BBQ Chicken Bites

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These BBQ chicken bites are coated in a homemade maple chipotle BBQ sauce that’s sweet, smoky, and slightly spicy. Made with bite-sized pieces of chicken breast, they’re perfect as an appetizer, game day snack, or easy weeknight dinner. The homemade sauce takes these chicken bites well beyond anything you’d get from a frozen appetizer aisle.

These BBQ chicken bites were created specifically to pair with my homemade Maple Chipotle BBQ Sauce. The sweet maple syrup and smoky chipotle peppers create a sauce that coats the crispy fried chicken perfectly without overwhelming it.

Ingredients

See the recipe card for exact amounts.

• Chicken Breast: Boneless, skinless chicken breast cooks quickly and provides the perfect bite-sized pieces for frying.
• All-Purpose Flour: Forms the base of the batter and creates a crisp coating once fried.
• Baking Powder: Helps create a lighter, crispier batter.
• Salt: Seasons the batter and enhances the flavor of the chicken.
• Carbonated Water: The bubbles help create a light, airy batter that fries up crisp and golden. I prefer using carbonated water over regular water for the best texture.
• Vegetable Oil: Used for frying the chicken bites until golden brown and crisp.
• Maple Chipotle BBQ Sauce: My homemade BBQ sauce combines maple syrup and chipotle peppers for a sweet, smoky, and slightly spicy finish. It coats the fried chicken well and is what makes this recipe unique.

Tips for Making BBQ Chicken Bites

• Cut the chicken into evenly sized pieces so everything cooks at the same rate.
• Mix the batter until smooth and thick. It should be thicker than pancake batter and cling to the chicken pieces.
• Fry in batches to avoid overcrowding the pot. Too many pieces at once will lower the oil temperature.
• Use a wire rack for draining instead of paper towels to help maintain a crisp coating.
• Toss the chicken with the BBQ sauce just before serving for the best texture.

How to Make BBQ Chicken Bites

1. Cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces.
2. In a bowl, combine the dry batter ingredients.
3. Add carbonated water and mix until a thick batter forms, a bit thicker than pancake batter.
4. Heat oil in a large heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven.
5. Dip each piece of chicken into the batter, allowing any excess to drip off.
6. Fry the chicken in batches until golden brown and cooked through, about 2 to 3 minutes per side.
7. Transfer the cooked chicken to a wire rack on top of a sheet pan to drain.
8. Place the fried chicken bites in a large bowl and pour over the Maple Chipotle BBQ Sauce.
9. Toss until evenly coated and serve immediately.

Storage

These BBQ chicken bites are best served fresh while the coating is still crisp.

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Reheat in an air fryer or oven to help restore some of the crisp texture before serving. Avoid microwaving if possible, as the coating will soften.

FAQs

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