Print

Sticky BBQ Chicken Bites with Caramelized Edges

A close-up of a pile of Sticky BBQ Chicken Bites with deeply caramelized, glossy edges served on a white plate.
Print Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

No reviews

Make easy, sticky BBQ chicken bites that develop deeply caramelized edges using a simple oven baking method.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1.5 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 cup your favorite thick BBQ sauce
  • 0.25 cup brown sugar, packed
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. In a bowl, toss the chicken pieces with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Spread the chicken in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet.
  3. Bake the chicken for 15 minutes until lightly cooked through.
  4. While the chicken bakes, prepare the glaze. In a small saucepan, combine the BBQ sauce, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, and smoked paprika. Heat over medium heat, stirring until the brown sugar dissolves and the sauce simmers lightly. Cook for 3 minutes until slightly thickened.
  5. Remove the chicken from the oven. Brush half of the BBQ glaze mixture generously over all sides of the chicken pieces.
  6. Return the chicken to the oven and bake for another 10 minutes.
  7. Remove the chicken again. Brush the remaining glaze over the bites. Increase the oven temperature to 425°F (220°C) or switch to the broiler setting (watch carefully).
  8. Bake or broil for 3 to 5 minutes, watching constantly, until the edges of the chicken are dark, sticky, and caramelized.
  9. Remove from the oven and serve immediately as an appetizer or main dish component.

Notes

  • For extra caramelization, use a sauce containing honey or molasses in addition to brown sugar.
  • If using chicken breasts, reduce the initial baking time by 3 minutes to prevent drying.
  • Serve these bites with toothpicks for easy party serving.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://kitchnkudos.com/sticky-bbq-chicken-bites-caramelized-edges/