Easy Baked Honey BBQ Popcorn Chicken Recipe for Snack Lovers

Honey BBQ popcorn chicken brings mouthwatering excitement to casual dining with its crispy, golden exterior and tangy flavor profile.

These bite-sized morsels revamp an ordinary meal into a crave-worthy experience that sparks instant hunger.

Small pieces of tender chicken create the perfect handheld snack that feels both comforting and indulgent.

The delicate balance between sweet honey and smoky barbecue notes elevates this dish beyond typical finger food.

Professional kitchens and home cooks alike appreciate how simple ingredients can produce such remarkable results.

Crispy breading ensures each piece delivers a satisfying crunch that complements the rich, glossy sauce coating.

Weeknight dinners and game day gatherings welcome these irresistible chicken bites as a crowd-pleasing centerpiece.

Baked Honey BBQ Popcorn Chicken for Busy Days

• Crunch-Packed Texture Delight: The corn flakes coating creates an incredibly crispy exterior that shatters perfectly with each bite, delivering a satisfying crunch that elevates the entire chicken experience.
• Flavor Explosion Technique: Layering seasonings through flour dredging, egg wash, and spiced corn flake mixture ensures maximum flavor absorption, making every chicken piece burst with delicious BBQ and honey notes.
• Quick and Easy Weeknight Winner: This recipe takes just 30 minutes from start to finish, making it an ideal solution for busy families wanting a tasty meal without complicated preparation or extensive cooking skills.
• Customizable Crowd-Pleaser: The recipe allows simple ingredient swaps and adjustments, perfect for different dietary preferences and guaranteed to please both kids and adults with its sweet and savory profile.

Ingredients for Honey BBQ Popcorn Chicken

• Chicken Breasts: Tender, lean meat that provides the base for the popcorn chicken, best when fresh and boneless.

• All-Purpose Flour, Corn Flakes Cereal: Create a crispy, golden exterior that adds crunch and texture to the chicken.
• Salt, Black Pepper, Garlic Powder, Smoked Paprika: Classic seasonings that enhance the overall flavor profile with depth and warmth.

• Eggs, Milk: Help the coating stick to the chicken, ensuring a perfectly crisp and evenly covered surface.

• BBQ Sauce, Honey, Ketchup: Combine to create a sweet and tangy glaze that adds rich flavor and glossy finish to the baked chicken.

How to Make Popcorn Chicken in the Oven

Step 1: Prep the Oven

Crank up your oven to 400°F. Grab a baking sheet and line it with parchment paper or a silicone mat for hassle-free cleanup.

Step 2: Flour the Chicken

Dust chicken pieces with all-purpose flour, creating a light, even coating. Set aside while preparing the magical crunch coating.

Step 3: Create Crunchy Coating

• Crushed corn flakes
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Garlic powder
• Smoked paprika

Mix these ingredients until perfectly blended.

Step 4: Whip Up the Egg Wash

• Eggs
• Milk

Create a silky smooth mixture that’ll help the coating stick like magic.

Step 5: Coat and Roll

Dunk each flour-covered chicken piece into the egg wash, then roll generously in the seasoned corn flake mixture. Ensure every inch is covered with the crunchy goodness.

Step 6: Bake to Golden Perfection

Place coated chicken on the prepared baking sheet. Slide into the oven and bake for 18 minutes. Flip the pieces halfway through to ensure an even, crispy golden-brown exterior.

Step 7: Craft the Honey BBQ Sauce

• BBQ sauce
• Honey
• Ketchup

Simmer over medium heat for 6-7 minutes, whisking occasionally until the sauce thickens and becomes glossy.

Step 8: Final Flavor Fusion

Once chicken is baked, gently toss pieces in the honey BBQ sauce. Ensure each piece is generously coated with the sweet and tangy glaze.

Step 9: Serve and Savor

Transfer to a serving plate immediately. Watch as friends and family dive into these irresistible, crispy, saucy chicken bites!

Tips to Nail the Sweet and Tangy BBQ Flavor

• Crush Corn Flakes Thoroughly: Ensure corn flakes are finely crushed for maximum crispiness and even coating on chicken pieces.
• Maintain Consistent Chicken Size: Cut chicken into uniform bite-sized pieces to guarantee even cooking and perfectly crispy exterior.
• Pat Chicken Dry: Remove excess moisture from chicken before flouring to help the coating stick better and achieve a crunchier texture.
• Use Fresh Spices: Opt for recently purchased garlic powder and smoked paprika to maximize flavor intensity in the cornflake mixture.
• Check Internal Temperature: Use a meat thermometer to confirm chicken reaches 165°F (74°C) for safe and juicy results, preventing overcooking or dryness.

Reheat and Store Honey BBQ Popcorn Chicken Like a Pro

• Refrigerate: Transfer cooled chicken pieces to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Keep sauce separate to maintain crispiness.
• Reheat in Oven: Spread chicken on a baking sheet, cover loosely with foil, and warm at 350°F for 10-12 minutes. This method helps restore the crispy texture.
• Microwave Option: If you're in a hurry, reheat chicken for 1-2 minutes, but note that the coating might become slightly soggy compared to oven reheating.

Serve These with Your BBQ Chicken Poppers

• Pair with Zesty Coleslaw: Whip up a tangy, crunchy coleslaw that cuts through the richness of the honey BBQ chicken. The cool, crisp vegetables provide a refreshing contrast to the warm, saucy popcorn chicken.
• Serve with Crisp Craft Beer: Choose a hoppy pale ale or a light lager that complements the sweet and smoky BBQ flavors. The beer's carbonation helps cleanse the palate between bites of the crispy chicken.
• Add Southern-Style Sides: Complement the dish with classic mac and cheese or buttermilk biscuits. These comforting sides enhance the southern-inspired flavor profile and add extra indulgence to the meal.
• Cool Down with Creamy Dip: Prepare a quick ranch or blue cheese dressing for dipping. The cool, creamy sauce balances the sweet and spicy notes of the honey BBQ chicken, creating a perfect flavor harmony.

Fun Flavors to Add to Popcorn Chicken

• Spicy Sriracha Kick: Replace honey BBQ sauce with sriracha and lime juice for a fiery, tangy version that adds heat to the chicken.
• Mediterranean Herb Crunch: Swap corn flakes with panko breadcrumbs mixed with dried oregano, thyme, and crushed rosemary for a Mediterranean-inspired coating.
• Maple Mustard Fusion: Substitute honey BBQ sauce with pure maple syrup and whole grain mustard, creating a rich, sweet-savory glaze that elevates the chicken's flavor profile.
• Asian Sesame Glaze: Use soy sauce, sesame oil, and honey as the base sauce, then sprinkle toasted sesame seeds over the chicken for an umami-packed alternative.

Baked Honey BBQ Popcorn Chicken Recipe

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4.9 from 28 reviews

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Honey BBQ Popcorn Chicken delivers crispy, golden bites that dance with tangy sweetness. Crunchy chicken morsels glazed in smoky-sweet sauce promise a delightful snack you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Protein:

• 2 pounds (907 grams) boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces

Coating Ingredients:

• 1 cup (125 grams) all-purpose flour
• 5 cups (140 grams) corn flakes cereal, lightly crushed
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika

Wet Ingredients for Coating:

• 2 large eggs
• ¼ cup (60 milliliters) milk

Honey BBQ Sauce:

• ¾ cup (222 grams) favorite BBQ sauce (like Sweet Baby Ray’s Original)
• ¼ cup (85 grams) honey
• ¼ cup (68 grams) ketchup

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Instructions

1. Arrange the chicken pieces and gather all necessary equipment for a smooth cooking process.
2. Meticulously dust each chicken morsel with a light, even layer of flour, ensuring complete coverage.
3. Pulverize corn flakes into fine, uniform crumbs using a food processor or rolling pin for maximum crispness.
4. Combine crushed corn flakes with aromatic seasonings, creating a robust and flavorful coating mixture.
5. Whisk eggs and milk together until thoroughly blended, forming a silky adhesive layer for the coating.
6. Consecutively dunk each floured chicken piece into the egg mixture, then generously roll in the seasoned corn flake mixture, pressing gently to secure an even, thick crust.
7. Strategically arrange coated chicken pieces on a prepared baking sheet, maintaining slight separation to promote optimal crispiness.
8. Position the baking sheet in a preheated oven, roasting the chicken until golden brown and thoroughly cooked, rotating midway to guarantee uniform browning.
9. Simultaneously craft the honey BBQ glaze by whisking together tangy sauce ingredients in a simmering saucepan, reducing until achieving a glossy, slightly thickened consistency.
10. Remove chicken from the oven and immediately cascade with the warm, vibrant honey BBQ sauce, ensuring each piece is luxuriously coated.
11. Plate and serve the succulent, crispy chicken while piping hot, ready to delight eager taste buds.

Notes

• Customize your chicken’s crunchiness by adjusting corn flake crush size for ultimate texture variation.
• Experiment with different BBQ sauce brands to discover your signature flavor profile and personalize the dish.
• Maximize chicken juiciness by selecting boneless, skinless chicken pieces with consistent thickness for even cooking.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 490
• Sugar: 18g
• Sodium: 800mg
• Fat: 10g
• Saturated Fat: 2g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 68g
• Fiber: 2g
• Protein: 28g
• Cholesterol: 150mg