Hot Honey Chipotle Chicken Bites
If you love bold flavors with a perfect balance of heat, smokiness, and a touch of sweetness, these Hot Honey Chipotle Chicken Bites are just what you need! Marinated in a smoky chipotle and hot honey mixture, these juicy chicken bites are incredibly versatile and can be used in tacos, bowls, salads, wraps, or even served on their own with your favorite dipping sauce.
Imagine them in a salad with this Creamy Tomatillo Buttermilk Ranch, or in a burrito bowl with this Cilantro Lime Rice and Easy Guacamole! The possibilities are endless.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Bold & Smoky – Chipotle chilies and adobo sauce create a deep, smoky heat that pairs perfectly with a touch of hot honey. Serious match made in heaven vibes.
- Versatile – Serve these chicken bites in tacos, burrito bowls, wraps, or salads for an easy, flavor-packed meal.
- Easy to Cook – Whether you prefer stovetop, grilling, baking, or air frying, there’s a cooking method to fit your style, and time. This is seriously the most versatile recipe.
- Meal Prep Friendly – Make a batch ahead of time and enjoy throughout the week! And never feel like you are eating the same thing over and over, because you can eat it as nachos, salads, burritos, bowls, and more.
What You Need
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 3 tablespoons lime juice
- 3 chipotle chilies in adobo sauce, finely chopped
- 1 ½ tablespoons adobo sauce
- 1 tablespoon hot honey
- ½ tablespoon minced garlic
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- 1 ½ pounds chicken breast, trimmed and cut into bite-sized pieces
Instructions
1. Prepare the Marinade
In a bowl or blender, combine olive oil, lime juice, chopped chipotle chilies, adobo sauce, hot honey, minced garlic, and salt. Blend or whisk until well combined.
2. Marinate the Chicken
Place the chicken pieces in a large bowl or resealable bag. Pour the marinade over the chicken and toss to coat evenly. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or for best flavor, overnight.
3. Cook the Chicken
Choose your preferred cooking method:
Stovetop
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add the marinated chicken (discard excess marinade) and cook for 6-8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until browned and cooked through (internal temperature of 165°F).
Grill
- Preheat the grill to medium-high heat.
- Thread chicken onto skewers or place directly on the grates in a grill basket.
- Grill for 4-5 minutes per side, until fully cooked.
Oven
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Spread chicken pieces on a lined baking sheet and bake for 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway through.
Air Fryer (For a crispy exterior!)
- Preheat the air fryer to 375°F.
- Remove the chicken from the marinade.
- Air fry for 12-15 minutes, flipping halfway, until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Let rest for 5 minutes, then serve.
How to Serve Hot Honey Chipotle Chicken Bites
This flavorful chicken pairs well with many dishes! Here are some ideas:
- Tacos – Serve in warm tortillas with avocado, salsa, and fresh cilantro.
- Burrito Bowls – Add to a bowl with rice, black beans, corn, and toppings.
- Salads – Toss over greens with a tangy dressing like this Chipotle Ranch.
- Wraps – Roll into a wrap with lettuce, cheese, and creamy sauce.
- Rice Bowls – Serve over steamed rice (or Mexican Rice), with lime wedges and cotija cheese. Try adding Black Beans, Guacamole, etc. to make it even more fun.
Pro Tips for the Best Results
- Marinate Longer for More Flavor – Letting the chicken marinate overnight enhances the smoky and spicy flavors.
- Don’t Overcrowd the Pan – If cooking on the stovetop or in the air fryer, cook in batches to ensure even browning.
- Use Fresh Lime Juice – It brightens the dish and balances the spice.
- Adjust the Heat – Add more hot honey for a sweeter kick or extra chipotle for more spice.
- Finish it– I love a little extra drizzle of hot honey, and some fresh cilantro to brighten and finish these chicken bites.
These Hot Honey Chipotle Chicken Bites are packed with flavor and so easy to make! Whether you enjoy them fresh or meal prep for the week, they’ll quickly become a go-to in your kitchen. Try them in tacos, wraps, or bowls and enjoy the smoky, spicy, and slightly sweet goodness!
Hot Honey Chipotle Chicken Bites
Ingredients
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 3 tablespoons lime juice
- 3 chipotle chilies in adobo sauce finely chopped
- 1 ½ tablespoons adobo sauce
- 1 tablespoon hot honey
- ½ tablespoon minced garlic
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- 1 ½ pounds chicken breast trimmed and cut into bite-sized pieces
Garnish
- hot honey
- fresh cilantro
Instructions
Prepare the Marinade
- In a bowl or blender, combine olive oil, lime juice, chopped chipotle chilies, adobo sauce, hot honey, minced garlic, and salt. Blend or whisk until well combined.
Marinate the Chicken
- Place the chicken pieces in a large bowl or resealable bag. Pour the marinade over the chicken and toss to coat evenly. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or for best flavor, overnight.
Cook the Chicken
- Choose your preferred cooking method:
Stovetop
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add the marinated chicken (discard excess marinade) and cook for 6-8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until browned and cooked through (internal temperature of 165°F).
Grill
- Preheat the grill to medium-high heat.
- Thread chicken onto skewers or place directly on the grates, use a grill pan, or don't cut chicken up before grilling.
- Grill for 4-5 minutes per side, until fully cooked.
Oven
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Spread chicken pieces on a lined baking sheet and bake for 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway through.
Air Fryer (For a crispy exterior!)
- Preheat the air fryer to 375°F.
- Remove the chicken from the marinade.
- Air fry for 12-15 minutes, flipping halfway, until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Let rest for 5 minutes, then serve.
Garnish
- Optional garnish of a drizzle of hot honey and fresh cilantro can elevate this dish.
Nutrition
Our recipe card software calculates these nutrition facts based on averages for the above ingredients, different brands, and quality of produce/meats may have different nutritional information, always calculate your own based on the specific products you use in order to achieve accurate macros for this recipe.
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