Get ready to meet your new favorite obsession. These Sweet & Spicy Chicken Bites are incredibly delicious, ridiculously easy to make, and dangerously addictive. Each bite is a perfect explosion of flavor and texture: ultra-crispy on the outside, tender and juicy on the inside, all coated in a sticky, irresistible sauce that hits the perfect balance of sweet and heat. Whether you need a quick weeknight dinner, a crowd-pleasing appetizer for game day, or a fantastic addition to your meal prep routine, this recipe delivers every single time.
We’re talking about bite-sized pieces of chicken, coated and baked to golden-brown perfection, then tossed in a simple yet sensational glaze made from pantry staples. It’s a dish that feels gourmet but comes together with minimal effort. Say goodbye to boring chicken dinners and hello to these flavor-packed gems!
Why This Sweet & Spicy Chicken Bites Recipe is a Winner
In a world of endless chicken recipes, this one truly stands out from the crowd. It’s not just about the amazing taste; it’s about the simple, reliable method that guarantees success.
Perfectly Crispy Texture: The secret is a simple cornstarch coating that creates a light, crispy shell when baked, ensuring your chicken bites don’t get soggy in the sauce.
The Ultimate Sticky Sauce: This sauce is everything. It’s a simple combination of sweet honey, fiery sriracha, savory soy sauce, and a hint of garlic that thickens into a perfect glaze.
Incredibly Versatile: These bites are the ultimate culinary chameleon. Serve them over rice for a full meal, stick toothpicks in them for an easy party appetizer, or pile them into tacos or wraps.
Quick and Easy: With just 15 minutes of prep time, this is an ideal recipe for busy weeknights. It’s one of our favorite quick chicken dinners for a reason!
The Key Ingredients for Perfect Chicken Bites
You don’t need a long list of fancy ingredients to create incredible flavor. This recipe relies on a few powerful pantry staples to do all the heavy lifting.
That moment when crispy chicken meets the perfect sticky sauce.
For the Chicken Bites
Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts: The lean canvas for our flavors. You can also use boneless, skinless chicken thighs for an even juicier bite.
Cornstarch: The non-negotiable secret to a crispy coating that holds onto the sauce beautifully.
Avocado Oil: A neutral, high-heat oil perfect for getting the chicken golden brown.
Seasonings: A simple trio of garlic powder, paprika, and salt & pepper is all you need to season the chicken before it gets its glorious sauce.
For the Sweet & Spicy Sauce
Honey: The “sweet” in our sweet and spicy. It provides a balanced sweetness and helps create that signature sticky glaze.
Sriracha: This brings the “spicy”! Feel free to adjust the amount to match your personal heat preference.
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Soy Sauce: Use low-sodium soy sauce to control the saltiness while adding a deep, savory, umami flavor.
Rice Vinegar: Adds a touch of acidity to cut through the richness and balance the sauce.
Minced Garlic: Fresh garlic provides the best flavor, adding an aromatic depth that ties everything together.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Making these Sweet & Spicy Chicken Bites is a straightforward process. Just follow these simple steps for perfect results every time.
Preheat and Prep: Start by preheating your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup. Pat your chicken breasts dry with a paper towel and cut them into 1-inch cubes.
Coat the Chicken: In a large bowl, whisk together the cornstarch, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Add the chicken pieces and toss until every cube is evenly coated in the mixture.
Arrange on Baking Sheet: Drizzle the coated chicken with avocado oil and toss gently to combine. Spread the chicken in a single layer on your prepared baking sheet, making sure not to overcrowd the pan. This is key for crispy chicken!
Bake to Perfection: Bake for 15-20 minutes, flipping the pieces halfway through, until the chicken is golden brown, crispy, and cooked through.
Make the Sauce: While the chicken is baking, combine the honey, sriracha, soy sauce, rice vinegar, and minced garlic in a small saucepan. Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Let it bubble for 2-3 minutes, or until it has thickened slightly.
Combine and Serve: Once the chicken is cooked, transfer it to a large bowl. Pour the thickened sauce over the hot, crispy chicken and toss gently until every piece is coated in the glossy glaze. Garnish with sesame seeds and sliced green onions and serve immediately.
Pro Tips for the Crispiest, Tastiest Chicken Bites
Want to take your chicken bites from great to absolutely unforgettable? Here are a few expert tips.
Don’t Crowd the Pan: Give the chicken pieces plenty of space on the baking sheet. If they are too close together, they will steam instead of crisping up. Use two pans if necessary.
Pat the Chicken Dry: Removing excess moisture from the chicken is crucial for getting a crispy exterior.
Toss When Hot: For the best results, toss the chicken in the sauce immediately after it comes out of the oven. The heat helps the sauce cling to the chicken, creating the perfect sticky glaze.
The secret to irresistibly crispy chicken is a perfect bake and plenty of space on the pan.
Delicious Variations to Try
While this recipe is fantastic as is, it’s also a great starting point for customization.
Air Fryer Method
To make these in the air fryer, cook the coated chicken at 380°F (190°C) for 10-12 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through. Toss with the sauce and serve.
Adjusting the Heat
Love it extra spicy? Add another tablespoon of sriracha or a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce. Prefer it milder? Reduce the sriracha by half. For a completely different flavor profile, try making my famous honey bbq chicken sauce instead!
What to Serve with Your Chicken Bites
These versatile bites pair well with a wide variety of sides. For a simple and satisfying dinner, serve them over a bed of fluffy jasmine rice with a side of steamed broccoli or roasted green beans. They are also fantastic served with a side of our fluffy garlic butter dinner rolls. For a lighter meal, pile them on top of a fresh salad or use them as a protein-packed filling for lettuce wraps.
Storage, Freezing, and Reheating Instructions
These Sweet & Spicy Chicken Bites are best enjoyed fresh, but leftovers are still delicious!
To Store: Place leftover chicken in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 4 days. This makes them a great option for your weekly chicken teriyaki meal prep rotation.
To Reheat: For the best texture, reheat the chicken bites in an air fryer or oven at 350°F (175°C) for 5-7 minutes, or until heated through and re-crisped. Microwaving will work in a pinch, but they will lose their crispiness.
Freezing: I do not recommend freezing the chicken after it has been tossed in the sauce, as the texture can become soft upon reheating.
Absolutely! To make them in the air fryer, cook the coated chicken pieces at 380°F (190°C) for 10-12 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through for even cooking. Once they’re crispy and cooked, toss them in the prepared sauce.
The two most important tricks for extra crispy chicken are to not skip the cornstarch coating and to make sure you don’t overcrowd the pan. Giving the chicken pieces space allows hot air to circulate around them, making them crispy instead of steaming them.
The heat comes from the sriracha. For a milder sauce, you can reduce the sriracha to one tablespoon. For a spicier kick, feel free to add an extra tablespoon or even a pinch of red pepper flakes.
Store any leftover chicken bites in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. For the best results, reheat them in an air fryer or oven at 350°F (175°C) for 5-7 minutes to help them crisp up again.
Yes, boneless, skinless chicken thighs work wonderfully in this recipe. They are naturally juicier than breasts and will be incredibly tender. Just make sure to cut them into uniform 1-inch pieces.
More Delicious Recipes You’ll Love
If you enjoyed these chicken bites, you’ll love exploring some of our other fan-favorite appetizers and easy meals. Be sure to check out these delicious buffalo chicken sliders for your next party!
Sweet & Spicy Chicken Bites Recipe
FL Recipes
Sweet & Spicy Chicken Bites (The Only Recipe You'll Need)
These incredibly delicious Sweet & Spicy Chicken Bites feature crispy baked chicken tossed in an irresistible sticky glaze. The perfect easy appetizer or quick weeknight dinner that's ready in about 30 minutes!
1.5lbsboneless, skinless chicken breastscut into 1-inch cubes
1/2cupcornstarch
1tspgarlic powder
1/2tsppaprika
1/2tspsalt
1/4tspblack pepper
2tbspavocado oilor other high-heat oil
For the Sweet & Spicy Sauce
1/3cuphoney
2-3tbspsrirachaadjust to taste
2tbsplow-sodium soy sauce
1tbsprice vinegar
2clovesgarlicminced
For Garnish (Optional)
1tspsesame seeds
1tbspsliced green onions
Equipment
1 Baking Sheet
2 Mixing Bowls
1 Small Saucepan
Method
Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
Pat the chicken cubes dry. In a large bowl, whisk together cornstarch, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Add the chicken and toss until fully coated.
Drizzle the coated chicken with avocado oil, toss to combine, and spread in a single, even layer on the prepared baking sheet. Ensure the pieces are not touching.
Bake for 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden brown and crispy.
While the chicken bakes, combine all sauce ingredients (honey, sriracha, soy sauce, rice vinegar, minced garlic) in a small saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a simmer and cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring, until slightly thickened. Remove from heat.
Transfer the hot, baked chicken to a large bowl. Pour the sauce over the top and toss gently to coat every piece.
Garnish with sesame seeds and sliced green onions, if desired, and serve immediately.
Nutrition
Calories: 385kcalProtein: 34gFat: 12gFiber: 1g
Notes
For Crispier Chicken: Do not overcrowd the pan. Use two baking sheets if needed to ensure the chicken has space to crisp up. Spice Level: Easily adjust the amount of sriracha in the sauce to suit your preference. Start with less and add more if you like it extra spicy. Air Fryer Instructions: Cook coated chicken at 380°F (190°C) for 10-12 minutes, shaking halfway. Toss with the prepared sauce.
Keyword chicken bites,easy chicken recipe,sweet and spicy chicken
I can’t wait to see your take on these Sweet & Spicy Chicken Bites! If you make this recipe, please leave a comment and rating below. Your feedback is so helpful for me and other readers. And don’t forget to snap a photo and share it on Pinterest. Let’s get cooking!
Hi, I’m Emily Carter, and welcome to FL Recipes! I share simple, healthy recipes that make cooking easy, fun, and delicious for everyone. more about me »
