Delish Baked Honey BBQ Popcorn Chicken
Okay, so imagine tiny, bite-sized pieces of chicken, coated in a crispy, crunchy hug, then drenched in a sticky, sweet, and smoky honey BBQ sauce. That, my friends, is Delish Baked Honey BBQ Popcorn Chicken. It’s basically a party in your mouth, disguised as a snack that’s *almost* healthy because it’s baked, not fried. You should totally try it because, let’s be honest, who *doesn’t* love tiny, saucy chicken bombs? Plus, it’s the perfect way to use up that last little bit of chicken lurking in the fridge before it stages a mutiny.
The other day, I attempted to make this while simultaneously mediating a fierce debate between the kids over who got the last blue crayon. My husband, bless his heart, tried to help by “organizing” the flour I was about to use, which resulted in a light dusting of white powder all over the ceiling and him looking like a confused ghost. The popcorn chicken ended up a little unevenly coated, and the BBQ sauce was applied with the precision of a toddler finger-painting, but somehow, it was still devoured faster than I could say, “Whose turn is it to clean this mess?” It’s proof that even culinary chaos can lead to deliciousness.
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Why You’ll Love This Delish Baked Honey BBQ Popcorn Chicken
* It’s popcorn chicken. Need I say more? It’s literally the grown-up (and slightly less greasy) version of a childhood dream.
* The honey BBQ sauce is so ridiculously good, you’ll want to slather it on everything. Seriously, don’t be surprised if you start eyeing your salad with it.
* It’s baked, which means you can *almost* pretend it’s healthy. Almost.
* Minimal fuss, maximum flavor. It’s the kind of recipe that whispers sweet nothings to your tastebuds and then shouts them from the rooftops.
Time-Saving Hacks
* Pre-shredded chicken from the grocery store? My current best friend. Less chopping, more admiring my handiwork.
* Use a plastic bag for the flour coating and just shake, shake, shake. Less mess, more fun. It’s practically a stress-reliever.
* If the BBQ sauce is looking a bit thick, a splash of water or even beer (if you’re feeling wild) can coax it into submission. Just don’t tell the purists.
* Don’t have time to marinate? Just dump it all in and hope for the best. Time is money, and we are all about that ROI in the kitchen.
Serving Ideas
* Serve it with a side of crunchy coleslaw to balance out the sweet and sticky goodness. Or just eat it straight from the pan while standing over the sink. Your call.
* Pair with a ridiculously cold beer if the kids drove you extra nuts today. You’ve earned it.
* For a surprisingly “healthy” vibe, serve with some steamed broccoli. It’s a lie, but a delicious one.
What to Serve It With
Tips & Mistakes
Storage Tips
Store it in the fridge… if there’s any left. Cold midnight leftovers? Sometimes better than fresh.
Variations and Substitutions
Swap whatever you want—sugar ↔ honey, soy sauce ↔ tamari, or skip steps and call it “deconstructed.” It still counts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Remember it later
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Delish Baked Honey BBQ Popcorn Chicken
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1.5 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1.5 cup buttermilk for marinating
- 1 tbsp hot sauce optional
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 0.5 cup cornstarch
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1.25 tsp kosher salt
- 0.5 tsp black pepper
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- 2 cup panko breadcrumbs
- cooking oil spray for coating rack and tops
- 0.5 cup honey
- 0.5 cup BBQ sauce use your favorite
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped optional, for garnish
- 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds optional, for garnish
Instructions
Preparation Steps
- Preheat oven to 425°F. Line 2 sheet pans with parchment and set wire racks on top. Mist racks generously with cooking spray.
- In a bowl, combine buttermilk and hot sauce. Add chicken pieces and marinate for 15 to 20 minutes while you prep the coatings.
- In a shallow dish, whisk flour, cornstarch, baking powder, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. In a second dish, beat the eggs. Add panko to a third dish.
- Drain excess buttermilk from chicken. Working in batches, dredge chicken in the flour mix, dip in egg, then coat in panko. Arrange on prepared racks and lightly mist the tops with cooking spray.
- Bake for 10 minutes, flip pieces, mist again, and bake 8 to 10 minutes more until golden and the thickest pieces reach 165°F.
- While chicken bakes, make the honey BBQ sauce: In a small saucepan over medium heat, simmer honey, BBQ sauce, apple cider vinegar, and melted butter for 3 to 4 minutes until glossy.
- Toss hot popcorn chicken with about half of the sauce to coat. Rest 2 minutes, then drizzle or serve with remaining sauce. Garnish with parsley and sesame seeds.