Get ready to meet your new favorite weeknight dinner. These Honey Butter Chicken Bites are incredibly delicious, ridiculously easy to make, and on the table in under 30 minutes. Each bite-sized piece of chicken is perfectly crispy on the outside, tender and juicy on the inside, and coated in an irresistible honey butter garlic sauce. It’s a sweet and savory combination that your whole family will crave. Whether you need a quick dinner, a party appetizer, or a simple meal prep option, this recipe is a guaranteed winner.
We’re taking simple ingredients like chicken breast, honey, and butter and transforming them into something truly special. The secret is in the technique, which ensures every single piece is golden-brown and full of flavor. Forget takeout—this is better, faster, and healthier!
Why You’ll Love This Honey Butter Chicken Bites Recipe
- Quick & Easy: This entire dish comes together in less than 30 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights.
- Simple Ingredients: You probably have most of the ingredients you need right in your pantry and fridge.
- Incredibly Flavorful: The honey butter sauce is the perfect balance of sweet, savory, and garlicky. It’s simply addictive!
- Crowd-Pleaser: From kids to adults, everyone loves these crispy chicken bites. They’re a fantastic appetizer for parties or a main course for family dinner.
- Versatile: You can easily serve these with rice, pasta, or vegetables for a complete and satisfying meal. Check out our Creamy Honey Butter Skillet Corn for a perfect side dish.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of this dish lies in its simple, high-impact ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need to gather:
For the Crispy Chicken Bites:
- Chicken Breasts: Boneless, skinless chicken breasts are ideal. Cut them into uniform 1-inch cubes for even cooking.
- Cornstarch: This is the key to getting that super crispy, light coating on the chicken.
- All-Purpose Flour: A little flour helps the cornstarch adhere and creates a sturdy crust.
- Seasonings: We’ll use a simple mix of salt, black pepper, and garlic powder to season the chicken before cooking.
- Avocado Oil: Or another high-smoke-point oil for pan-frying the chicken to golden perfection.
For the Honey Butter Sauce:
- Unsalted Butter: The rich, creamy base of our sauce.
- Honey: This adds the perfect touch of sweetness and helps create that sticky, glaze-like consistency.
- Garlic: Freshly minced garlic provides the best flavor.
- Low-Sodium Soy Sauce: Adds a savory, umami depth that balances the sweetness of the honey.
- Apple Cider Vinegar: A splash of vinegar brightens up the sauce and cuts through the richness.
How to Make Honey Butter Chicken Bites
Follow these simple steps to create the most amazing chicken bites right in your own kitchen.
- Prep the Chicken: Pat the chicken breast cubes completely dry with paper towels. This is a crucial step for achieving maximum crispiness. In a medium bowl, whisk together the cornstarch, flour, salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Add the dry chicken cubes and toss until every piece is evenly coated.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat the avocado oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Once the oil is shimmering, carefully add the chicken pieces in a single layer, ensuring not to overcrowd the pan. Cook for 3-4 minutes per side, until golden-brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside.
- Make the Sauce: Reduce the heat to medium-low. Add the unsalted butter to the same skillet and let it melt. Add the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds, until fragrant.
- Combine: Stir in the honey, soy sauce, and apple cider vinegar. Let the sauce simmer for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly, until it thickens slightly. Return the cooked chicken bites to the skillet. Gently toss to coat every piece in the glorious honey butter sauce.
- Serve: Garnish with fresh parsley or sesame seeds and serve immediately while hot and crispy.
Expert Tips for the Best Results
Want to take your honey butter chicken from great to absolutely unforgettable? Here are a few pro tips.
- Don’t Crowd the Pan: For the crispiest chicken, cook it in batches if necessary. Overcrowding the skillet will steam the chicken instead of frying it.
- Dry Your Chicken: I can’t stress this enough! Use paper towels to get the chicken pieces as dry as possible before coating them. Moisture is the enemy of crispy.
- Uniform Pieces: Cut your chicken into similar-sized 1-inch cubes to ensure they all cook at the same rate.
- Sauce Thickness: If your sauce gets too thick, you can add a tablespoon of water or chicken broth to thin it out to your desired consistency. For a thicker sauce, let it simmer a minute longer.
- For a Spicy Kick: If you like a little heat, try our Hot Honey Chicken recipe or simply add a teaspoon of sriracha or a pinch of red pepper flakes to the honey butter sauce.
What to Serve with Honey Butter Chicken
These versatile chicken bites pair wonderfully with a variety of side dishes. You can serve them over a bed of fluffy white or brown rice to soak up that delicious sauce. They are also fantastic with noodles, like in this Garlic Butter Chicken Pasta. For a lower-carb option, serve them with a side of steamed broccoli, roasted asparagus, or a fresh green salad. You can also serve them as an appetizer with toothpicks for easy grabbing!
Variations and Substitutions
- Chicken Thighs: You can easily substitute boneless, skinless chicken thighs for a richer, juicier bite.
- Make it Gluten-Free: Use a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend and tamari instead of soy sauce.
- Baking or Air Frying: For a lighter version, you can bake the coated chicken at 400°F (200°C) for 15-20 minutes or air fry at 380°F (190°C) for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through. Then, toss the cooked chicken in the sauce.
Storage and Reheating Instructions
Store leftover honey butter chicken bites in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. For the best results when reheating, use an air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for 3-5 minutes. You can also reheat them in a skillet over medium heat until warmed through. Microwaving will work, but the chicken may lose some of its crispiness.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! For a lighter version, you can bake the coated chicken. Place the pieces on a wire rack on a baking sheet and bake at 400°F (200°C) for 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway through. Then, toss the baked chicken in the prepared sauce.
Absolutely. To add a spicy kick, simply add 1-2 teaspoons of sriracha, a pinch of red pepper flakes, or a dash of your favorite hot sauce to the honey butter sauce before tossing with the chicken.
The key to extra crispy chicken is threefold: 1) Pat the chicken pieces completely dry with a paper towel before coating. 2) Use cornstarch in your coating. 3) Don’t overcrowd the pan when frying; cook in batches if needed.
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat and maintain crispiness, use an air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for 3-5 minutes or pan-fry in a skillet until warmed through. We don’t recommend the microwave as it can make the coating soft.
These chicken bites are incredibly versatile. They are delicious served over a bed of white rice, quinoa, or with noodles. For a healthier option, pair them with steamed broccoli, roasted asparagus, or a fresh green salad.
More Delicious Chicken Recipes to Try
If you loved these honey butter chicken bites, you’ll definitely enjoy exploring some of our other popular recipes. Try our Easy Black Pepper Chicken for a savory stir-fry, or our Simple Teriyaki Chicken Stir Fry for another quick and flavorful weeknight meal.
Enjoy These Honey Butter Chicken Bites!
This recipe is a true testament to how simple ingredients can create extraordinary flavor. I hope you and your loved ones enjoy these crispy, sweet, and savory Honey Butter Chicken Bites as much as I do. If you make this recipe, please leave a comment below and let me know how it turned out! For more recipe inspiration, be sure to follow us on Pinterest.
Honey Butter Chicken Bites Recipe
Honey Butter Chicken Bites: Crispy, Sweet & Savory
Ingredients
Equipment
Instructions
- Pat the chicken breast cubes completely dry with paper towels. In a medium bowl, whisk together the cornstarch, flour, salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Add the dry chicken cubes and toss until every piece is evenly coated.
- Heat the avocado oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the chicken in a single layer, working in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding. Cook for 3-4 minutes per side, until golden-brown and cooked through.
- Remove the cooked chicken from the skillet and set aside on a plate.
- Reduce the heat to medium-low. In the same skillet, melt the butter. Add the minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant, stirring constantly.
- Stir in the honey, soy sauce, and apple cider vinegar. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer and cook for 1-2 minutes, until it has thickened slightly.
- Return the crispy chicken to the skillet. Gently toss the chicken in the sauce until all pieces are well-coated. Serve immediately, garnished with fresh parsley or sesame seeds if desired.
Notes
Dry Your Chicken: Use paper towels to get the chicken pieces as dry as possible before coating them. Moisture is the enemy of crispy.
Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in an air fryer or skillet for best results.
