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Home / Main Dishes / Chicken

Baked Caribbean Jerk Chicken Bites

5
/5
30 minutes
25 Comments
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By: The Chunky Chefpublished: 07/05/2016

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

These ultra crispy chicken bites are lightened up by baking instead of frying in oil, then tossed in a mouthwatering copycat Caribbean Jerk sauce!  

This is my take on the ultimate popcorn chicken.  These chicken bites are soaked in buttermilk before breading, to ensure an ultra-juicy inside, then coated in a delicious panko crust and baked until tender and crispy.  Either leave them as is and dip in the tantalizing Caribbean Jerk sauce, or toss them all together for a boneless wings type of dish!  Either way, there’s NO way you’ll be able to have just one!

Baked Caribbean Jerk Chicken Bites | These ultra crispy chicken bites are lightened up by baking instead of frying in oil, then tossed in a mouthwatering copycat Caribbean Jerk sauce! | http://thechunkychef.com

I have a weakness for bite sized foods… there’s just something about them that I can’t get enough of!  They’re just so “pop-able” and fun.  Popcorn chicken is one of the items that I always order when we’re at a fast food place… I’m addicted to that crunch!  

Baked Caribbean Jerk Chicken Bites | These ultra crispy chicken bites are lightened up by baking instead of frying in oil, then tossed in a mouthwatering copycat Caribbean Jerk sauce! | http://thechunkychef.com

My breading method for these bites is a little different from my Parmesan Crusted Chicken Nuggets (which are the best way to win some MAJOR brownie points with your kiddos!), but they still take 30 minutes or less to get on the table.

Baked Caribbean Jerk Chicken Bites | These ultra crispy chicken bites are lightened up by baking instead of frying in oil, then tossed in a mouthwatering copycat Caribbean Jerk sauce! | http://thechunkychef.com

You have two choices here… you can enjoy these crunchy little chicken bites plain, with the sauce on the side, or go all in and toss the chicken bites WITH the sauce for maximum flavor.

I usually am a fan of the maximum flavor option, but there’s something to be said about the simplicity of a perfectly crunchy piece of chicken.

If you do choose to enjoy the chicken with the sauce on the side, don’t worry, they’re not boring.  There’s a bit of the Caribbean Jerk sauce mixed in the egg step of the breading process, and some spices in the breadcrumb mixture… so you’ll still have plenty of great flavor going on!

Baked Caribbean Jerk Chicken Bites | These ultra crispy chicken bites are lightened up by baking instead of frying in oil, then tossed in a mouthwatering copycat Caribbean Jerk sauce! | http://thechunkychef.com
Baked Caribbean Jerk Chicken Bites | These ultra crispy chicken bites are lightened up by baking instead of frying in oil, then tossed in a mouthwatering copycat Caribbean Jerk sauce! | http://thechunkychef.com

I like to serve these chicken bites with some slow cooker ranch mushrooms, Parmesan and garlic wedge fries, or the all-time family favorite stick of butter rice!

The Caribbean Jerk sauce is a copycat of Buffalo Wild Wings… so it may not be an authentic “jerk” sauce, but it’s definitely tasty!  Not to mention easy… you just pulse it in a blender, then simmer it on the stove for about 20 minutes.

I usually blend the sauce, then simmer it as I’m breading and baking the chicken.  The sauce can totally be made ahead of time too!

Some things I used to make this recipe:

KitchenAid Jelly Roll Pan – I love the size and sturdiness of this pan!

Ninja Professional Blender – Never deal with chunky sauces or smoothies again!  This blender is simply amazing!

Pre-Cut Parchment Paper – No more fighting with your parchment paper rolling up and struggling to get it cut to size for your pan!

Cuisinart Saucepan with Cover – This saucepan is my workhorse… great quality!

Did you make this? Be sure to leave a review below and tag me @the_chunky_chef on Facebook and Instagram!

Baked Caribbean Jerk Chicken Bites

5 from 1 vote
Author: The Chunky Chef
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
(hover over # to adjust)
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These ultra crispy chicken bites are lightened up by baking instead of frying in oil, then tossed in a mouthwatering copycat Caribbean Jerk sauce!

Ingredients

CARIBBEAN JERK SAUCE:

  • 2 Tbsp minced sweet onion
  • 1 cup water
  • 3/4 cup ketchup
  • 1/2 cup light brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
  • 2 Tbsp hot sauce your favorite brand
  • 2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 tsp lemon juice
  • 1 1/2 tsp cayenne
  • 1 1/2 tsp parsley
  • 1 tsp cornstarch + 1 tsp water
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/4 tsp onion powder
  • 1/8 tsp ground cloves
  • 1/8 tsp nutmeg
  • 1/8 tsp allspice
  • 1/8 tsp sage
  • 1/8 tsp thyme

CHICKEN:

  • 1-2 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts diced into small bite-sized pieces, or thighs
  • 1/4 cup buttermilk
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
  • Several dashes of hot sauce optional
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • salt and black pepper to taste
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 1/2 Tbsp Caribbean Jerk sauce from above
  • 1 1/2 cups panko breadcrumbs
  • 1 tsp dried parsley
  • 3/4 tsp paprika
  • 1/4 tsp garlic powder
  • salt and black pepper to taste
  • Cooking spray

Instructions

CARIBBEAN JERK SAUCE:

  • Combine all ingredients in blender and puree until smooth.
  • Pour into saucepan and simmer over LOW heat for 20 minutes, or until thickened slightly.

CHICKEN:

  • Place diced chicken into zip-top plastic bag. Add buttermilk, salt, pepper, and hot sauce (if using). Seal bag and massage to coat all the chicken in buttermilk mixture. Set aside while you prepare other ingredients.
  • Preheat oven to 425 degrees F, and line a baking sheet with parchment paper sprayed lightly with cooking spray.
  • Gather 3 bowls; spoon flour and salt and pepper in one bowl (toss to combine), eggs and 1 1/2 tbsp jerk sauce in one bowl (beat together lightly), and panko breadcrumbs, dried parsley, paprika, garlic powder, salt and pepper in the last bowl (toss to combine). Line up bowls so that the order goes flour, eggs, panko, then have prepared baking sheet at the end.
  • Using one hand for wet ingredients and another hand for dry ingredients, transfer chicken from buttermilk mixture (a couple pieces at a time), shaking excess buttermilk from chicken, to the flour bowl. Coat chicken in flour, then transfer to the egg bowl. Turn chicken in egg mixture, then transfer chicken to the panko bowl. Toss chicken in panko mixture until well coated, then transfer to prepared baking sheet.
  • Repeat with remaining chicken pieces, leaving about 1/2 inch between chicken pieces on the baking sheet to allow for even cooking.
  • Bake chicken for 15 minutes, or until cooked through, turning over halfway through. If desired, broil chicken for a minute to get them even crispier.
  • Serve chicken with Caribbean Jerk sauce on the side for dipping, or add chicken to a large bowl, top with sauce and toss to coat chicken in the sauce.

Want to save this recipe for later? Click the heart in the bottom right corner to save to your own recipe box!

Chef Tips

1. Sauce recipe from Blendtec

Nutrition Disclaimer

The Chunky Chef is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, we recommend running the ingredients through whichever online nutritional calculator you prefer. Calories can vary quite a bit depending on which brands were used.

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Baked Caribbean Jerk Chicken Bites | These ultra crispy chicken bites are lightened up by baking instead of frying in oil, then tossed in a mouthwatering copycat Caribbean Jerk sauce! | http://thechunkychef.com

Baked Caribbean Jerk Chicken Bites | These ultra crispy chicken bites are lightened up by baking instead of frying in oil, then tossed in a mouthwatering copycat Caribbean Jerk sauce! | http://thechunkychef.com

Baked Caribbean Jerk Chicken Bites | These ultra crispy chicken bites are lightened up by baking instead of frying in oil, then tossed in a mouthwatering copycat Caribbean Jerk sauce! | http://thechunkychef.com

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Hey there! I'm Amanda. Wife, mother, photography nerd, and bacon lover! I believe that delicious meals should be easy to make. Now that you’re here, stay a bit, browse a few recipes, and let’s get cookin’!

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Recipe Rating




  1. Frank Ashby says

    Posted on 1/16 at 9:48 am

    Really enjoy your recipes ma’am. However, I have to watch the carbs. Have you considered trying some of these great wing recipes in an air fryer??

    Reply
    • The Chunky Chef says

      Posted on 1/16 at 8:34 pm

      I haven’t specifically tested them, but if you’re up for some experimenting, give it a try and I’d love to know how it turns out 🙂

      Reply
  2. Susanne says

    Posted on 12/16 at 9:28 am

    Sounds delicious. I’m going to try them today. Two questions. How big do you cut the chicken pieces and how many chicken breasts to feed 3 people?

    Reply
    • The Chunky Chef says

      Posted on 12/16 at 2:32 pm

      Hi Susanne 🙂 It depends on whether you’re making them as a main dish or an appetizer. I would say that 3 large chicken breasts should feed 3 people as a meal, and 1-2 breasts would feed 3 people as an appetizer. I usually cut my chicken somewhere in between 1/2″-1″ pieces… but cut them to whatever size you think is bite-sized 🙂 Hope you love them!

      Reply
  3. Michele ~ West Via Midwest says

    Posted on 7/12 at 7:29 pm

    Seriously, your photos are simply outstanding! And that Jerk seasoning is packed with so much flavor I just know its going to become a staple at out house!

    Reply
    • The Chunky Chef says

      Posted on 7/14 at 8:41 am

      Thank you SO much Michele!! 🙂

      Reply
  4. Megan @ MegUnprocessed says

    Posted on 7/12 at 3:38 pm

    The sauce seasonings sound good!

    Reply
    • The Chunky Chef says

      Posted on 7/14 at 8:41 am

      Thank you Megan!! 🙂

      Reply
  5. Nutmeg Nanny says

    Posted on 7/8 at 1:50 pm

    Pour that sauce all over mine please! I bet they are perfectly spicy and crunchy in ever single chicken bite.

    Reply
    • The Chunky Chef says

      Posted on 7/11 at 10:17 pm

      Thanks so much! 🙂

      Reply
  6. Renee - Kudos Kitchen says

    Posted on 7/7 at 6:09 pm

    I also love bite sized things. Maybe because it feels like you get more bang for your buck when you can keep going back for more. These look fantastic! I know my family will love them!

    Reply
    • The Chunky Chef says

      Posted on 7/11 at 10:13 pm

      Thanks Renee!! I think you’re right… for me, it’s the ability to eat more of them that I love so much 🙂

      Reply
  7. Heather says

    Posted on 7/7 at 12:57 pm

    These look so so good! I love caribbean jerk flavors and combined with the chicken bites, all I can say is yes please. I love your recipes and photos!

    Reply
    • The Chunky Chef says

      Posted on 7/11 at 10:12 pm

      Thanks so much Heather!! 🙂

      Reply
  8. Roxana says

    Posted on 7/7 at 11:05 am

    I’m so terrified of frying and always looking for new recipes for “oven-baked” fried food. These chicken bites sound fantastic!

    Reply
    • The Chunky Chef says

      Posted on 7/11 at 10:12 pm

      Thanks Roxana! For someone as accident prone as I am, frying can be a bit treacherous lol

      Reply
  9. Joanie @ ZagLeft says

    Posted on 7/6 at 2:55 pm

    The crust on these popcorn bites look so flavorful. I know I could devour the entire batch.

    Reply
    • The Chunky Chef says

      Posted on 7/11 at 10:11 pm

      Thanks Joanie! 🙂

      Reply
  10. Beth says

    Posted on 7/6 at 12:33 pm

    OH my goodness! I have never made homemade chicken bites or nuggets. You are awesome – ship some to me?!

    Reply
    • The Chunky Chef says

      Posted on 7/11 at 10:11 pm

      Hi Beth! It’s so much fun to make them, since you can totally customize them 🙂 Lol I’d so ship you some if I could 🙂

      Reply
  11. Patricia @ Grab a Plate says

    Posted on 7/5 at 9:46 pm

    Wow! These look fabulous! I would be popping one after another — like you said, good thing they’re baked! Very yummy!

    Reply
  12. Heather | All Roads Lead to the Kitchen says

    Posted on 7/5 at 2:43 pm

    Oh, these look incredible. I’d love the parm-crusted ones – that that sauce is totally calling my name!

    Reply
    • The Chunky Chef says

      Posted on 7/5 at 9:50 pm

      Thanks so much Heather! 🙂

      Reply
  13. Malia@Small Town Girl Blog says

    Posted on 7/5 at 2:20 pm

    I’m with ya sister! No bones, no fork, just yum! These sound divine. Pinning, sharing, trying!

    Reply
    • The Chunky Chef says

      Posted on 7/5 at 9:50 pm

      Thanks girl! Oh yeah, I don’t need anything like silly bones to slow down my eating 😉

      Reply

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