Honey BBQ Baked Chicken

Crispy baked chicken strips tossed in a sweet and tangy honey BBQ glaze—family-friendly, fuss-free, and absolutely irresistible!

I came up with this recipe on a weeknight when I was craving those sticky honey BBQ wings from our local joint—but I didn’t feel like dealing with deep frying, messy bones, or the cleanup that follows. So I thought, why not make a baked version using boneless chicken strips? I coated them in crushed corn flakes for that crunchy texture we all love, baked them until golden, and tossed them in a quick homemade honey BBQ sauce. The result? Crispy, juicy, sweet-savory chicken perfection—with zero frying and zero regrets.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Crispy, not greasy – Baked in the oven, but still insanely crunchy thanks to a clever corn flake coating.
• Kid-approved – No bones, no spice, just crispy coated chicken with a sweet BBQ glaze.
• 30-minute dinner – Simple steps and easy ingredients mean dinner’s on the table fast.

Even my sister’s super picky 7-year-old asked for seconds—without ketchup on the side. That’s a miracle in my book.

Ingredients You’ll Need

• Chicken breast – Boneless and skinless, sliced into strips or bite-sized chunks.
• Corn flakes – Crushed by hand for the best crunchy coating.
• Flour – Helps the coating stick to the chicken.
• Eggs + milk – The perfect glue for breading.
• Spices – Garlic powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper.
• BBQ sauce – Use your favorite brand for the base.
• Honey + ketchup – Sweetens and balances the BBQ sauce.

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How to Make Honey BBQ Baked Chicken

1. Prep the Chicken

Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment or foil. Cut the chicken into evenly sized strips or chunks. Toss them in a bowl with flour until lightly coated.

2. Set Up Your Breading Station

In one bowl, whisk together the eggs and milk. In a second bowl, mix crushed corn flakes with garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.

3. Bread the Chicken

Dip each floured chicken piece in the egg wash, then press it into the corn flake coating until fully covered. Place on the baking sheet, leaving space between each piece.

4. Bake Until Golden

Bake for 20–22 minutes, flipping the chicken halfway through to crisp both sides evenly. The coating should be golden and crunchy.

5. Make the Honey BBQ Sauce

While the chicken bakes, warm BBQ sauce, honey, and ketchup in a small saucepan over low heat until smooth and glossy—about 5–7 minutes.

6. Toss and Serve

Let the chicken rest for 2–3 minutes once out of the oven (this keeps the coating from getting soggy). Then drizzle or toss with the warm honey BBQ sauce. Serve immediately!

Pro Tips for Success

• Don’t skip the flour step – It’s the secret to making the egg and coating stick.
• Crush the corn flakes by hand – A rolling pin gives you perfect crunchy pieces—don’t over-pulverize them.
• Let the chicken cool slightly before saucing – This helps keep that coating crisp instead of soggy.

I once poured the sauce on too soon and ended up with soggy cereal chicken—not the vibe. Give it those few minutes!

Make It Your Own

• Add heat – Mix a dash of hot sauce or cayenne into the BBQ glaze for a spicy kick.
• Try different coatings – Panko, crushed Ritz crackers, or even pretzels make fun alternatives.
• Use thighs – Boneless, skinless chicken thighs work great and stay juicy.

What to Serve With It

This chicken goes with just about anything, but here are a few favorites:

• Creamy coleslaw
• Roasted potato wedges or sweet potato fries
• Mac and cheese
• Cornbread or biscuits
• Cucumber salad or watermelon for a summer twist

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Storage & Reheating

Leftovers? Rare—but if you do have them:

• Store: Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
• Reheat: Oven only! Bake at 350°F for 8–10 minutes to revive the crunch. Skip the microwave—trust me.

FAQs

Can I use a different cereal?
Yep! Crushed Rice Krispies or even cornmeal work well, though they’re less crunchy than corn flakes.

Is this recipe gluten-free?
Swap the flour for cornstarch and make sure your corn flakes and BBQ sauce are certified gluten-free.

Can I prep these ahead of time?
You can bread the chicken earlier in the day and store it in the fridge. Bake and toss in sauce just before serving for best results.

This Honey BBQ Baked Chicken is everything I want in a comfort food dinner—simple, crunchy, sticky-sweet, and just a little addictive. Whether you’re cooking for kids, guests, or just your own craving, this one’s a guaranteed win.

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