Quick Chicken Appetizers

While a whole chicken takes some time to bake, small sections of chicken, such as wings or thighs, can cook in less than 30 minutes. They can be spiced, glazed or dipped in a batter. Garlic, seasoned salt, dry dip mix, thyme or red pepper sprinkled on chicken rubbed with olive oil makes a quick and easy appetizer. Simple glazes include barbecue, honey garlic, buffalo and honey mustard sauce. Place a sheet of aluminum foil between the chicken and cooking pan to make clean up quick and easy as well.

Like baked chicken, grilled chicken can be cooked quickly in small pieces. Chicken kabobs with vegetables and fruit are especially quick to assemble and grill. Add bell pepper, pineapple, onion and mango to the skewer for extra flavor. Grill chicken wings that have been marinated in Thai sauce, peanut sauce or creamy dressing, or smother with barbecue sauce for a simple appetizer. Boneless breasts or thighs can be grilled and then chopped for use in a salad as an appetizer.

Cooked chicken can be made into finger sandwiches and wraps for quick and easy appetizers. Chicken-salad sandwiches, shredded chicken mixed with buffalo sauce or chicken chunks tossed in creamy dressing and topped with cheese and avocado are simple and delicious. Tortilla wraps can be made just as quickly and add visual interest. Sandwich ingredients can be wrapped in a tortilla, as well as chicken with bacon and jalapeno, salsa, grilled pineapple and cheese, or pine nuts and cheddar cheese and creamy dressing.

Chicken bites, similar to chicken nuggets, are also quick appetizers. They can be fried or baked. Beer batter or batter spiced with red pepper make easy fried chicken bites. Baked chicken bites can be marinated or smothered in creamy garlic dressing, Cajun sauce or mustard sauce. Chicken pieces rolled in almonds or pecans and a packet of dip mix and then baked also make quick but elegant appetizers.