Golden. Crunchy. And baked, not fried. These Hot Honey Chicken Bites are a healthy upgrade from the widely-loved, fried chicken nuggets. Oven-baked nuggets get a bad rap but this recipe has the potential to make you think otherwise.
How to bake the perfect Hot Honey Chicken Bites
- The best part is that to make Hot Honey Chicken Bites you need chicken breasts that continue to stay juicy even after baking. Cut the breasts into bite-sized pieces. Make sure the chicken breasts are dry (pat with kitchen paper), it makes the seasoning adhere better.
- These Hot Honey Chicken Bites are flavour bombs, so it goes without saying that they must be well seasoned. Under-seasoned chicken nuggets are practically a crime.
- When you bake them, make sure your baking tray is not overcrowded. The chicken bites must be placed with space in-between them. This will allow the heat to circulate fully and result in more even browning and perfectly golden chicken chunks.
- I find that using olive oil baking spray works better than drizzling olive oil. Drizzling makes oil flow off and pool under the chicken. Spraying on the other hand, creates a fine, even coating that leaves no dry spots on the surface of the chicken.
How to make hot honey
Hot honey is perhaps one of the easiest and most versatile condiments to make. It’s as simple as warming honey and adding your choice of chillies, hot sauce and vinegar and letting it steep and infuse for a day. I’ve shared my recipe but you can make it your own and pour it over everything from eggs, chicken, fish, meat and grilled vegetables to pancakes, fritters and ice cream even.
This recipe is quick and straight forward. I serve it as a snack and also eat a bowl of this with a salad on the side for a high protein, fibre – forward meal.
Hot Honey Chicken Bites
Ingredients
- 2 large chicken breasts cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 tsp chilli powder (cayenne) or paprika
- 2 tsp garlic powder
- 2 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp dried mixed herbs
- 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper
- 50 g panko bread crumbs
- 1 egg
- 2 tbsp plain flour (maida)
- 120 ml milk
- Salt
- Olive oil ot vegetable oil cooking spray
For the hot honey
- 170 g honey
- ½ tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tsp chilli flakes
- 2 tbsp hot sauce or chilli paste such as sambal oelek
- A pinch of salt
Instructions
- Whisk together the flour, salt and all the dry seasoning ingredients. Tip in the chicken pieces and mix well so that all the pieces are evenly coated with the mixture.
- Beat the egg and milk together in a bowl, put the breadcrumbs in another wide bowl.
- Line a baking tray or sheet pan with parchment and preheat the oven to 200℃.
- Use your left hand to dunk the chicken bites into the egg mixture, one at a time . The drop it into the bowl of crumbs. Now use your (dry) right hand to coat the piece with breadcrumbs so that it's well covered. Place on the baking tray. Do this with all the remaining pieces of chicken.
- Spray the pieces with cooking spray and bake in the oven for 30 minutes till golden and crunchy.
- While the chicken bakes, make the hot honey. Gently warm the honey in a pan for a few seconds till it is runny. Switch of the heat and mix in the ACV, hot sauce, salt and chilli flakes. Taste and make any adjustments as required.
- Put the chicken in a large bowl. Drizzle the hot honey liberally over, gently toss and serve.