These Honey BBQ Chicken Bites are tender, juicy, and smothered with BBQ goodness. Boneless chicken breast bites are sautéed until perfect, then tossed in sweet honey barbecue sauce; the result is out-of-this-world delicious and a super family friendly dinner!
I love chicken bites! They’re fast, easy, delicious, and always a hit with the family. I’ve shared recipes for sautéed chicken bites (like these Garlic Butter Chicken Bites) and baked chicken bites, too. I absolutely love both ways of cooking them.
Today I’m bringing you these Honey BBQ Chicken Bites, with a sweet and tangy flavor profile that reminds me of the popular Chick-Fil-A honey roasted BBQ sauce.
This boneless BBQ chicken recipe is SO simple, but don’t be fooled by the easy recipe; these honey BBQ chicken bites are so good! They’re great for lunches, dinners, or even served up as an appetizer for parties or game days. No matter how you serve them, they’re guaranteed to be a hit.
Why I LOVE this recipe!
- 20-minute recipe – This honey BBQ chicken recipe is so fast to make! Just 20 minutes including prep AND cooking time.
- Only 8 ingredients – And that’s including the salt, pepper, and oil!
- Ultra kid-friendly – Chicken bites are always a hit with the kids, and this sweet BBQ boneless chicken breast recipe is top-tier.
- Perfect for meal-prep or freezing ahead – This honey BBQ chicken recipe is such a great meal prep recipe. They keep well in the fridge for 3-4 days and reheat quick. They’re also a great freezer recipe – you can freeze them before or after cooking!
Recipe Notes
This Honey BBQ Chicken Bites recipe is as simple as promised! Just 8 ingredients for a family friendly meal.
In this section I am going to go through a few tips and tricks I use for how to make Honey BBQ Chicken Bites to get the absolute best and most delicious results.
Make sure to scroll to the bottom for the FULL recipe card.
Ingredients + Substitutions
- Chicken – You’ll need two pounds boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into one-inch, bite-size pieces. Boneless and skinless chicken thighs will work, too, if you prefer.
- Salt, pepper, paprika, & garlic powder – For seasoning the chicken bites.
- Olive oil – For sautéing the chicken bites. You can use a neutral cooking oil such as vegetable oil, if you prefer.
- BBQ sauce – You can grab your favorite BBQ sauce at the store, or make your own homemade BBQ sauce.
- Honey – For the most sticky and sweet BBQ chicken. Any honey will work; use your favorite.
Make sure to see the recipe card at the bottom of this post for the full quantities and ingredients list.
Recipe Variations
If you love this recipe as much as we do and want some quick ways to change it up for variety, these little tips will do the trick!
- Spicy Honey BBQ Chicken Bites– Start with a spicy BBQ sauce and add 1/2 teaspoon crushed red peppers to the sauce.
- Honey BBQ Chicken Breasts– This honey BBQ chicken recipe is easy to make in larger form, too! Pound out the chicken breasts or cut them in half horizontally so they’re nice and thin, then place the chicken in a single layer in the skillet and cook on each side for about 2 minutes. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and cook for 3-5 minutes until an instant-read thermometer reads 165°F. Remove from heat and proceed with the recipe as directed.
Recipe Step by Step
I am going to highlight a few key steps in the recipe here, but make sure to jump down to the recipe card for comprehensive instructions on how to make Honey BBQ Chicken Bites.
Mix the honey BBQ sauce by whisking together the BBQ sauce and honey until smooth.
Cut the chicken into bite-size pieces. Toss with salt, pepper, paprika, and garlic powder.
Heat a large skillet and add the oil. When the skillet is hot, dd the chicken. Cook without stirring until golden, then stir and cook a few more minutes.
Pour the honey BBQ sauce over the chicken bites. Stir well, until all of the chicken bites are completely coated with the honey BBQ sauce.
Recipe Tips
- For easier cutting, freeze – Place the chicken breast into the freezer for a few minutes before cutting it into bite-size pieces. Chilling it helps firm it up, which makes it easier to cut.
- Make sure the oil is hot – Let the oil heat up in the hot pan before adding the chicken. This will help the chicken develop a nice sear and help keep it from sticking to the pan.
- Use an instant-read thermometer – If you want to be extra confident that your Southern BBQ chicken bites are cooked through, use a meat thermometer! Just stick the probe into one of the larger, thicker pieces. If it reads 165°F, it’s done.
Recipe Short Cuts
If you need to make this recipe, but are extra short on time, here are a few ideas that can help make this recipe even faster!
- Prep ahead – Cut up and season the chicken and mix up the sweet BBQ chicken marinade (sauce) beforehand. Store them separately in the fridge in airtight containers for up to 3 days.
- Cook ahead – Cook the chicken and toss it in the sauce, then store your Honey BBQ Chicken Bites in an airtight container in the fridge. Warm in the microwave in 30-second increments.
- Freeze ahead – You can freeze Honey BBQ Chicken Bites before or after cooking them. See the Freezer Meal Instructions section for details.
Freezer Meal Instructions
Making this Honey BBQ Chicken Bites recipe into a freezer meal is simple! Follow the steps below and you can store this recipe in the freezer for up to 6 months.
To freeze before cooking
- Place the chicken bites in a freezer bag or freezer-safe airtight container.
- Add the seasoning and toss, then seal.
- Mix up the honey BBQ sauce and pour it into a second container.
- Label both and freeze.
- Thaw overnight in the fridge.
- Proceed with sautéing the chicken and adding the sauce as directed.
How to Freeze Honey BBQ Chicken Bites After Cooking
- Allow the cooked and sauced chicken to cool.
- Transfer to a freezer safe airtight container or freezer bag and label.
- Place in the freezer.
- Thaw overnight in the fridge.
- Warm in the microwave in 30-second increments until heated through.
What to Serve with Honey BBQ Chicken Bites
Since this protein based dinner has the delicious flavors of honey and BBQ, it will pair well with many of your favorite Southern side dishes.
Choose one or several of these side dishes to create a wholesome, well-rounded dinner. There are both classic options and some healthy options to keep it light.
Side Dish Ideas
- Homemade Buttermilk Cornbread Recipe
- Mile-High Biscuits
- Creamy Southern Coleslaw
- Crock Pot Corn on the Cob with Garlic Butter
- Baked Mac & Cheese
- Southern Squash Casserole
Honey BBQ Chicken Bites Leftovers
If you have leftovers after making this recipe, then it is your lucky day! They save and reheat well, and can make the start of another delicious dish.
To save leftovers, separate into meal sized portions and then place in an airtight container and store:
- in the refrigerator for 3-4 days
- in the freezer up to a month
Leftover Recipes
Here are a few ways to repurpose those leftovers and give them a delicious makeover!
- Honey BBQ Chicken Bowl– Warm the chicken bites and add them to a large bowl with cilantro lime rice, avocado corn salsa, fresh shredded lettuce, pickled red onions, and a drizzle of jalapeno ranch dressing.
- Honey BBQ Chicken Quesadillas– Add leftover honey BBQ chicken bites and shredded Monterey Jack cheese to a flour tortilla and top with a second tortilla. Fry in hot oil on both sides until the tortilla is crispy, the chicken is warmed through, and the cheese is melted.
- Honey BBQ Chicken Salad– Add warm leftover chicken to a bed of crisp chopped romaine lettuce. Top with grated cheddar cheese, sliced red onions, cilantro, and ranch dressing.
Recipe FAQ’s
How to make a BBQ honey sauce?
It’s easy to make honey BBQ sauce! Simply mix barbecue sauce and honey together. I like to use around four parts of BBQ sauce to one part honey, but you can use more or less honey to adjust the sweetness as you prefer.
Is this recipe similar to Tyson Honey BBQ Chicken Bites?
I consider this a healthier version of the Tyson sweet BBQ flavored boneless chicken bites. The frozen Tyson product contains breaded chicken, while my Honey BBQ Chicken Bites recipe is made without breading for a lean, gluten-free, and dairy-free option.
More EASY Chicken Recipes
If you enjoyed this recipe, I really hope you will take a moment to grab a few more easy recipes for another busy night!
You can check out all of my easy chicken recipes here, or see a few of our readers favorite recipes below.
Honey BBQ Chicken Bites
Ingredients
- 2 pounds chicken breast
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 cup bbq sauce
- 1/4 cup honey
Instructions
- Cut the chicken breast into bite-sized pieces, about 1 inch. Season the chicken with salt, pepper, paprika, and garlic powder.
- Heat a large skillet over medium high heat. Add the oil. Once hot, place the seasoned chicken in the skillet and allow to cook without stirring for 3-4 minutes. Then stir the chicken and continue to cook stirring occasionally until the chicken is cooked through, about 3-5 additional minutes. Chicken should be 165˚F internal temperature.Once done, remove the skillet from the heat.
- Mix the honey BBQ sauce up by whisking together BBQ sauce and honey until smooth.Pour the honey BBQ sauce over the chicken bites in the skillet and stir until all chicken bites are evenly coated in the sauce.
Recipe Notes
- Chicken breast: Feel free to substitute boneless, skinless chicken thighs.
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