Looking for a snack that’s sweet, crispy, and totally satisfying? Let me introduce you to my Honey BBQ Sesame Chicken Bites! These tasty little bites are a lighter take on the famous TGI Friday’s sesame chicken strips but with way fewer calories and all the flavor. They’re high in protein, super fun to make, and perfect after a workout or when you want a comforting meal that doesn’t feel too heavy. The crushed cornflakes add an epic crunch, and the honey-BBQ sauce? Just wow.
Method
Prep the Chicken
To start, I take one chicken breast and slice it into small, bite-sized chunks. I try to keep the pieces as even as possible so they cook uniformly. These little bites should be just the right size to pick up with a fork or pop in your mouth not too thick and not too thin.
Set Up the Dipping Station
Next, I set up a little production line with three separate bowls. In the first bowl, I pour in the plain flour. In the second bowl, I whisk one egg until it’s smooth and ready for dipping. In the third bowl, I crush up about 30g of cornflakes using my hands or the back of a spoon until they resemble coarse crumbs. Then I season the crushed cornflakes with salt, pepper, and paprika just enough to give them a bit of a kick and extra flavor.
Coat the Chicken Pieces
Now for the fun part! I dip each piece of chicken into the flour first, making sure it’s lightly coated all over. Then, I move it into the egg wash and coat it again, letting any excess drip off. Finally, I press it into the seasoned cornflake mixture, making sure the crumbs stick well on all sides. Once coated, I place each piece onto a baking tray lined with parchment paper or sprayed with cooking oil. This step helps the chicken crisp up nicely in the oven without sticking.
Bake the Chicken
I pop the tray into a preheated oven at 180°C (about 350°F) and bake the chicken bites for 18 minutes. It’s important to flip the chicken halfway through cooking around the 9-minute mark so both sides get evenly crispy and golden brown. The cornflakes really come alive in the oven, giving that crunchy texture we all love.
Make the Honey BBQ Sauce
While the chicken is baking, I work on the sauce. In a small saucepan over medium heat, I combine 40g of BBQ sauce, 30g of tomato ketchup, 15g of honey, 1 tablespoon of tomato purée, and 1 tablespoon of water. I give it a good stir to mix everything together. As the sauce starts to bubble, it thickens into a sticky glaze. I keep an eye on it and stir occasionally to prevent it from sticking or burning.
Toss and Serve
Once the chicken is done baking and looks golden and crisp, I remove it from the oven and let it sit for a minute. Then I transfer the pieces to a large bowl, pour the warm honey BBQ sauce over the top, and gently toss everything together until all the bites are coated. I sprinkle a few sesame seeds over the top for that finishing touch and they’re ready to serve!
Necessary Tools
- 3 mixing bowls
- Chopping board & knife
- Oven tray
- Baking paper or cooking spray
- Saucepan
- Tongs or a spatula
Honey BBQ Sesame Chicken Bites Crispy, Sweet & Totally Addictive!
Cuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy2
servings10
minutes18
minutes28
minutesIngredients
For the chicken bites
1 chicken breast
1 egg, whisked
30g plain flour
30g cornflakes, crushed
Seasoning (I used salt, pepper, and paprika)
Sesame seeds (for garnish)
For the honey BBQ sauce
40g BBQ sauce
30g tomato ketchup
15g honey
1 tbsp tomato purée
1 tbsp water
Directions
- Prep the chicken. First, I slice the chicken breast into small, bite-sized chunks. Not too big just enough for one perfect bite.
- Set up your dipping station. I grab three bowls. One for the flour, one for the whisked egg, and one for the crushed cornflakes mixed with salt, pepper, and paprika.
- Coat the chicken. I dip each chicken piece into the flour first, then the egg, and finally roll it around in the seasoned cornflakes until it’s nicely coated. Then I place the coated pieces onto a baking tray lined with paper or sprayed with oil.
- Bake them at 180°C (about 350°F) for 18 minutes, flipping halfway so both sides turn golden and crisp.
- Make the sauce. While they bake, I combine all the sauce ingredients in a small pan: BBQ sauce, ketchup, honey, tomato purée, and a splash of water. I stir it over medium heat until it bubbles and thickens into a sticky glaze.
- Toss and serve. Once the chicken is done, I toss it in the warm sauce, sprinkle some sesame seeds on top, and boom, snack time!
Notes
- Don’t skip crushing the cornflakes properly; big flakes might not stick well and can burn.
- Make sure the chicken is evenly sized so everything cooks at the same time.
- If your sauce gets too thick, add a tiny splash of water to loosen it.
- Let the sauce bubble, but don’t walk away, it can thicken fast and burn at the bottom.
- Always flip the chicken halfway through baking for that even golden crisp!
Serving Suggestions
- Serve these bites with a side of rice or noodles.
- Add a fresh salad or some crunchy coleslaw for balance.
- Want extra fun? Stick toothpicks in each bite and serve as party nibbles!
- Great for lunch boxes or post-gym fuel.
Fun Fact
Cornflakes were actually created as a health food in the 1800s and now they’re helping us make super crispy chicken! Who would’ve thought?
Conclusion
These Honey BBQ Sesame Chicken Bites are one of my favorite go-to recipes. They’re super easy, packed with flavor, and feel like a treat without being heavy. Whether you’re cooking for yourself, meal-prepping, or sharing with friends, this recipe is a total crowd-pleaser. Give it a go and let your taste buds dance with joy and don’t forget to tag me when you try it!
