Crispy Honey BBQ Popcorn Chicken Recipe for Snack Lovers

Crispy, golden chicken pieces coated in a sticky honey BBQ popcorn chicken recipe will make your taste buds dance with excitement.

These bite-sized morsels pack a serious flavor punch that beats boring dinner routines.

The perfect blend of sweet and tangy sauce creates an irresistible coating for tender chicken chunks.

Every piece comes out perfectly crunchy, with a glossy shine that tempts you from the first glance.

Weeknight dinners just got a major upgrade with this simple yet spectacular dish.

The recipe works magic for both casual meals and game day gatherings.

Dive into these delectable chicken bites and get ready to become the star of any mealtime.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 24 minutes

Total Time: 44 minutes

Calories: 487 kcal

Servings: 7

Shopping List for Baked Honey BBQ Popcorn Chicken

• All-Purpose Flour: Creates a smooth, even base for the crispy coating that helps the breading stick perfectly to chicken pieces.
• Corn Flakes Cereal: Provides an irresistibly crunchy exterior with golden-brown texture that adds exciting crunch to each bite.
• Salt, Black Pepper, Garlic Powder, Smoked Paprika: Harmonize to deliver a complex, savory flavor profile that elevates the chicken's taste.

• Eggs, Milk: Work together as a magical glue, helping the seasoned coating adhere seamlessly to the chicken while adding richness and depth.

• BBQ Sauce, Honey, Ketchup: Create a luscious, sticky-sweet coating that balances tangy and sweet notes, transforming simple chicken into a mouthwatering dish that'll have everyone asking for seconds.

Baking Gear for Baked Honey BBQ Popcorn Chicken

• Baking Sheet: Large, lined with parchment paper or silicone mat for easy cooking and cleanup.
• Large Bowl: For mixing crushed corn flakes and seasonings.
• Small Bowl: Used for creating egg wash mixture.
• Whisk: Essential for blending eggs and milk smoothly.
• Mixing Spoon or Spatula: To combine BBQ sauce ingredients and toss chicken.
• Saucepan: For heating and mixing honey BBQ sauce.
• Sharp Knife: To cut chicken into bite-sized pieces.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: For accurate ingredient measurements.
• Cutting Board: To prepare and slice chicken safely.

Cooking Sequence for Baked Honey BBQ Popcorn Chicken

• Chicken Preparation

Grab fresh chicken pieces and get ready for a flavor adventure that’ll make your taste buds dance.

• Crispy Coating Creation

Crush corn flakes into satisfying crumbs and mix with zesty seasonings that’ll add a punch of excitement to your meal.

• Egg Bath Magic

Dunk chicken pieces into a silky egg mixture that helps the crunchy coating stick like best friends.

• Golden Transformation

Arrange chicken on a baking sheet and send them into a hot oven where they’ll turn into crispy, golden delights.

• Saucy Finishing Touch

Whip up a tangy honey BBQ sauce that’ll coat your chicken with a glossy, mouthwatering glaze right before serving.

• Flavor Explosion

Pull out perfectly crisp chicken and drench them in the sweet and smoky sauce that’ll make everyone at the table cheer.

Flavor Upgrades for Baked Honey BBQ Popcorn Chicken

• Crispy Coating Crunch: Experiment with different cereals like Rice Krispies or crushed Ritz crackers for a unique texture that adds extra crunch to your chicken.
• Spice Level Adventures: Add a kick by mixing cayenne pepper or hot sauce into the cornflake coating for those who love a spicy twist on classic BBQ chicken.
• Dipping Sauce Delights: Create alternative dipping sauces like ranch, blue cheese, or sriracha mayo to give diners multiple flavor options beyond the honey BBQ sauce.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the chicken pieces and coating mixture in advance, storing them separately in the refrigerator. This trick saves time when you're ready to bake and helps busy cooks plan ahead for quick meals.
• Healthier Hack Option: Swap regular flour with almond flour or gluten-free flour blend to make the recipe more diet-friendly for those with specific nutritional needs or preferences.

Serving Suggestions for Baked Honey BBQ Popcorn Chicken

• Diner-Style Platter Presentation: Arrange the saucy popcorn chicken on a large wooden board with small ramekins of extra honey BBQ sauce for dipping. Create a casual, restaurant-inspired spread that invites guests to dig in and share.
• Picnic Perfect Pairing: Pack these crispy chicken bites in a portable container for outdoor gatherings. Complement them with coleslaw, potato salad, and a few pickle spears for a complete summer meal that travels well and tastes amazing.
• Game Day Crowd-Pleaser: Serve the honey BBQ popcorn chicken on a big platter surrounded by crispy french fries, sliced green onions, and ranch dressing. This setup creates an irresistible spread perfect for watching sports or hosting a casual get-together with friends.
• Family-Style Comfort Meal: Create a relaxed dinner experience by placing the popcorn chicken in a large central dish, allowing everyone to grab pieces directly. Add some quick side dishes like corn on the cob, mac and cheese, or a fresh green salad to round out the meal.

Storage Plan for Baked Honey BBQ Popcorn Chicken

• Smart Storage Solutions
• – Refrigerator Refresh: Store leftover chicken in an airtight container for 3-4 days. Keep the sauce separate to maintain crispiness and prevent soggy texture.
• – Freezer Friendly Hack: Wrap individual chicken pieces in plastic wrap, then place in freezer bags. Freeze up to 2 months for quick future meals. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
• – Crispy Reheating Trick: Restore crunchiness by warming chicken in a preheated oven at 375°F for 10-12 minutes. Avoid microwave to prevent soft, rubbery texture.
• – Sauce Storage Tip: Keep extra honey BBQ sauce in a sealed glass jar in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. Perfect for quick dipping or future recipe variations.

Crispy Honey BBQ Popcorn Chicken Recipe

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4.6 from 29 reviews

• Total Time: 44 minutes
• Yield: 7 1x

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Description

Homemade honey BBQ popcorn chicken delivers crispy, golden-brown comfort with irresistible flavor. Seasoned breading and sweet-tangy glaze make this dish a crowd-pleasing favorite you can easily recreate at home.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 2 lbs (907 g) boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 5 cups (140 g) corn flakes cereal, lightly crushed
• 1 cup (125 g) all-purpose flour
• 2 large eggs
• ¼ cup (60 ml) milk
• ¾ cup (222 g) BBQ sauce (like Sweet Baby Ray’s Original)
• ¼ cup (85 g) honey
• ¼ cup (68 g) ketchup
• ½ tsp salt
• ½ tsp freshly ground black pepper
• ½ tsp garlic powder
• ¼ tsp smoked paprika

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Gather all ingredients and equipment, ensuring a smooth cooking workflow.
2. Flour Coating: Delicately coat chicken pieces with a uniform flour layer, covering every surface completely.
3. Corn Flake Transformation: Pulverize corn flakes into fine, consistent crumbs using a food processor or rolling pin for maximum texture.
4. Seasoning Fusion: Blend crushed corn flakes with robust seasonings to create a flavor-packed coating mixture.
5. Egg Wash Creation: Thoroughly whisk eggs and milk into a silky binding agent for the crispy exterior.
6. Coating Process: Dip each floured chicken piece into the egg mixture, then meticulously roll in the seasoned corn flake mixture, pressing firmly to ensure a thick, even crust.
7. Baking Arrangement: Carefully position coated chicken on a prepared baking sheet, allowing slight spacing for optimal crispiness and even cooking.
8. Oven Roasting: Bake in a preheated oven at 400°F, rotating midway to achieve a golden-brown exterior and ensure complete internal cooking, approximately 25-30 minutes.
9. Honey BBQ Glaze Preparation: Simultaneously craft a glossy sauce by simmering honey BBQ ingredients in a saucepan, reducing until achieving a luxurious, slightly thickened consistency.
10. Final Touch: Remove chicken from the oven and immediately cascade with the warm, vibrant honey BBQ sauce, thoroughly coating each piece for maximum flavor infusion.
11. Serving: Present the crispy, glazed chicken immediately, guaranteeing a mouthwatering culinary experience with perfect temperature and texture.

Notes

• Prep Like a Pro: Gather all equipment and ingredients beforehand to streamline the cooking process and prevent last-minute scrambling.
• Flour Power: Dust chicken evenly with flour, creating a crucial base layer that helps the coating adhere perfectly and ensures maximum crispiness.
• Crumb Crush Technique: Pulse corn flakes into fine, uniform crumbs using a food processor or rolling pin to guarantee an extra-crunchy exterior.
• Coating Mastery: Press seasoned corn flake mixture firmly onto chicken pieces, ensuring a thick, even crust that locks in moisture and delivers incredible texture.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 24 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 7
• Calories: 487
• Sugar: 10 g
• Sodium: 850 mg
• Fat: 14 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 62 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 30 g
• Cholesterol: 122 mg