We love the classic Oven-Baked Hot Poppers from Dinner Done, but, yes, it is time for a new version!
Before Dinner Done was released in November of 2022 we knew without a doubt that the most popular recipe would be the Oven Baked Hot Poppers (page 75). How did we know? Firstly because chicken cutlet recipes are the most popular of all the recipes we share. Secondly, because months before the cookbook appeared, from the time the recipe was written and photographed, we were making it for our family on repeat. That hot popper sauce was a staple for our boys in sleepaway camp that summer and we knew if we loved it so much our readers would love it too.
It’s been a few years since and while we don’t think our kids will ever tire of the recipe, we knew it was time to change things up.
What was so popular about the hot poppers recipes was 1. It was oven-baked. Moms loved it and kids had no idea. 2. The sauce was a no cook sauce ― again super easy. One less pot to clean. 3. It had the kick that kids love.
When changing up the recipe, we kept the basics the same. The chicken is the same recipe as the one in Dinner Done. The sauce is new, but we stuck to the no-cook method (super easy cleanup). Bake the chicken. Combine the sauce, pour it over while the chicken is hot or use as a dipping sauce.
Sticky Barbecue Poppers
Ingredients
- 1 ½ lb chicken cutlets, cut into 1 inch cubes
- 1 egg
- ¼ tsp paprika
- ¼ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp lemon juice
- dash black pepper
- 1 cup panko or home-style crumbs
- 4 tbsp oil, divided
- oil spray
Sticky BBQ Sauce
- ½ cup barbecue sauce (we used Sweet Baby Ray's)
- 3 tbsp maple syrup
- 1 tsp hot sauce
- ½ tsp yellow mustard
- 1 tsp soy sauce
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- dash black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425ºF.
- In a bowl, combine eggs, lemon juice, paprika, salt, garlic powder, and black pepper. Place the cubed chicken into eggs mixture, then mix to coat. Let sit 5 minutes.
- Meanwhile, line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. Place 2 tablespoons oil on each pan and spread around.
- Coat each chicken piece in the crumbs. Lay on prepared sheet pan, making sure there is space around each one. Spray tops of chicken with cooking spray (alternatively you can flip pieces around in the oil so both sides are coated in a thin layer of oil).
- Bake for 15 minutes, until golden at the edges and ready.
- Meanwhile, in a bowl, combine Sticky BBQ Sauce ingredients. When chicken is ready, toss with sauce immediately or use as a dipping sauce.
So excited to try this! We love the recipe from dinner done!!
Made this tonight! So so good!!!
Same here!! Was great
This was a hit!! Love the idea of putting oil underneat so it tastes fried and not baked
Made it tonight! Was yum! Thanks for posting!
Can’t wait to try it!
Everyone loved it!
Yum!! Thanks so much!!
If I want to freeze should I bake it first or freeze raw
Freeze raw. Defrost, spray with oil and bake fresh.
Can I skip the hot sauce?
So flavorful, so easy to make! Will definitely become part of our dinner rotation.
Just made this!! can’t wait to taste it!! so easy and simple to make!!!