • May contain allergens based on BBQ sauce ingredients

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: ~
  • Total Fat: ~
  • Total Carbohydrate: ~
  • Protein: ~