Sweet Heat Popcorn Chicken

Super Bowl Super Big Hits

Although we typically eat these tasty little chicken bites served over rice as a main meal, we often serve them as an appetizer because they are SUPER good all by themselves!  They do have a kick, but as long as they are served to the weak-hearted with a glass a milk or side or side of ranch/blue cheese dressing and celery they will survive!...And these will probably be a big hit! Even my kids love these (though in my defense I have corrupted them, and in our home, the more heat the better...oops, mom's fault!) 

NOTE: There are several variations of this recipe floating all over the internet.  The first one I ever used, was pretty much the same ingredients plus Karo Syrup, it had a slightly stickier consistency, but with the brown sugar, I don't really think it is needed.

ANOTHER NOTE: I used to slave away and coat my own chicken, then when I was gone one night, my husband made them with frozen breaded chicken strips, and I've never looked back, these are quick to make when using already breaded chicken, though I prefer the popcorn chicken because I like the bite-size pieces best, but any will work.

Sweet Heat Popcorn Chicken

1/3 cup Frank's Brand Hot Sauce (trust me, this one works best)

1-1/2 cup brown sugar

1 Tbsp water

Breaded chicken strips or Popcorn chicken

-Mix ingredients in a sauce pan and cook over medium heat.  Cook until sugar is completely dissolved and mixture thickens slightly.  Remove from heat.

-Place Chicken strips in a 9x13 baking dish.  Bake chicken according to packaged directions.  Once chicken is done, gently pour a small amount of sauce over chicken and return to oven for 3-5 minutes until bubbly.  Remove from oven and coat with remaining sauce.  Serve warm.

ANOTHER ANOTHER NOTE: If serving as an appetizer, they are great coated, but sauce can also be made just for dipping,

ANOTHER ANOTHER ANOTHER NOTE: IF YOU THINK YOU CAN TAKE THE HEAT-haha, my family's favorite way to eat these, though it's typically too hot for guests, is a 2:1 ratio.  Two parts brown sugar to 1 part hot sauce.  Still adding water because it helps liquify slightly.

Enjoy!