BBQ Chicken Bites
Tender chicken pieces are seasoned with a smoky rub, seared until golden, and glazed with your favorite barbecue sauce.
Ingredients
- 1 ½ lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts, 680g
- 3 tbsp high-heat cooking oil such as canola or avocado, divided, 45 ml
- 3 tbsp BBQ seasoning rub 25g
- ½ cup barbecue sauce 120 ml
Instructions
- Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels and cut them into uniform 1-inch (2.5 cm) cubes.
- In a medium bowl, combine the chicken pieces, 2 tablespoons (30 ml) of oil, and the BBQ seasoning rub. Toss until the chicken is evenly coated.
- Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or up to overnight to marinate.
- Heat the remaining 1 tablespoon (15 ml) of oil in a large skillet or on a griddle over medium-high heat.
- Carefully place the chicken in the hot pan in a single layer, making sure not to overcrowd it. Cook for 4-5 minutes without moving the pieces, allowing a golden-brown crust to form on the bottom.
- Flip the chicken pieces and cook for another 3-4 minutes until they are nearly cooked through.
- Reduce the heat to low. Pour the barbecue sauce over the chicken and stir to coat all the pieces.
- Continue to cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring, until the sauce has thickened slightly and the chicken is fully cooked. The internal temperature must reach 165°F (74°C) on an instant-read thermometer.
- Remove the skillet from the heat and serve the chicken bites right away.
Notes
For food safety, always cook chicken to a minimum internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
Using a large pan is important. If the chicken is too crowded, it will steam instead of searing, and you won't get a good crust.
If you are short on time, you can skip the marination step. The chicken will still be flavorful from the rub and sauce.
Feel free to use your favorite store-bought or homemade BBQ rub and sauce for this recipe.