Copycat Chick-fil-A Chicken Minis with Hot Honey (easy)
Homemade Chicken Minis
These Copycat Chick-fil-A Chicken Minis with Hot Honey are one of the easiest ways to satisfy a Chick-fil-A craving at home. Crispy chicken bites are tucked inside warm, buttered Parker House rolls and finished with a drizzle of hot honey for the perfect sweet-and-spicy bite.
Best of all, you only need four simple ingredients, and the chicken and rolls bake in the oven at the same temperature. This easy chicken minis recipe works for breakfast or brunch, but it is just as good for an after-school snack, an easy dinner, or a tray of game day snacks.
And, of course, this recipe is especially useful when you are craving Chick-fil-A on a Sunday!
Better Than the Drive-Thru
I started making these homemade chicken minis as a quick substitute for Chick-fil-A Chicken Minis, but I actually prefer my version. The hot honey gives them a little kick, and I love being able to make an entire tray at home whenever we want them.
These are also one of my favorite things to serve when Aaron has a friend (or two or three) spend the night. I add a bowl of fresh fruit and let the boys help themselves. With teenage appetites, one batch can disappear surprisingly fast, so I usually double the recipe!
Why You’ll Love This Easy Chicken Minis Recipe
- Only four simple ingredients: Frozen chicken bites, Parker House rolls, butter, and hot honey are all you need.
- Everything bakes together: The chicken and rolls go into the oven at 350°F, making the timing and cleanup much easier.
- Easy to double: The recipe makes 16 chicken minis, but doubling it is as simple as buying two packages of rolls and using 32 chicken bites.
- Perfect for any time of day: Serve them for breakfast, brunch, an after-school snack, game day, or an easy family dinner.
- A Sunday Chick-fil-A fix: There is no need to wait until Monday when the craving hits!
The Best Ingredients for Copycat Chick-fil-A Chicken Minis
I have tried different combinations, and Just Bare Lightly Breaded Chicken Breast Bites and Sister Schubert’s Parker House Style Rolls are the best pairing I have found for making these taste like Chick-fil-A Chicken Minis. You can certainly substitute other brands, but do not expect the flavor and texture to be exactly the same. I only use these two brands when I make this recipe.
Just Bare Lightly Breaded Chicken Breast Bites
The lightly breaded chicken stays juicy inside and gets nicely crisp in the oven. The pieces are not all identical in size, so choose 16 that fit comfortably inside the rolls. If you find an especially large piece, you can cut it in half after heating.
The 24-ounce (or 1½-pound) bag I used contained exactly 37 chicken bites. That is enough for two full 16-mini batches, with five pieces left over. If you are making three batches, you will need 48 chicken bites. Four batches require 64, so plan on buying two bags when preparing a larger quantity. The exact number may vary slightly from bag to bag because the chicken pieces are not uniform.
Sister Schubert’s Parker House Style Rolls
These soft Parker House rolls are the closest match I have found for the rolls used in Chick-fil-A Chicken Minis. At first glance, the package looked like it contained 15 rolls, but there were actually 16 in the included baking pan. One package makes one complete batch of 16 chicken minis.
I also love that the rolls come in their own pan. There is nothing extra to prepare or wash. Remove the plastic bag and place the pan directly in the oven.
Butter
I brush the warm rolls with regular melted butter after they come out of the oven. There is no need to make honey butter because the hot honey goes inside the chicken minis. The butter adds flavor and gives the browned tops a soft, glossy finish.
Want to make the butter from scratch? Try my easy Homemade Butter recipe.
Hot Honey
I used Mike’s Hot Honey in the photos, but any brand of hot honey will work. If the chicken minis will be eaten immediately, drizzle it over the chicken inside the rolls so the tops stay clean and easy to pick up.
If you are serving children, a crowd, or putting these out for people to graze on during a game, leave some or all of the chicken minis plain and serve the hot honey on the side. That gives everyone options and prevents the rolls from becoming soggy as they sit.
If you do not like spicy food, substitute regular honey. You can also skip the honey and serve the chicken minis with another dipping sauce. Chick-fil-A Sauce is now sold in many grocery stores and would be an easy option.
How to Make Copycat Chick-fil-A Chicken Minis
*printable recipe card is available at the bottom of this page
Step One: Preheat the Oven and Prepare the Chicken
Preheat the oven to 350°F. Arrange 16 frozen Just Bare chicken bites in a single layer on an ungreased baking pan, leaving a little space between them so they can crisp.
Step Two: Prepare the Parker House Rolls
Remove the plastic bag from the package of Sister Schubert’s Parker House rolls and keep the rolls in their included baking pan. The rolls I tested had partially thawed on the trip home from the grocery store and were no longer completely frozen.
Step Three: Bake the Chicken and Rolls Together
Place both pans in the 350°F oven and bake for 20 minutes. After 20 minutes, remove the rolls from the oven and leave the chicken baking for an additional 8 minutes, or 28 minutes total. The chicken should be heated through and crispy on the outside.
My rolls were nicely browned after the full 20 minutes—not burned, but definitely brown. I like them that way. If you prefer lighter rolls, remove them a few minutes earlier or loosely cover the pan with aluminum foil to prevent additional browning. If your rolls are still completely frozen, they may require additional time; refer to the package directions and watch them closely.
Step Four: Butter and Open the Rolls
While the chicken finishes baking, brush the tops of the warm rolls with melted butter. Remove the rolls from their included baking pan and carefully open each one along its natural seam. Do not pull it completely apart; you want it to open like a small sandwich bun.
I work in batches on a baking sheet lined with a silicone mat. The liner catches the crumbs and any stray honey drips, making cleanup much easier.
Step Five: Add the Chicken and Hot Honey
When the chicken comes out of the oven, place one hot chicken bite inside each roll. Drizzle a small amount of hot honey directly over the chicken, keeping it inside the roll so the outside does not become sticky. Close the roll and repeat with the remaining ingredients.
Transfer the finished chicken minis to a serving platter and serve immediately while the rolls are warm and the chicken is still crisp.
My Favorite Pan for Crispy Chicken Nuggets
I bake the chicken bites on my Our Place Griddle Pan. This is not an inexpensive baking pan, but I noticed the difference right away. The chicken crisps beautifully, the ceramic surface is genuinely nonstick, and cleanup is incredibly easy. It can also be used as a stovetop griddle, so it is much more versatile than a basic baking sheet.
I am so impressed with this pan that I wish I had bought it sooner. If you can afford the splurge, I think it is absolutely worth it and a noticeable upgrade from a cheap baking sheet.
Shop the Our Place Griddle Pan on Amazon
How to Double the Recipe
This recipe makes one batch of 16 homemade chicken minis. To double it, use two packages of Sister Schubert’s rolls, 32 chicken bites, additional melted butter, and hot honey as desired.
You do not need to double the baking time. Keep the chicken in a single layer and allow space between the pieces. Depending on the size of your oven and pans, you may need to rotate the pans or work in batches so everything cooks evenly.
What to Serve with Chicken Minis
For breakfast or brunch, I keep things easy and add fresh fruit. That is usually all Aaron and his friends need when they have stayed overnight—although I have learned that one batch may not be enough when several teenage boys are involved.
These easy chicken minis also make an excellent after-school snack or Super Bowl and game day appetizer. Arrange them on a platter with hot honey, regular honey, Chick-fil-A Sauce, or your favorite dipping sauces on the side. For a crowd or game day grazing, I recommend leaving the honey off the minis and serving it on the side. Guests can choose their own topping, and the rolls will stay fresher longer.
To turn them into a balanced dinner, serve the chicken minis with:
Storage and Reheating
These chicken minis are best served immediately, while the chicken is crisp and the rolls are warm. If you are making them for grazing or expect leftovers, leave off the honey and serve it on the side. If possible, store the chicken and rolls separately. Refrigerate the chicken in an airtight container and reheat it in the oven or air fryer to help restore its crispy texture. Warm the rolls separately, then assemble and add the hot honey just before serving.
Already-assembled leftovers can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to three days, but the rolls will soften as they sit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a different brand of chicken nuggets?
Yes, but the finished chicken minis may not taste as close to Chick-fil-A. Just Bare chicken bites have the flavor, light breading, and texture I prefer for this recipe.
Can I use different rolls?
You can substitute another small yeast roll, but Sister Schubert’s Parker House rolls give me the closest result. Hawaiian rolls are sweeter and have a noticeably different flavor and texture.
Do I have to use hot honey?
No. Regular honey is a great substitute if you do not want the heat. You can also leave off the honey and serve the chicken minis with Chick-fil-A Sauce or another favorite dipping sauce.
Can I double or triple this recipe?
Absolutely. One recipe makes 16 chicken minis. Remember that a 24-ounce bag of Just Bare chicken bites may not contain enough pieces for three complete batches. My bag contained 37 pieces, while three batches require 48.
Are chicken minis only for breakfast?
Not at all. They are delicious for breakfast and brunch, but they also work as an after-school snack, easy lunch, game day appetizer, or simple dinner with a couple of side dishes.
Final Thoughts
These Copycat Chick-fil-A Chicken Minis with Hot Honey prove that a recipe does not have to be complicated to be worth making. With the right chicken bites and rolls, you can put together an easy homemade version that satisfies the craving—and you can make it even on a Sunday.
Make one batch for a small breakfast or snack, or double it when feeding a hungry family, overnight guests, or a game day crowd. Just do not expect 16 chicken minis to last long around teenage boys!
Chick-fil-A is a registered trademark. This independent recipe is not affiliated with or endorsed by Chick-fil-A, Inc.
More Easy Chicken Recipes for Game Day
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Copycat Chick-fil-A Chicken Minis with Hot Honey (easy)
Ingredients
- 1 package Sister Schubert’s Parker House Style Rolls 16 rolls, partially thawed
- 16 Just Bare Lightly Breaded Chicken Breast Bites frozen
- 2 tablespoons butter softened or melted
- 2 tablespoons hot honey plus more for serving if desired
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- Arrange the frozen chicken bites in a single layer on an ungreased baking pan, leaving a little space between the pieces.
- Remove the plastic bag from the Parker House rolls, but leave the partially thawed rolls in their included baking pan.
- Place both pans in the oven and bake at 350°F for 20 minutes.
- After 20 minutes, remove the rolls from the oven. Leave the chicken in the oven for an additional 8 minutes, or 28 minutes total, until heated through and crispy.
- While the chicken finishes baking, brush the tops of the warm rolls with melted butter. Remove the rolls from their pan and carefully open each one along its natural seam without pulling it completely apart.
- Place one hot chicken bite inside each roll. For chicken minis that will be eaten immediately, drizzle hot honey over the chicken inside each roll. Close the rolls and transfer them to a serving platter.
- Serve immediately with additional hot honey or your favorite dipping sauce.
Notes
Notes
- The rolls I tested were partially thawed after coming home from the grocery store. Completely frozen rolls may require additional time; refer to the package directions and watch them closely.
- After 20 minutes, the tops of my rolls were browned but not burned. For lighter rolls, remove them a few minutes earlier or loosely cover the pan with foil to limit browning.
- Keep the hot honey inside the rolls so the tops do not become sticky.
- When serving children or putting the chicken minis out for game day grazing, leave off the honey and serve it on the side. This gives everyone options and helps prevent soggy rolls.
- Regular honey or another dipping sauce may be substituted for hot honey.
- Just Bare chicken bites vary in size. Choose pieces that fit comfortably inside the rolls, or cut especially large pieces in half after heating.
- To double the recipe, use two packages of rolls, 32 chicken bites, 4 tablespoons melted butter, and 4 tablespoons hot honey. The baking time remains the same as long as the chicken stays in a single layer and the oven is not overcrowded.
- My 24-ounce bag contained 37 chicken bites—enough for two complete batches of 16, with five pieces left over. Three batches require 48 bites, and four batches require 64.
- These chicken minis are best served immediately. Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to three days and reheat in the oven or air fryer for the best texture.
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