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Author:
Kimber Matherne
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Juicy Oven Baked Chicken Bites are a family-friendly recipe that’s incredibly easy to make in as little as 20 minutes! Tender, flavorful, and versatile, this will be a go-to dinner option for any day of the week.
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Everyone in the family, including all your picky eaters, will absolutely love these baked chicken bites. Their savory flavor, combined with their easy-to-eat size, makes them an instant hit—and you’ll also love that they’re a wholesome, healthy source of lean protein!
Let me tell you, this recipe hits the ball out of the park, and not just in terms of taste. This chicken bites recipe is also super easy, with everyday ingredients you probably have stocked in your pantry and only a few minutes of prep time.
If you love easy recipes like my VIRAL Steak Bites, Perfect Baked Chicken Breast, Ranch Chicken Bites, or Greek Chicken Bites, these oven-baked chicken bites will be in frequent rotation in your household!
Why I LOVE this recipe!
- Kid-friendly – Juicy oven baked chicken bites are sure to please even the most picky eaters in your family. They’re also small and easy to eat, making them perfect for tiny hands!
- Versatile – Customize your chicken bites with your favorite seasonings and serve them with a variety of dipping sauces to make this recipe your own.
- Healthy – Unlike fried and breaded chicken bites, these oven-baked ones are much healthier. They still get beautifully crispy on the edges and they remain tender and juicy on the inside—absolute perfection!
- Super easy – With just a few steps, this recipe is perfect for anytime you need a quick and satisfying dinner option.
Recipe Notes
This chicken bites recipe is as simple as promised! Just a handful of ingredients and a few minutes of prep for a family friendly meal.
In this section I am going to go through a few tips and tricks I use for how to make baked chicken bites to get the absolute best and most delicious results.
Make sure to scroll to the bottom for the FULL recipe card.
Ingredients + Substitutions
- Boneless skinless chicken breast – Using boneless skinless chicken breast makes prep easy!
- Olive oil – No need for fancy extra-virgin olive oil here—regular olive oil is just fine.
- Chicken base – This is a paste variety of Chicken Bullion and can generally be found on the soup aisle or near the granulated bullion.
- Seasonings – Paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper are all classics for seasoning chicken.
- Dried thyme – Thyme adds an herbal note that works well with these chicken bites.
Garnish
- Chopped parsley – Fresh parsley is the perfect finishing touch, adding bright, fresh flavor.
Make sure to see the recipe card at the bottom of this post for the full quantities and ingredients list.
Recipe Variations
If you love this recipe as much as we do and want some quick ways to change it up for variety, these little tips will do the trick!
- Buffalo Chicken Bites – Make the recipe as directed. Once done, coat the chicken in a mixture of melted butter and Frank’s Red Hot Sauce and serve the chicken bites with ranch or blue cheese dressing.
- BBQ Chicken Bites – Make the recipe as directed. Once done, toss the chicken bites in your favorite barbecue sauce for a sweet-and-smoky version of this recipe.
- Asian-Style Chicken Bites – Make the recipe as directed, omitting the thyme. Once done, toss the chicken bites with Teriyaki glaze for a tasty Asian-inspired twist.
- Mediterranean Chicken Bites – 2 tablespoons of lemon juice and 2 tablespoons of greek seasoning mixture in place of the seasonings in the recipe, then serve garnished with fresh parsley, and crumbled feta.
- Spicy Chicken Bites – Amp up the heat by adding a pinch of cayenne pepper to the seasoning mixture.
- Parmesan Chicken Bites – Make the recipe as directed. Once done, remove chicken from juices and toss with grated Parmesan cheese for a cheesy coating on these baked chicken bites.
Recipe Step by Step
I am going to highlight a few key steps in the recipe here, but make sure to jump down to the recipe card for comprehensive instructions on how to make oven-baked chicken bites.
Cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces.
Place the cut chicken chunks into a casserole dish.
Add the oil and seasonings.
Stir until the chicken is evenly coated.
Recipe Tips
- Cut the chicken into even pieces – This will ensure that the chicken bites cook evenly and are all finished baking at the same time.
- Coat the the chicken bites well – Make sure to evenly coat the chicken with the oil, spices, and herbs for maximum flavor in every bite.
- Give the chicken bites their space – Just like teenagers, chicken bites need some space! If you want those golden, crispy edges, don’t crowd them into the baking dish—they should all be in an even layer.
- Don’t over-cook – This is the key to juicy, tender chicken bites! Using an instant-read thermometer is the best way to know when your chicken is done, since the amount of time will vary based on the size of your chicken bites and your precise oven temperature.
Recipe Short Cuts
If you need to make this recipe, but are extra short on time, here are a few ideas that can help make this recipe even faster!
- Let the butcher prep your chicken – Use pre-cut chicken tenders or nuggets instead of cutting the chicken yourself.
- Skip the jars of spices – Use a store-bought seasoning blend to skip measuring out all the spices for the recipe.
- Mix the seasoning blend in advance – You can also measure and mix the seasonings and store them at room temperature until you’re ready to make this chicken bites recipe. (Or, if you make it often, just keep a jar of the seasoning mix on hand in the pantry!)
Freezer Meal Instructions
Making this chicken bites recipe into a freezer meal is simple! Follow the steps below and you can store this recipe in the freezer for up to 6 months.
To freeze before cooking
- Cut the chicken into bite sized pieces.
- Place them in an airtight container or freezer bag.
- Pour the oil and seasonings over the chicken, then seal the bag and toss to coat.
- Freeze for up to 3 months.
- Thaw in the refrigerator overnight, then cook according to the recipe instructions.
How to Freeze Chicken Bites After Cooking
- Place the baked chicken bites in an airtight container or freezer bag.
- Seal and freeze for up to 1 month.
- Thaw in the refrigerator overnight, then reheat in the microwave or oven.
What to Serve with Baked Chicken Bites
Since this protein based dinner has the delicious flavors of garlic and herbs, it will pair well with many of your favorite vegetable side dishes.
Choose one or several of these side dishes to create a wholesome, well-rounded dinner. There are both classic options and some healthy options to keep it light.
Side Dish Ideas
- Incredible Baked Potato Wedges
- Sautéed Green Beans
- Perfect Oven Roasted Vegetables
- Crock Pot Baked Potato Soup
Dipping Sauces
- Homemade Buttermilk Ranch Dressing Recipe {Restaurant Style}
- Homemade BBQ Sauce
- Honey Mustard Sauce
- Best Homemade Blue Cheese Dressing Recipe
- Yum Yum Sauce
Chicken Bites Leftovers
If you have leftovers after making this recipe, then it is your lucky day! They save and reheat well, and can make the start of another delicious dish.
To save leftovers, separate into meal sized portions and then place in an airtight container and store:
- in the refrigerator for 3-4 days
- in the freezer up to a month
Leftover Recipes
Here are a few ways to repurpose those leftovers and give them a delicious makeover!
- Chicken Caesar Salad – Slice up leftover chicken bites and toss them in a Caesar salad for a delicious lunch or dinner option. Or use it in this Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad!
- Chicken Alfredo Pasta – Add chopped chicken bites to your favorite Alfredo sauce and serve over pasta for a quick and easy meal.
- Chicken Quesadillas – Use leftover chicken bites as filling for cheesy quesadillas. Serve with salsa, guacamole, and sour cream.
- Chicken Fried Rice – Chop up leftover chicken bites and add them to your favorite fried rice recipe.
Recipe FAQ’s
Should I cover my chicken when I bake it in the oven?
Covering your chicken while baking in the oven is a personal preference. Some people prefer to cover it to keep the moisture in and others prefer to leave it uncovered for a crispier texture. For these baked chicken bites, I don’t think there’s a reason to cover the pan.
How long should chicken be cooked at 400ºF?
The cooking time for chicken at 400ºF depends on the size and type of chicken being cooked. These chicken bites will be done in 15 to 20 minutes, but the best way to know when they’re done is to check the internal temperature!
How do you keep chicken from drying out in the oven?
Cooking at a higher temperature for a shorter amount of time will help keep your chicken from drying out. Long, slow cooking is the worst thing you can do for boneless chicken breasts!
Why does baked chicken get rubbery?
Baked chicken can become rubbery if it is overcooked or cooked at too high of a temperature. This, again, is why using that instant-read meat thermometer is so important!
More EASY Chicken Recipes
If you enjoyed this recipe, I really hope you will take a moment to grab a few more easy recipes for another busy night!
You can check out all of my easy chicken recipes here, or see a few of our readers favorite recipes below.
- Dutch Oven Roast Chicken
- Black Bean Chicken Bake
- BBQ Chicken Bake
- Baked Bruschetta Chicken
Juicy Baked Chicken Bites
By: Kimber Matherne
5 from 23 votes
Tender, flavorful, and versatile, these juicy oven-baked chicken bites will be a go-to dinner option any day of the week. Easy and delicious!
Prep Time: 5 minutes mins
Cook Time: 15 minutes mins
Total Time: 20 minutes mins
6
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Ingredients
- 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breast
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon chicken base
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoons garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoons black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon dried thyme
Garnish
- 1 tablespoon freshly chopped parsley
Instructions
Preheat oven to 400˚F.
Cut the chicken into bite sized pieces, about 1-2 inch chunks.
Place the chicken bites in a 9×13 inch baking dish. Pour 1 tablespoon of the oil and the chicken base over the chicken and toss to coat.
Add all of the spices to the chicken and toss them to evenly coat all of the chicken.
Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165˚F.
Once done, allow to sit for 5 minutes then toss the chicken with the chopped parsley and serve.
Last step!Share a picture on Instagram and tag me at @easyfamilyrecipes!
Recipe Notes
Substitutions:Use your own favorite seasonings to customize this recipe.
How to Store:To save leftovers, separate into meal sized portions and then place in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
How to Freeze:Place the baked chicken bites in an airtight container or freezer bag, then seal and freeze for up to 1 month.
How to Reheat:Warm chicken bites in the microwave or a 350ºF oven in a covered baking dish with a splash of broth or water.
How to Scale: If you want to scale this recipe up, you’ll need to use a second baking dish.
Nutrition Information
Calories: 219kcal (11%), Carbohydrates: 1g, Protein: 32g (64%), Fat: 9g (14%), Saturated Fat: 2g (13%), Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 5g, Trans Fat: 0.02g, Cholesterol: 97mg (32%), Sodium: 375mg (16%), Potassium: 581mg (17%), Fiber: 0.2g (1%), Sugar: 0.2g, Vitamin A: 268IU (5%), Vitamin C: 3mg (4%), Calcium: 13mg (1%), Iron: 1mg (6%)
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Leave a Reply
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Jan B
These were excellent….tender, juicy bites of chicken. Made Buffalo sauce for dipping. Will definitely make again.Reply
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Amy
This was so good! The entire family enjoyed it and I like how flexible it is. Definitely adding it to the regular rotation! For the chicken base I used one packet of Herb-Ox chicken bouillon and added a tiny amount of water to make a paste.Reply
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Meredith
Made these tonight, so simple and so tasty! My 4 year old loved them with mashed potatoes and asparagus. I’m going to do chicken fried rice with the leftovers this week.Reply
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Bob McGinley
What to use instead of chicken base? I only have granulated chicken bullion.
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Kimber Matherne
Chicken base is a paste variety of Chicken Bullion and can generally be found on the soup aisle or near the granulated bullion. It will really up the rich chicken flavor in the dish. You could make the recipe with out the chicken base and add a little extra oil and salt, or possibly try dissolving granulated bullion in a bit of oil, though I haven’t tried that.
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Katy
What is Chicken base? Is it like a chicken stock powder? Or is it a brand name of something?
I’m in NZ, never heard of chicken base so can you let me know of any substitutions that would be great.Reply
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Kimber Matherne
This is a paste variety of Chicken Bullion and can generally be found on the soup aisle or near the granulated bullion. It will really up the rich chicken flavor in the dish. In the US we have the brands Better than Bullion and Zoup (what I used here.) You could make the recipe with out the chicken base and add a little extra oil and salt, or possibly try dissolving granulated bullion in a bit of oil, though I haven’t tried that.
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Chery
What is chicken base?
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Kimber Matherne
Chicken base is a paste variety of Chicken Bullion and can generally be found on the soup aisle or near the granulated bullion.
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Heidi
The ingredients call for 2 T of oil divided. The instructions say to use 1 T of oil. What is the other tablespoon for?
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Kimber Matherne
Sorry about that! I originally was greasing the pan with it, then found it became unnecessary and changed the recipe to making it all in the dish at once. I appreciate you catching my error, and I updated the recipe car to reflect this.
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Debra Pefanis
Living in Denver, I have a horrible time adjusting for altitude! Can you give me the trick for cooking at Mile Hi?
Thanks!
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Kimber Matherne
Hi Debra- I am actually at sea level, so I am not an expert at high altitude cooking. I would reach out to a resource more experienced with that. I am sorry I can’t be more help!
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Carrie Kimbrell
If you use one the of the recipe alternatives m, is that in addition to the original recipe ingredients or… in replacement of the original ingredients?
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Kimber Matherne
Hi Carrie- I updated the post to reflect more comprehensive instructions for you on the varieties. Let me know if you still have questions!
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