Easy BBQ Chicken Bites (Sticky Skillet Recipe)
These sticky BBQ Chicken Bites are coated in a sweet and tangy homemade barbecue glaze and ready in about 30 minutes! Made with tender chicken breast, your favorite BBQ sauce, and simple pantry ingredients, they’re perfect for an easy family dinner, game day snack, or party appetizer.
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These BBQ Chicken Bites are one of those easy dinners that come together quickly but taste like you spent a lot more time in the kitchen! Tender, bite-sized pieces of chicken cook in a skillet and get tossed in a sticky barbecue glaze made with BBQ sauce, honey, and a little apple cider vinegar.
The whole recipe takes about 30 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights when you need something everyone can enjoy without a lot of extra work.
Serve these sticky BBQ chicken bites over rice with a vegetable for dinner, tuck them into wraps, or put out a platter with toothpicks and extra barbecue sauce for an easy game day appetizer.
What You’ll Love About This Easy Recipe:
Sticky BBQ Chicken Bites Ingredients
You don’t need a long list of ingredients to make these sticky barbecue chicken bites. Most of the seasonings are probably already in your pantry, and your favorite bottled barbecue sauce does most of the work.
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How to Make BBQ Chicken Bites
These BBQ chicken bites cook in one skillet, so cleanup is easy, too! The trick is to brown the chicken first and add the barbecue glaze near the end so the sauce doesn’t burn.
- Cut the Chicken: Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels, then cut them into roughly 1-inch pieces. Try to keep the pieces similar in size so they cook evenly.
- Season the Chicken: In a mixing bowl, toss the chicken with cornstarch, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper until evenly coated.
- Mix the BBQ Glaze: In a separate small bowl, stir together the barbecue sauce, honey, apple cider vinegar, and Worcestershire sauce. If your BBQ sauce is already very sweet, you can skip the honey.
- Brown the Chicken: Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken in a single layer, working in batches if needed. Let it cook undisturbed for about 2 minutes before turning the pieces.
- Finish Cooking: Continue cooking for another 4–6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is browned and the thickest pieces reach an internal temperature of 165°F.
- Add the BBQ Sauce: Reduce the heat to medium-low and pour the glaze over the chicken. Stir to coat and let the sauce bubble gently for 1–2 minutes until it thickens and becomes glossy.
- Finish With Butter: Turn off the heat and stir in the butter until melted. Taste the sauce and add a little extra honey or vinegar if needed.
- Serve and Enjoy: Spoon the chicken over rice, serve it with your favorite sides, or transfer it to a platter with toothpicks for an easy appetizer.
Find the measurements and full recipe below!
For even more delicious recipes, you will like these:
Tips for the Best BBQ Chicken Bites
A few small details can make a big difference when you’re cooking bite-sized chicken.
- Pat the Chicken Dry: Removing extra moisture helps the chicken brown instead of steam.
- Cut Even Pieces: Aim for roughly 1-inch pieces so the chicken cooks at about the same rate.
- Don’t Overcrowd the Skillet: Cook in batches if necessary. Too much chicken in the pan can make it watery instead of nicely browned.
- Use a Meat Thermometer: Chicken should reach 165°F in the thickest pieces. This helps you avoid overcooking smaller pieces.
- Keep the Sauce at a Gentle Simmer: Once the BBQ glaze goes into the pan, reduce the heat so the sugars don’t burn.
- Adjust the Sweetness: Taste your bottled BBQ sauce before adding the honey. Some brands are much sweeter than others.
Can You Make BBQ Chicken Bites in the Air Fryer or Oven?
Yes! While I love the skillet method because it gives the chicken a nice browned exterior and a glossy sauce, you can also cook the chicken in the oven or air fryer.
Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Bites
Season the chicken as directed, then arrange the pieces in a single layer in your air fryer basket.
Cook at 400°F for approximately 8–12 minutes, turning or shaking halfway through, until the thickest pieces reach 165°F.
While the chicken cooks, warm the BBQ glaze separately in a small saucepan. Toss the cooked chicken with the warm glaze and finish with the butter.
Avoid coating the raw chicken in the sugary BBQ sauce before air frying, since the sauce can burn.
Oven-Baked BBQ Chicken Bites
Preheat your oven to 425°F.
Arrange the seasoned chicken pieces in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake for approximately 12–16 minutes, depending on the size of your chicken pieces, until the thickest pieces reach 165°F.
Warm the glaze separately, then toss the cooked chicken in the sauce before serving.
The oven method is especially convenient when you’re making a larger batch and don’t want to cook the chicken in several skillet batches.
Easy BBQ Chicken Bites Variations
There are a few simple ways to change the flavor depending on what your family likes.
- Honey BBQ Chicken Bites: Add a little extra honey to the glaze for a sweeter, stickier sauce.
- Spicy BBQ Chicken Bites: Mix in a pinch of cayenne pepper, red pepper flakes, or a little hot sauce.
- BBQ Chicken Thigh Bites: Swap the chicken breasts for boneless, skinless chicken thighs. They may need a little extra cooking time.
- BBQ Chicken With Vegetables: Cook sliced bell peppers or red onions first, then return them to the skillet when you add the glaze.
What to Serve With BBQ Chicken Bites
One of the reasons I love this recipe is how easily it works with whatever you already have planned for dinner.
For an easy weeknight meal, serve the chicken over steamed rice with a vegetable on the side. The extra BBQ glaze is especially good spooned over the rice!
A few other easy serving ideas include:
- Mashed Potatoes: A comforting side that works well with the sweet and tangy sauce.
- Coleslaw: Adds a cool, crunchy contrast to the sticky chicken.
- Corn on the Cob: A simple side for summer dinners and cookouts.
- Roasted Broccoli or Green Beans: Easy vegetables that round out a family dinner.
- Wraps or Sliders: Add the chicken to tortillas or small rolls with a little coleslaw for a quick lunch or casual dinner.
Serving BBQ Chicken Bites for a Party
These also make a great appetizer for game day, family gatherings, or casual parties.
Transfer the chicken to a serving platter, sprinkle with sliced green onions or parsley, and set out toothpicks so everyone can grab a few pieces.
Serve extra barbecue sauce on the side, along with celery sticks and pickles for something crunchy.
If you’re planning a larger spread, check out my football party food ideas for more easy appetizers and snacks.
Can You Make BBQ Chicken Bites Ahead of Time?
Absolutely! You can do most of the prep ahead of time to make dinner even easier.
Cut and season the chicken up to one day in advance, then keep it covered in the refrigerator. You can also mix the BBQ glaze separately and refrigerate it until you’re ready to cook.
The glaze can be prepared up to three days ahead.
When it’s time for dinner, all you need to do is cook the chicken and toss it with the sauce.
For the best texture, I recommend cooking the chicken just before serving rather than making the entire dish ahead.
Make Tomorrow’s Lunch Easier
If you’re making these for dinner, consider preparing a little extra chicken for lunch the next day.
Leftover BBQ chicken bites are great tucked into a tortilla with coleslaw, added to a rice bowl, or served over a simple salad.
It’s an easy way to get another meal out of the same recipe without starting from scratch.
How to Store and Reheat BBQ Chicken Bites
Refrigerator: Store leftover BBQ chicken bites in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days. Refrigerate within two hours of cooking.
Freezer: You can freeze the cooked chicken in a freezer-safe airtight container for up to 2 months. The glaze may lose a little of its glossy appearance after freezing, but the chicken will still reheat well.
Reheating: For the best results, warm the chicken gently in a skillet over medium-low heat with a tablespoon or two of water to loosen the sauce. Stir occasionally until the chicken reaches 165°F.
You can also reheat individual portions in the microwave using short intervals, although the chicken may be a little less tender.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you keep BBQ chicken bites from getting dry?
Cut the chicken into evenly sized pieces and avoid cooking it longer than necessary. Use an instant-read thermometer to check that the thickest pieces reach 165°F, then add the glaze and finish the recipe over lower heat.
Why do you use cornstarch on chicken bites?
Cornstarch creates a light coating that helps the chicken brown and gives the barbecue sauce something to cling to. It doesn’t create a thick, crunchy breading, but it helps give the finished chicken a better texture.
Can I use chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts?
Yes! Boneless, skinless chicken thighs work well in this recipe. Cut them into roughly 1-inch pieces and cook until they reach 165°F. They may take a minute or two longer than chicken breast pieces.
What’s the difference between BBQ chicken bites and honey BBQ chicken bites?
Honey BBQ chicken bites have a sweeter glaze because of the added honey. This recipe already includes a little honey, but you can increase it if you prefer a sweeter barbecue flavor.
Can I freeze BBQ chicken bites?
Yes. Let the cooked chicken cool promptly, then transfer it to a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat gently in a skillet.
What dipping sauces go well with BBQ chicken bites?
Extra barbecue sauce, ranch dressing, or a spicy dipping sauce all pair well with these chicken bites. If your BBQ glaze is already sweet, a tangier dipping sauce can help balance the flavor.
Can I make BBQ chicken bites with frozen chicken?
Thaw frozen chicken completely in the refrigerator before cutting and cooking it. Partially frozen chicken can release extra moisture into the skillet and may cook unevenly.
An Easy BBQ Chicken Recipe You’ll LOVE!
These sticky BBQ chicken bites are an easy way to get barbecue flavor on the table without firing up the grill. With simple ingredients, one skillet, and about 30 minutes, they’re a great recipe to keep handy for busy evenings.
Serve them over rice for dinner, add them to wraps for lunch, or put them out with toothpicks for your next game day gathering.
And if your family loves barbecue flavors, you’ll also want to try my slow cooker BBQ ribs for another easy family meal!
Sticky BBQ Chicken Bites
Tender chicken breast bites coated in a sweet and tangy barbecue glaze, cooked in one skillet.
Ingredients
Chicken
- 1½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¾ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon neutral oil
BBQ Sauce
- ½ cup barbecue sauce
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
Optional Garnishes
- Sliced green onions
- Chopped parsley
- Sesame seeds
- Extra barbecue sauce
Instructions
- Cut the chicken. Blot away the extra moisture from your chicken using a few paper towels until it’s nice and dry. This little step helps it brown beautifully when it hits the pan! Then cut it into roughly 1-inch pieces. Try to keep them similar in size so they cook at about the same pace.
- Season the chicken. In a bowl, toss the chicken with the cornstarch, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. The cornstarch makes a light coating that helps the chicken brown and gives the sauce something to cling to.
- Mix the glaze. In a small bowl, stir together the barbecue sauce, honey, apple cider vinegar, and Worcestershire sauce. Taste it now. If your sauce is already sweet, you can leave out the honey.
- Heat the skillet. Set a large skillet on the stove over medium-high heat and let it warm up while you get everything else ready. Add the oil. When it’s shimmering, add the chicken in a single layer. If your pan feels crowded, cook in two batches; crowded chicken tends to steam instead of brown.
- Cook the chicken. Let the chicken cook without moving it for about 2 minutes, then turn the pieces and continue cooking for 4–6 minutes, stirring occasionally. The pieces should be browned in spots and tender and fully cooked. Check the thickest piece with an instant-read thermometer to make sure it reached 165°F in the center.
- Add the glaze. Reduce the heat to medium-low. Pour in the barbecue mixture and stir to coat the chicken. Let it bubble gently for 1–2 minutes, stirring often. The sauce should turn glossy and cling to the bites. If it starts getting too thick, add a tablespoon of water.
- Finish with butter. Turn off the heat and stir in the butter until melted. It gives the sauce a smooth finish. Taste and add a small splash of vinegar if you want more tang, or a drizzle of honey if you want it sweeter.
- Serve. Spoon the chicken and extra sauce over rice, potatoes, or salad. Add green onions or parsley if you like.
Notes
If your barbecue sauce is already sweet, omit the honey or adjust to taste. If the glaze becomes too thick, add water one tablespoon at a time.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield: 4 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 426Total Fat: 13gSaturated Fat: 4gUnsaturated Fat: 9gCholesterol: 151mgSodium: 947mgCarbohydrates: 22gFiber: 1gSugar: 16gProtein: 53g
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Hi, I’m Brittany, and I believe life at home should feel easier, not heavier.
I’m the creator of Our Home Made Easy, a space for busy women who want dinner on the table, their homes running smoothly, and a little breathing room at the end of the day.
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