Oh my gosh, you have to try these barbecue chicken cups! They’re my go-to party appetizer when I need something quick, delicious, and guaranteed to disappear fast. I first made them for a last-minute game night years ago, and now my friends won’t let me show up without them! The magic happens when crispy wonton cups meet that sweet and tangy barbecue chicken – it’s the perfect bite-sized flavor explosion. What I love most is how easy they are to throw together, even when I’m running late (which, let’s be honest, is most of the time). Rotisserie chicken makes it even simpler, and before you know it, you’ve got a crowd-pleasing snack that looks way fancier than the effort required!
Why You’ll Love These Barbecue Chicken Cups
Trust me, these little cups are absolute game-changers! Here’s why they never last more than five minutes at my parties:
- Crazy quick – From fridge to table in under 20 minutes (hello, last-minute host panic!)
- Perfect crunch – That golden wonton shell shatters just right against the tender chicken
- Flavor bomb – Sweet, smoky barbecue sauce clings to every shred of chicken
- Crowd pleaser – Kids devour them, adults sneak seconds, nobody guesses how easy they are
- Endless fun – Pile on toppings or dunk in extra sauce for interactive snacking
Seriously, I’ve brought these to everything from baby showers to tailgates, and they always steal the show!
The Simple Ingredients That Make Magic
Here’s the beautiful part – you probably have most of this in your kitchen already! My barbecue chicken cups shine because every ingredient plays its part perfectly:
- 1 cup cooked chicken – Shredded nice and fine (rotisserie chicken is my lazy-day hero!)
- 1/2 cup barbecue sauce – Use your favorite brand or homemade (I’m partial to that smoky-sweet kind)
- 12 wonton wrappers – Those square sheets hiding in the produce aisle
- 1/4 cup shredded cheese – Optional but oh-so-welcome (cheddar or Monterey Jack work great)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil – Just enough to make those wrappers crisp up golden
That’s it! Five simple things transform into party gold. The chicken should be shredded small enough to nestle perfectly into those crispy cups – big chunks just don’t behave right!
The Bare Minimum Tools You Need
Don’t stress – you likely have everything already! Here’s what I grab from my chaotic kitchen drawers:
- Muffin tin – Standard 12-cup works perfectly
- Mixing bowl – Any size for tossing chicken and sauce
- Pastry brush – Or just use your fingers to oil those wrappers
See? No fancy gadgets needed – just everyday tools for everyday deliciousness!
How to Make Barbecue Chicken Cups
Okay, here’s where the magic happens! I promise it’s easier than it looks – these little cups come together like a dream if you follow these simple steps. Just wait until you smell that barbecue goodness filling your kitchen!
Step 1: Prepare the Wonton Cups
First things first – preheat that oven to 375°F (190°C). While it’s heating up, grab your muffin tin and those pretty square wonton wrappers. Here’s the trick: gently press each wrapper into the muffin cup, letting the corners poke up. Don’t worry if they look messy – that’s part of their charm! Lightly brush each one with olive oil (I use my fingers when I can’t find the pastry brush…again). Pop them in the oven for about 5 minutes until they turn golden and crispy. You’ll hear them start to sizzle – that’s your cue they’re getting perfectly crisp!
Step 2: Mix the Chicken Filling
While those wrappers crisp up, let’s make the good stuff! In a bowl, combine your shredded chicken with barbecue sauce. I use about 1/2 cup sauce to start, then add more if needed – you want every strand of chicken nicely coated but not swimming. Mix it until the chicken turns that beautiful deep reddish-brown color. Pro tip: let it sit for a minute so the chicken really soaks up all that saucy goodness!
Step 3: Assemble and Bake
Now for the fun part – filling those crispy cups! Spoon the saucy chicken mixture into each wonton cup, filling them just to the top. If you’re feeling fancy (I always am), sprinkle on some shredded cheese – it melts into the most gorgeous golden blanket. Back into the oven they go for another 5 minutes, just until everything’s heated through and the cheese is bubbly. Watch them closely – they go from perfect to overdone in seconds! When you pull them out, let them rest for a minute (if you can resist) so the cups firm up. Then get ready for the compliments to roll in!
Tips for Perfect Barbecue Chicken Cups
After making these dozens of times (okay, maybe hundreds), I’ve picked up some foolproof tricks that’ll take your cups from good to “Oh-my-gosh-give-me-the-recipe” amazing:
- Rotisserie chicken is your best friend – Saves time and adds incredible flavor
- Taste your sauce first – Adjust sweetness or spice to match your crowd
- Shred chicken small – Big chunks make messy bites
- Watch those wontons – They burn fast once golden (I’ve learned the hard way!)
- Serve immediately – They lose their perfect crisp if left sitting
A little extra sauce on the side never hurt anyone either – dunk away!
Variations and Substitutions
One of my favorite things about these barbecue chicken cups is how easily you can mix them up! Here’s how I like to play around with the recipe:
- Extra crunch – Toss in some diced red onions or bell peppers
- Spicy kick – Mix in a teaspoon of chipotle powder to the sauce
- Gluten-free – Use gluten-free wonton wrappers (they crisp up beautifully!)
- Sweet & tangy – Top with pineapple tidbits before baking
- Dairy-free – Skip the cheese or use vegan shreds
Honestly, I’ve never met a version I didn’t like – that’s the beauty of this recipe!
How to Serve These Bad Boys for Maximum Wow Factor
Listen, these barbecue chicken cups shine bright enough on their own, but ohhh baby, when you pair them right? Game over. Here’s how I love to serve them:
- Extra sauce on the side – Ranch dressing for dipping is my guilty pleasure
- Fresh veggie crunch
- Pickle spears – That tangy bite cuts through the sweetness perfectly
- Cold beer – Because honestly, what goes better with barbecue?
– Celery sticks and carrot batons balance the richness
Arrange them on a pretty platter with garnishes – I swear they’ll disappear before you can say “second helping!”
Storing and Reheating Barbecue Chicken Cups
Okay, let’s be real – these rarely last long enough to store! But if you somehow have leftovers (magic!), here’s how to keep them tasty. Pop them in an airtight container for up to 2 days in the fridge. When reheating, skip the microwave unless you like soggy cups – instead, crisp them back up in a 350°F (175°C) oven for about 5 minutes. They won’t be *quite* as perfect as fresh, but they’ll still satisfy those barbecue cravings! Pro tip: If making ahead, prep the components separately and assemble just before serving for maximum crunch.
Nutritional Information
Just so you know, these numbers are estimates – your exact barbecue chicken cups might vary based on your sauce brand or cheese amount. Each little cup packs about 85 calories, with 5g protein to keep you going between snacks. They’re surprisingly light for how satisfying they taste!
Frequently Asked Questions
I get so many questions about these barbecue chicken cups at parties – here are the answers to the ones everyone seems to ask me!
Can I make these ahead of time?
You bet! Prep the wonton cups and chicken mixture separately up to a day in advance. Store the cups in an airtight container at room temp and keep the chicken mix refrigerated. Assemble right before baking for that perfect crisp texture – soggy cups are nobody’s friend!
Can I use homemade barbecue sauce?
Absolutely – and I highly recommend it! My homemade sauce makes these extra special. Just make sure it’s not too watery or the wontons might get soggy. Thicker, stickier sauces work best for clinging to that chicken.
Help! My wonton cups keep burning!
Oh honey, I’ve been there! The secret is watching them like a hawk after the 4-minute mark. Every oven runs differently, and those thin wrappers go from golden to burnt in seconds. Try rotating your pan halfway through for even browning.
Can I freeze these barbecue chicken cups?
They’re best fresh, but if you must freeze them, do it before baking. Fill the cups, then freeze solid on a baking sheet before transferring to bags. Bake straight from frozen, adding 2-3 extra minutes. The texture won’t be *quite* as perfect, but they’ll still satisfy that craving!
Share Your Feedback
Did you make these barbecue chicken cups? I’d love to hear how they turned out! Leave a comment below or snap a pic – your kitchen adventures make my day!
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5-Minute Barbecue Chicken Cups – Irresistible Party Bites
Barbecue Chicken Cups are a delicious, easy-to-make appetizer or snack. They combine tender chicken with barbecue sauce in a crispy wonton cup.
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 12 cups 1x
Ingredients
- 1 cup cooked chicken, shredded
- 1/2 cup barbecue sauce
- 12 wonton wrappers
- 1/4 cup shredded cheese (optional)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Lightly brush wonton wrappers with olive oil.
- Press each wrapper into a muffin tin cup.
- Bake for 5 minutes until crisp.
- Mix chicken with barbecue sauce.
- Fill each wonton cup with chicken mixture.
- Sprinkle cheese on top if desired.
- Bake for 5 more minutes.
- Serve warm.
Notes
- Use rotisserie chicken for quick prep.
- Adjust barbecue sauce to taste.
- Add diced onions for extra crunch.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Calorie
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 85
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 2g
- Saturated Fat: 0.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
