Do Share Recipe

Hot Honey Chicken Bites Recipe – Crispy, Sweet & Spicy Appetizer

The first time I made hot honey chicken bites, I didn’t expect them to be such a hit. But as soon as I served them, my family couldn’t get enough! These crispy little bites coated in a sticky, sweet, and slightly spicy sauce are ridiculously addictive.

They’re perfect for a quick dinner, easy lunch, or a fun appetizer for guests. Trust me, once you make these, you’ll be coming back to the recipe again and again. For more sweet and spicy meals, don’t miss our Hot Honey Chicken Thighs Recipe.

Ingredients You will Need

Here’s everything you need to make these incredible chicken bites.

1 kilogram chicken, boneless and skinless
1 egg white
2 tablespoons cornstarch
1 tablespoon soy sauce
2 tablespoons mirin
½ tablespoon oil
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup cornstarch
½ teaspoon baking powder
¼ teaspoon salt

For the Hot Honey Sauce

⅓ cup honey
2 tablespoons sriracha
⅓ cup rice vinegar
5 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon paprika

Note: This recipe serves 4.

Variations to Try

This recipe is wonderfully versatile. Here are some creative variations you can try to tailor it to your taste or dietary needs.

Gluten-free: Replace the flour with gluten-free all-purpose flour.
Less spicy: Reduce or skip the sriracha for a milder, kid-friendly version.
No honey? Use maple syrup for a rich, alternative sweetness.
Herby kick: Add chopped fresh thyme or chili flakes to the sauce.
Low-carb: Swap cornstarch with almond flour for a keto-friendly version.

Find inspiration for every season in our dinner recipes collection.

Cooking Time

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cooking Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes

Equipment You Need

Mixing bowls: For marinades and dry mixes.
Whisk: To evenly mix ingredients for coating.
Frying pan or wok: To fry the chicken.
Tongs: For flipping chicken bites while frying.
Paper towels: For draining excess oil.

How to Make Hot Honey Chicken Bites?

Cooking these bites is easy and so worth it! Follow these steps to ensure your chicken is golden, crispy, and perfectly coated in sauce.

Marinate the Chicken

Start by cutting the chicken into bite-sized pieces. Then, whisk together the egg white, soy sauce, mirin, cornstarch, and oil in a medium bowl. Add the chicken pieces to the mixture, ensuring they’re well-coated, and refrigerate for at least 15 minutes. If you have more time, letting it sit overnight gives the chicken even more flavor!

Prepare the Dry Mix

Combine the flour, cornstarch, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl. Take about a tablespoon of the marinade and add it to the dry mix, whisking it in to create little clumps. These clumps add texture, making the chicken extra crispy when fried.

Coat the Chicken

Take the marinated chicken pieces and one-by-one toss them in the dry mix until well-coated. This step is where the magic begins, as the mixture sticks beautifully to the chicken pieces.

Fry the Chicken

Heat 2 inches of oil in a pan or wok over medium heat. Once the oil is hot, carefully add the chicken pieces, frying them in batches to avoid overcrowding. Cook until golden and crispy, which takes about 2-3 minutes on each side. Transfer the cooked bites to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.

Make the Hot Honey Sauce

To make the sauce, heat a tablespoon of oil in a pan over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for a minute until fragrant. Stir in the honey, sriracha, rice vinegar, garlic powder, and paprika. Simmer the sauce gently for a minute or two, stirring occasionally, until it thickens slightly.

Coat the Chicken and Serve

Add the fried chicken bites to the hot honey sauce in the pan. Toss them until every bite is evenly coated. Serve immediately, garnished with a sprinkle of chili flakes or fresh parsley if desired.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe?

This recipe has plenty of reasons to become one of your go-tos!

Quick and easy: Perfect for busy weeknights.
Crowd-pleaser: Great for kids, adults, and guests.
Customizable: Easily adjust the spice or sweetness to your liking.
Texture heaven: Crispy on the outside, tender on the inside.

How to Serve Hot Honey Chicken Bites?

Serve these bites alongside dips like ranch or garlic aioli for extra zing. For a complete meal, pair them with steamed rice, Hot Honey Chicken Wraps, roasted veggies, or even a fresh salad.

When plating, drizzle some extra sauce over the top and sprinkle with crushed nuts or chili flakes for added texture and visual appeal.

Nutritional Information

Each serving is packed with flavor and nutrients.

Calories: 450
Protein: 30 g
Carbohydrates: 35 g
Fat: 18 g

Make Ahead and Storage

Hot honey chicken bites are ideal for meal prep or leftovers.

Prepare the chicken marinade ahead of time and store it in the fridge for up to 24 hours. The cooked chicken can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 3 days. To reheat, bake the chicken in the oven at 350°F for about 10 minutes to regain its crispiness. Avoid microwaving, as it can make the coating soggy.

Tips for Making the Recipe

After making this dish a few times, here are my personal tips to make it even better.

Marinate the chicken longer for maximum flavor.
Fry the chicken in batches to keep the oil temperature consistent.
Don’t overcrowd the pan; it helps the chicken crisp up beautifully.
Give the sauce time to simmer so it thickens and sticks perfectly to the bites.
For extra crunch, double-coat the chicken before frying.

Hot honey chicken bites are a game-changer for your dinner table. Whether you’re hosting a casual get-together or just treating yourself to something special, these bites deliver unbelievable flavor and texture.

You’ll love how easy they are to make, and your family will love how delicious they are to eat. Go ahead, give them a try, and watch as they quickly become a household favorite!

Ben Carraoli