Hot Honey Chicken Bites are a delicious and visually appealing dish that combines crispy, breaded chicken bites with a sweet and spicy hot honey sauce. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner, a casual gathering, or even a game-day snack, these chicken bites offer a delightful blend of flavors and textures.
Why These Hot Honey Chicken Bites Are the Best
Crispy Exterior: The chicken bites are fried to a perfect golden-brown, providing a satisfying crunch with every bite.
Sweet and Spicy Sauce: The hot honey sauce offers a delightful balance of sweetness and heat, making each bite flavorful and exciting.
Juicy Interior: The chicken remains tender and juicy inside, creating a delicious contrast to the crispy coating.
Beautiful Presentation: Garnished with fresh green beans and a drizzle of hot honey sauce, the dish looks as good as it tastes, making it perfect for any occasion.
Perfect for Any Occasion
Whether you’re hosting a party, preparing a family dinner, or looking for a delicious snack, Hot Honey Chicken Bites are the perfect choice. The combination of crispy chicken and flavorful sauce makes it a crowd-pleaser that everyone will enjoy.
Ingredient Notes
For the Chicken:
- Chicken Tenders or Breasts (cut into strips): The base of the dish, offering juicy and tender bites that crisp up beautifully.
- Crushed Cornflakes: Create a crispy, golden crust that adds crunch to every bite.
- Cornstarch: Helps achieve an extra-light, crispy texture by coating the chicken before baking or frying.
- Large Eggs: Bind the coating to the chicken, ensuring an even, crunchy layer.
- Garlic Powder & Onion Powder: Add savory depth and enhance the flavor of the chicken.
- Smoked Paprika: Brings a subtle smoky warmth that complements the sweetness of the honey.
- Salt & Black Pepper: Balance the flavors and season the chicken perfectly.
- Avocado Oil Spray: Ensures an even, golden-brown crispness without excessive oil.
For the Hot Honey:
- Honey: The key ingredient, providing a natural sweetness that pairs perfectly with the spice.
- Hot Sauce (adjust to taste): Adds heat and tang, balancing the honey’s sweetness.
- Cayenne Pepper: Enhances the spice level, giving the sauce a slow-building heat.
- Garlic Powder & Onion Powder: Add depth and savoriness to the hot honey.
- Red Pepper Flakes (optional): Intensifies the spice for those who love extra heat.
Tips for Making the Best Hot Honey Chicken Bites
Use Fresh Ingredients: For the best flavor and texture, use fresh chicken and high-quality hot honey sauce.
Coat Evenly: Ensure the chicken pieces are evenly coated with breading for a uniform crispy exterior.
Fry Until Golden-Brown: Fry the chicken until it reaches a perfect golden-brown color for the best crunch.
Toss in Sauce: Toss the fried chicken in the hot honey sauce while it’s still hot to ensure it’s evenly coated.
Garnish with Fresh Herbs: Top the chicken with fresh herbs for added flavor and visual appeal.
Serving Suggestions
With Green Beans: Serve Hot Honey Chicken Bites with a side of fresh green beans for added color and nutrition.
With Dipping Sauce: Serve with a variety of dipping sauces, such as ranch or blue cheese dressing.
With Fries: Pair with crispy fries for a classic combination.
With Celery and Carrot Sticks: Include celery and carrot sticks for a refreshing contrast.
With a Refreshing Drink: Enjoy with a cold drink like iced tea or lemonade to complement the flavors.
A Must Try
Imagine biting into these Hot Honey Chicken Bites—each bite offering a perfect blend of crispy coating, tender chicken, and sweet and spicy sauce, all garnished with fresh herbs and served with green beans. Whether you’re sharing it with family and friends or enjoying it on your own, this dish is sure to become a favorite in your home. Gather your ingredients and create this delightful dish to impress your loved ones and make any occasion special!
Be sure to check out these other delicious dinner recipes!
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Teriyaki Chicken Fried Rice
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Thai Chicken Lettuce Wraps
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Crunchy Honey Buffalo Chicken
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Lemon Rosemary Chicken Meatballs
Hot Honey Chicken Bites
Ingredients
For the Chicken:
- 1 ½ lbs chicken tenders or breasts cut into strips
- 2 cups crushed cornflakes
- ½ cup cornstarch
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- Avocado oil spray
For the Hot Honey:
- ½ cup honey
- 2 tablespoon hot sauce adjust to taste
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes optional
Instructions
Prep and Coating:
- Preheat your oven to 425°F and line a baking sheet with a wire rack to ensure even crisping.
Set up three separate bowls:
- Bowl 1: ½ cup cornstarch for a light, crispy coating.
- Bowl 2: 2 eggs, whisked until smooth.
- Bowl 3: 2 cups crushed cornflakes mixed with 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon onion powder, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, 1 teaspoon salt, and ½ teaspoon black pepper for a flavorful crunch.
- Pat 1 ½ lbs of chicken tenders dry to help the coating adhere. Dredge each tender in cornstarch, dip into the egg, and then press firmly into the seasoned cornflake mixture, ensuring a thick, even coating. Arrange the breaded tenders on the prepared wire rack.
Bake to Perfection:
- Lightly mist the chicken with avocado oil spray for extra crispiness. Bake for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden brown and cooked to an internal temperature of 165°F. For an extra-crunchy finish, broil on low for a few minutes until perfectly crisp.
Make the Hot Honey Glaze:
- In a small saucepan over low heat, combine:
- ½ cup honey
- 2-3 tablespoons hot sauce (adjust for spice preference)
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for extra heat)
- Stir until smooth and warmed through, allowing the flavors to meld beautifully.
Finish and Serve:
- Drizzle the spicy honey glaze over the crispy tenders or toss them gently for full coverage. Serve warm, and enjoy the perfect balance of sweet, smoky, and spicy crunch!