Hey food lovers! If you’re craving something sweet, savory, and super crispy, then these Honey BBQ Crispy Chicken Bites are just what you need. They’re an easy-to-make version of the crispy chicken strips you love from TGI Fridays, but with a lighter twist! These bites are baked, not fried, and they come in at less than half the calories of a similar portion from TGI’s. Plus, they’re packed with flavor and the perfect amount of crunch. Let’s dive into how you can make this delicious dish in your own kitchen!
Method
- Prepare the Chicken
Start by cutting your chicken breast into bite-sized chunks. It’s important to keep the pieces small so they cook evenly and get nice and crispy. This step doesn’t need to be perfect, but try to keep them as uniform as possible for even cooking. Set the chicken aside once it’s chopped.
- Prepare the Coating Station
Next, set up your breading station. You’ll need three bowls for this process. In the first bowl, add the plain flour. This will be the first layer that coats your chicken. In the second bowl, whisk the egg until it’s smooth and slightly frothy. This helps the cornflake mixture stick to the chicken. In the third bowl, crush your cornflakes into small pieces. You don’t want them too fine, so aim for a rough, crumbly texture. Once the cornflakes are crushed, add the seasoning (salt, pepper, and paprika) and mix it all together. This seasoning will add flavor and a little kick to the crispy coating.
- Coat the Chicken
Take each piece of chicken and dip it first into the flour. Make sure it’s fully coated and tap off any excess flour. Then, dip the floured chicken into the egg wash, ensuring it’s completely covered. Lastly, roll the chicken piece in the cornflake mixture, pressing gently to make sure the cornflakes stick. This process ensures the chicken gets a crispy, crunchy coating when it bakes. Once all the chicken pieces are coated, arrange them in a single layer on a baking tray lined with parchment paper. This will prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.
- Bake the Chicken Bites
Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F). Once the oven is ready, place the baking tray with the coated chicken bites into the oven. Bake for about 18 minutes, flipping the chicken pieces halfway through. This flipping ensures the bites get evenly crispy on both sides. You’ll know they’re done when they’re golden brown and crispy on the outside. The internal temperature of the chicken should reach at least 75°C (165°F) for safe consumption.
- Prepare the Sauce
While the chicken is baking, you can start preparing the sauce. In a medium-sized pan, add the reduced sugar BBQ sauce, reduced sugar ketchup, honey, tomato purée, and about 50ml of water. Stir the mixture over medium heat until it begins to bubble. Continue stirring occasionally to prevent it from burning, and allow the sauce to thicken slightly. The goal is to have a rich, flavorful sauce that coats the chicken bites perfectly.
- Toss and Serve
Once the chicken is baked and golden, carefully remove the tray from the oven. Now, pour the freshly made sauce over the chicken pieces. Using a spatula or tongs, toss the chicken gently in the sauce to make sure each piece is well-coated. The warm sauce will add a sticky, sweet BBQ flavor to the crispy chicken. Serve the chicken bites immediately, hot and delicious! You can pair them with a side dish of your choice, such as a crisp salad or sweet potato fries.
Necessary Tools
- 1 sharp knife (for cutting chicken)
- 3 bowls (for flour, egg, and cornflake mixture)
- Baking tray
- Oven
- Pan (for sauce)
Honey BBQ Crispy Chicken Bites: A Sweet and Crunchy Delight!
Cuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy2
servings10
minutes18
minutes28
minutesIngredients
1 chicken breast
1 egg (whisked)
Plain flour (around 10-20g)
Cornflakes (around 20g, crushed)
Seasoning (I used salt, pepper, and paprika)
For the sauce
35g reduced sugar BBQ sauce
20g reduced sugar ketchup
1 tbsp honey
1 tbsp tomato purée
Around 50ml water
Directions
- First, cut the chicken breast into bite-sized chunks.
- Place the flour in one bowl, whisk the egg in another, and crush the cornflakes in a third bowl. Add your seasoning to the crushed cornflakes (salt, pepper, and paprika work wonders).
- Dip each chicken piece into the flour, then coat it in the egg, and finally roll it in the seasoned cornflakes. Place the coated pieces on a baking tray.
- Pop the chicken bites into the oven and bake at 180°C for 18 minutes, flipping them halfway through to ensure they’re crispy all around.
- While the chicken is baking, mix together the BBQ sauce, ketchup, honey, tomato purée, and water in a pan. Heat it over medium heat until it starts to bubble and thicken up.
- Once the chicken bites are ready, toss them in the sauce, ensuring they’re fully coated. Serve hot and enjoy!
Notes
- When crushing the cornflakes, don’t crush them too finely leave a little bit of texture for that delicious crunch!
- Make sure to flip the chicken bites halfway through baking to avoid any pieces sticking to the tray.
- If you like your chicken bites extra crispy, feel free to bake them for a few extra minutes, just keep an eye on them so they don’t burn.
Serving Suggestions
These crispy bites are perfect as a snack or as a meal. You can pair them with a fresh salad, some crunchy veggies, or even serve them with a side of sweet potato fries for the ultimate treat. They also go great with a little extra BBQ sauce on the side for dipping!
Fun Fact
Did you know that cornflakes were originally invented as a healthy breakfast cereal? Now, they’re a fun and crispy coating for all kinds of fried and baked dishes, adding an extra crunch to your meals!
Conclusion
These Honey BBQ Crispy Chicken Bites are a crowd-pleasing dish that’s both fun to make and full of flavor. Whether you’re craving a crispy snack or a main course, these bites deliver on taste and texture without the added calories. Give them a try today your taste buds will thank you!
