These Sheet Pan BBQ Chicken Bites with Buttered Corn are everything I want in a weeknight dinner: sweet, savory, a little sticky, and made entirely on one pan! Juicy chicken bites get coated in a honey BBQ glaze while buttery corn with peppers and onion roasts right alongside it for a dinner that feels fun but takes barely any effort. Minimal prep, easy cleanup, and total crowd-pleaser energy!
This is a recipe that I keep in my back pocket for busy nights when I still want dinner to feel exciting. The chicken gets cut into bite-sized pieces, which means faster cooking and way more sauce coverage (always a win). And since everything cooks together on one sheet pan, there’s no juggling multiple pots while trying to keep kids from melting down over hunger!
It’s also incredibly kid-friendly without being boring. Sweet BBQ chicken, buttery corn, and colorful veggies are a combo that almost everyone can get behind. I usually serve this with nothing more than a fork and a stack of napkins, and somehow the plates always come back clean.
Why I LOVE this recipe!
- It’s truly a one-pan dinner – Protein and veggies cook together, which means fewer dishes and less cleanup at the end of the night.
- The chicken stays juicy and flavorful –A little cornstarch helps the seasoning stick and gives the chicken a tender interior with a lightly glazed exterior once the sauce goes on.
- Kid-approved, adult-loved – The honey BBQ glaze hits that sweet-savory balance that kids love, while the garlic and spices keep it interesting for grown-ups.
- Fast enough for real life – From start to finish, this dinner is on the table in about 25 minutes, including prep!
Recipe Notes
This Sheet Pan BBQ Chicken Bites with Buttered Corn recipe is as simple as promised! Bite-sized chicken cooks quickly, the sauce comes together in minutes, and the veggies roast right alongside for an easy, family-friendly dinner.
In this section I am going to go through a few tips and tricks I use for how to make sheet pan BBQ chicken bites with buttered corn to get the absolute best and most delicious results.
Make sure to scroll to the bottom for the FULL recipe card.
Ingredients + Substitutions
- Chicken (breast or thighs) – Cut into bite-sized pieces so they cook quickly and get evenly coated in the BBQ glaze!
- Olive Oil – Helps the seasoning stick to the chicken and promotes even roasting in the oven.
- Cornstarch – A small amount makes a big difference here to give the chicken a crispy edge!
- Spices (kosher salt, garlic powder, paprika, black pepper) – A simple seasoning blend that adds savory flavor without overpowering the BBQ glaze.
- BBQ Sauce – Use your favorite variety of barbecue sauce,
- Honey & Garlic – Balances the tangy BBQ sauce and creates that sticky, glossy glaze.
- Corn – I use frozen corn since it is convenient and roasts straight from the freezer. If corn is in season, feel free to cut it straight from the cob!
- Onion – Adds a mild sweetness and savory flavor! White, yellow or red onion all work.
- Red Bell Pepper – A large red bell pepper brings color, sweetness, and a little texture to the buttered corn recipe.
- Butter – Melts over the corn as it bakes, making everything rich, glossy, and extra flavorful.
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 BBQ Chicken – Add a pinch of cayenne or a splash of hot sauce to the honey BBQ glaze.
- Southwest Style – Swap the bell pepper for poblano and finish with a sprinkle of cilantro and lime juice.
- Cheesy Buttered Corn – Sprinkle shredded cheddar or pepper jack over the corn during the last few minutes of baking! Yum!
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 sheet pan BBQ chicken bites with buttered corn.
Preheat oven to 400˚F. Cut the chicken into bite sized pieces. Season the chicken with cornstarch, salt, garlic powder, paprika and pepper in a large bowl. Mix until chicken is coated.
Place chicken bites on one half of a large, rimmed, sheet pan. On the other half add the corn, onion and peppers, then mix and spread into a thin layer. Top with pats of butter.
Bake for 10 minutes.
While the chicken cooks, make the honey BBQ glaze by whisking together the bbq sauce, honey, and garlic.
Remove the baking sheet from the oven. Pour the BBQ sauce mixture over the chicken and use tongs or a spatula to toss until the chicken is coated.
Return the sheet pan to the oven for 4-6 more minutes, or until chicken is cooked through (165˚F internal temp.)
Recipe Tips
- Don’t overcrowd the pan – Spread everything into an even layer so the chicken roasts instead of steaming!
- Add the sauce halfway through – This keeps the glaze sticky and flavorful without burning.
- Use a rimmed sheet pan – The sauce gets glossy and bubbly, and you don’t want any spilling over, so I recommend using a sheet pan with a rim!
- Check doneness early – Chicken bites cook quickly, so pull them once they hit 165°F to keep them juicy!
Recipe Short Cuts
If you need to make this easy dinner recipe, but are extra short on time, here are a few ideas that can help make this recipe even faster!
- Pre-cut chicken – Use pre-diced chicken breast from the store to save prep time.
- Store-bought BBQ sauce – No shame here! If you prefer not to mix the BBQ sauce with other ingredients, just grab your favorite sauce and keep it moving.
- Frozen diced onions and peppers – They work perfectly in the corn mixture!
- Foil-lined pan – Line the sheet pan for nearly zero cleanup!
Freezer Meal Instructions
Making this sheet pan BBQ chicken bite with buttered corn 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
- Toss raw chicken with seasoning and place in a freezer-safe bag.
- Whisk together the honey BBQ glaze and store separately.
- Freeze flat. Thaw overnight before cooking and proceed as directed.
How to Freeze BBQ chicken bites with buttered corn After Cooking
- Let chicken cool completely.
- Transfer to airtight containers in meal-sized portions.
- Freeze up to 1 month for best texture.
What to Serve with Sheet Pan BBQ Chicken Bites with Buttered Corn
Since this protein-based dinner has the delicious flavors of BBQ and honey, it pairs well with many of your favorite simple 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
BBQ Chicken Bites with Buttered Corn 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!
- BBQ Chicken Rice Bowls – Serve over rice with extra corn and a drizzle of ranch.
- BBQ Chicken Quesadillas – Chop the chicken and melt into tortillas with cheese.
- Loaded BBQ Baked Potatoes – Pile chicken and corn onto baked potatoes with sour cream and scallions.
- BBQ Chicken Salad – Toss with greens, avocado, and a simple vinaigrette.
Recipe FAQ’s
Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?
Yes! You can use either chicken breast or chicken thighs here. Thighs are extra juicy and work great in this recipe.
What is the secret to tender chicken bites?
Cutting the chicken into evenly sized pieces and coating it lightly with cornstarch helps lock in moisture. Cooking it quickly at a higher temperature and avoiding overcooking also keeps the chicken juicy and tender.
How do you cook chicken in a sheet pan?
Spread the chicken in a single, even layer on a rimmed sheet pan so it roasts instead of steams. Season well, bake at a high temperature, and add sauces partway through cooking to prevent burning.
How long should I cook chicken on a sheet pan?
Bite-sized chicken pieces on a sheet pan typically cook in about 14 to 16 minutes at 400°F, depending on size. The chicken is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F!
More EASY One Pan 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 one pan recipes here, or see a few of our readers favorite recipes below.
- Sheet Pan Ranch Chicken
- BBQ Chicken Bake
- Chicken Vegetable Stir Fry with Zucchini
- Cheesy Mexican Chicken & Rice
Sheet Pan BBQ Chicken Bites with Buttered Corn
Ingredients
For the BBQ Chicken Bites
- 1.5 pounds chicken breast, or thighs
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
For the Honey BBQ Glaze
- 1/4 cup bbq sauce
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1 garlic clove, minced
For the Buttered Corn
- 2 cups frozen corn kernels
- ½ onion, finely diced
- ½ red bell pepper, finely diced
- 2 tablespoons butter, cut into pats
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400˚F.
- Cut the chicken into bite sized pieces, about ¾-1 inch in size. Season the chicken with cornstarch, salt, garlic powder, paprika and pepper. Mix until chicken is coated.
- Place the chicken bites on one half of a large, rimmed, sheet pan. On the other half add the corn, onion and peppers, then mix and spread into a thin layer. Top with pats of butter.
- Bake for 10 minutes.While the chicken cooks, make the honey BBQ glaze by whisking together the bbq sauce, honey, and garlic.
- Remove the sheet pan from the oven. Pour the BBQ sauce mixture over the chicken and use tongs or a spatula to toss until the chicken is coated.
- Return the sheet pan to the oven for 4-6 more minutes, or until chicken is cooked through (165˚F internal temp.)
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