Tender, juicy Chicken Bites tossed in chipotle seasoning mix, honey and lime on your table in less than 20 minutes for the ultimate quick and easy weeknight dinner!

This Chicken Bites recipe is a quick, versatile, trusty weeknight dinner made with pantry friendly ingredients and just minutes of prep! The chicken is coated in a chipotle forward fiesta seasoning mix, pan seared to golden perfection, then tossed in honey and lime juice for an explosion of juicy, tangy, sweet and spicy heaven that everyone will be swooning over! Best of all, you can season the chicken up to two days ahead of time, then just toss it in a skillet at dinner time. This versatile Chicken Bites recipe can be served simply with rice or mashed potatoes and veggies, or in salads, roasted veggie bowls, burrito bowls, tacos, quesadillas and more!

We love easy chicken recipes that are anything but boring! Don’t miss these chicken recipes on your table in 30 minutes: Smothered Chicken, Honey Lime Chicken Thighs, Balsamic Chicken and Veggies, or Creamy Mushroom Chicken.

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How to Make Chicken Bites Video

top view of chicken bites garnished with cilantro

Why you’ll love this chipotle Honey Lime Chicken bites recipe

Quick and easy. Chop, season and cook – dinner is on the table in less than 20 minutes!

Pantry friendly. Keep some chicken stocked in the freezer and you’ll always have everything you need for this Chicken Bites recipe.

Explosive flavor without a marinade. You will be blown away at the flavor fireworks from just a quick spice rub, balanced with a crescendo of honey and lime.

Easy cleanup. There is literally just the cutting board and one pan to wash!

Make ahead. Chop and season the chicken up to two days ahead of time, then cook when ready!

Versatile. Swap the seasonings for whatever you like, add vegetables, beans, etc.

Enjoy Chicken Bites countless ways. There is no wrong or right way to enjoy these succulent morsels whether in bowls, wraps, salads or with sides. See post for tons of ideas!

Chipotle Chicken Bite ingredients

These Chicken Bites are destined to become a repeat favorite, not only because they’re so easy, but because you can make them at a moment’s notice with pantry friendly ingredients! Let’s take a closer look at what you’ll need to make this recipe (full recipe in the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post):

Chicken: Boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs will work – whatever you prefer.
Chipotle seasonings mix: This homemade mix is made with a blend of pantry-friendly seasonings of chipotle chili powder, chili powder, ground cumin, garlic powder, onion powder and smoked paprika.
Olive oil: Use quality extra virgin olive oil for the best flavor to pan sear the chicken.
Lime juice: Just one tablespoon adds a subtle tanginess to cut through the robust seasonings and compliment the honey. Use fresh or bottled.
Honey: The sweetness balances the earthy seasonings and heat from the chipotle chili pepper.

showing how to make chicken bites by stirring in cilantro

DO I HAVE TO USE CHIPOTLE CHILI Pepper?

If you are new to Carlsbad Cravings, let me introduce you to chipotle chili pepper, a must-have pantry staple, in my opinion. Chipotle chili pepper is ground up, dried and smoked jalapeno peppers. They have an underlying sweetness with smoky notes as opposed to just pure heat like cayenne pepper.

Where can I find it? Chipotle chili pepper can be found in the seasoning aisle in any grocery store or on Amazon HERE. It is sometimes called chipotle chile pepper or chipotle chili powder.

What can I use instead? If you need to make this Chicken Bites recipe NOW, then you may substitute the chipotle with a pinch of cayenne pepper, or omit it altogether if you don’t like heat. Cayenne pepper is much spicier, so that is why you’ll want to use less.

top view of chicken bites being served in a bowl with rice and avocados

HOW TO MAKE Chicken Bites

Are you are you ready to be blown away at just how easy this Chicken Bites recipe is to make?! Here’s how (full recipe in the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post):

Step 1 Mix. In a small bowl, whisk the spices together.
Step 2: Season. While the chicken is still on the cutting board, pat it dry with paper towels, then toss it with the spices.

showing how to make chicken bites recipe by tossing cubed chicken breasts with seasonings on a white cutting board

Step 3: Cook. Add chicken in a single layer to sizzling hot olive in a large pan. Cook for a couple minutes per side, until, seared and cooked through.

showing how to make chicken bites by searing the cubed chicken in a pan

Step 4: Add honey and lime. Stir in the honey and lime juice until the chicken is evenly coated, creating a tantalizing glaze. Garnish with cilantro if desired.

Tips for making Chipotle Honey Chicken bites

This recipe is pretty straightforward, but there are some tips for the BEST Chicken Bites:

Don’t chop the chicken too small. Chop the bites about 1-inch to help them stay juicy on the inside while the outside sears, otherwise they are easy to overcook and dry out.
Use more or less oil. If using a nonstick pan, 1 ½ tablespoons olive oil should be about right. If using a cast iron enameled pan, closer to 2 tablespoons will ensure zero sticking.
Get the pan nice and hot. Wait until the pan starts to lightly smoke before adding the chicken. This will ensure a beautiful golden sear on the outside and juicy chicken on the inside.
Sear the chicken before flipping. Wait until the chicken is beautifully golden on the bottom before flipping. Use a spatula or tongs to flip the chicken over.
Don’t overcook the chicken. Chicken Bites may take less time to cook than you think, so check a piece sooner rather than later for doneness so it remains nice and juicy.
Adjust to taste. Make these Chicken Bites your own! If you want a more lime forward flavor profile, add only one tablespoon of honey, or increase the lime juice. If you’re looking for a little sweeter, add 2 tablespoons honey. If you’re not sure, start with one tablespoon of each and adjust to taste.

possible recipe variations

You can easily customize this recipe by changing the seasonings, honey, lime, adding vegetables, etc. Here are just a few ideas:

Use a different cut of chicken: This recipe works well with chicken breasts, tenderloins and thighs.
Use a different protein: Use the spice rub on steak, pork, or shrimp!
Spice it up: ½ teaspoon chipotle chili pepper should be perfect for most people, but if you know you love spicy, then increase the chipotle chili pepper to ¾ or 1 teaspoon.
Add cilantro: Finish the chicken bites with freshly chopped cilantro.
Add vegetables and/or beans: After you cook the chicken, remove it from the skillet and sauté any veggies you like such as bell peppers, mushrooms, zucchini, etc. You can also add beans to warm through.

showing how to make chicken bites by adding chicken to a bowl with rice, beans, mangos, avocados

What to serve with this Chicken Bites Recipe

Chicken Bites an be served with any number of sides like roasted veggies and mashed potatoes or rice, beans and mango salsa for a Tex-Mex flair, or add the chicken to bowls, salads, etc. Below are some tasty side ideas (see next section for more serving ideas):

Mashed potatoes: Serve with mashed potatoes along with roasted vegetables or a green salad.
Green salads: Serve alongside southwest salad or Mexican salad to stick with the fiesta flavors, or with other favorite green salads like apple salad or strawberry spinach salad .
Roasted vegetables: Pop veggies in the oven for an easy hand’s off side like roasted sweet potatoes, roasted Cajun potatoes , roasted broccoli, or roasted asparagus.
Rice: Cilantro Lime Rice infused green chilies and garlic is always a restaurant worthy favorite. You can also serve with quinoa, or low-carb cauliflower rice.
Beans: After you remove the cooked chicken, add black beans to the skillet and gently warm through.
Corn: I’m obsessed with sweet, smoky, crunchy, juicy Mexican street corn salad or corn salad with cilantro lime dressing.
Fruit Salsas: I love pairing sweet and juicy fresh fruit salsa with these robust, earthy Chicken Bites! Choose between mango salsa, pineapple salsa, pineapple mango salsa.

Ways to serve Chicken Bites

This Chicken Bites recipe is fabulous on its own or it can be added to bowls, salads, wraps, etc. Here are just a few ideas:

Chicken Grain and Greens Bowls: Top your favorite grains (rice, couscous, quinoa etc.) with a handful of shredded greens (spinach, kale mix, cabbage etc.) Chicken Bites, black beans, roasted veggies (like roasted sweet potatoes, cauliflower and Brussels sprouts), then pile on your favorite toppings like pineapple or mangos (or mango salsa or pineapple salsa) avocados or guacamole, charred corn, pickled red onions, pickled beets, sliced almonds, etc. Marry it all together with cilantro lime dressing.
Chicken Burrito Bowls: Pile the Chicken Bites on a bed of rice with black beans, chopped pineapples or mangos (or pineapple or mango salsa), pico de gallo, pickled red onions and avocados/guacamole and cilantro lime dressing and/or tomatillo avocado ranch.
Tex-Mex Salad: Add Chicken Bites to your favorite greens along with veggies such as sweet grilled corn, peppers and tomatoes. Throw in some pepitas or sunflower seeds for crunch, avocados for creaminess, black beans for hearty earthiness and tortilla chips for saltiness. Serve with Cilantro Lime Ranch or your favorite dressing.
Green Salad: Add Chicken Bites to your favorite greens along with carrots, cucumbers, tomatoes, mango or pineapple, peanuts/almonds or cashews, and green onions. Serve with Peanut Sriracha Dressing or your favorite dressing.
Chicken Quesadillas: Sandwich chopped Chicken Bites, Monterrey Jack Cheese, black beans and cilantro in between two flour tortillas and toast in a skillet to golden, cheesy perfection. Serve with pineapple salsa or mango salsa, pico de gallo, avocado crema, and/or sour cream.
Chicken Tacos: Add Chicken Bites to a charred tortilla along with desired toppings such shredded cabbage, avocado crema or guacamole, and a tropical salsa such mango salsa, or pineapple salsa.
Chicken wraps: Add Chicken Bites to a tortilla or flatbread with desired toppings such as tomatoes, avocado, bacon, lettuce/mixed greens, pineapple, etc.

MEal Prep

These Chicken Bites can be chopped, seasoned, covered and refrigerated up to two days ahead of time. When it’s time for dinner, let the chicken rest on the counter for 30 minutes before cooking.

Chicken Bite Storage

HOW long are chicken bites good for?

Store leftover Chicken Bites in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

How do I reheat Chipotle Honey Chicken bites?

-Microwave: Transfer chicken to a microwave-safe plate. Microwave for 60 seconds then at 20-second intervals as needed.
-Skillet: Warm chicken in a skillet on the stove top over medium heat, stirring often until warmed through.
-Oven: Transfer chicken to a baking sheet and reheat at 350 degrees F for 8 minutes or just until warmed through.

Can I freeze Chicken Bites?

Yes, you can freeze the Chicken Bites either before or after cooking.

up close of chicken bites recipes in a bowl with rice, tomatoes and avocado

Looking for more Easy Chicken Recipes?

Chicken Broccoli Alfredo
Creamy Garlic Chicken
Chicken and Broccoli
Shredded Chicken
Cajun Chicken

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Chipotle Honey Lime Chicken Bites

Servings: servings

Total Time: 21

Prep Time: 15

Cook Time: 6

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Ingredients

SPICE MIX

1 teaspoon chili powder
¾ teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon chipotle chili pepper, more or less to taste
1/2 tsp EACH ground cumin, smoked paprika, onion powder, garlic powder

CHICKEN

1 pound chicken breasts, chopped into 1-inch pieces
1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons honey
1 tablespoon lime juice
chopped cilantro for garnish (optional)

Instructions

Spice mix: Whisk all the spices together in a medium bowl.
Season chicken: While the chopped chicken is still on the cutting board, pat it dry with paper towels, then toss it with the spice mix.
Cook chicken: Heat 1 ½ tablespoons olive oil in a large nonstick skillet or enameled cast iron pan over medium-high heat. Once smoking, add chicken in a single layer. Sear chicken for about 3 minutes, then flip over. Continue to cook for an additional 2-3 minutes, or just until cooked through.
Add glaze: Stir in the lime juice and honey until evenly coated. (start with 1 TBS honey if you want it less sweet), Serve with all that yummy glaze. Garnish with cilantro if desired.
Serve: See post for lots of tasty serving ideas!

Video

Notes

Spice level. Chipotle chili pepper can be found in the seasoning aisle in any grocery store or on Amazon HERE. ½ teaspoon should be perfect for most people (medium kick), but reduce for less heat, or increase to ¾ or 1 teaspoon if you love heat.
Adjust to taste. Make these Chicken Bites your own! If you want a more lime forward flavor profile, add only one tablespoon of honey, or increase the lime juice. If you’re looking for a little sweeter, add 2 tablespoons honey. If you’re not sure, start with one tablespoon of each and adjust to taste.
Meal prep. These Chicken Bites can be chopped, seasoned, covered and refrigerated up to two days ahead of time. When it’s time for dinner, let the chicken rest on the counter for 30 minutes before cooking.

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4 Comments

D says

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These were quick and tasty over a salad. We cooked them on a flat top grill.

- Jen says
  
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  Mmmmm, that sounds delicious!
  
Kali says

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These were amazing!! So flavorful and the perfect amount of spice. I served them with your cilantro lime rice and the a corn and shisito pepper salad from NYT. So yummy!!!

- Jen says
  
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  Thank you, Kali! I am so happy you enjoyed these! Your pairings sound delicious! 🙂