Crispy Oven-Baked Hot Honey Chicken Recipe: Fiery Goodness

Crispy chicken takes on a delightful twist with this hot honey chicken recipe that promises pure culinary magic.

Golden-brown pieces dance with a sweet and spicy glaze that tantalizes every taste bud.

The perfect blend of crunch and heat makes this dish a total crowd-pleaser.

Each bite delivers a remarkable balance of flavors that will keep everyone coming back for more.

Simple ingredients combine to create something extraordinary in your kitchen.

Serve this show-stopping chicken and watch as everyone asks for seconds.

Prepare to elevate your weeknight dinner with a recipe that’s both exciting and incredibly satisfying.

Why Baked Hot Honey Chicken Tastes Amazing

• Elevate your chicken game with a foolproof method that guarantees a crunchy, golden exterior that'll make everyone's taste buds dance.
• Easily adjust the hot honey glaze to match your heat tolerance, making this recipe a crowd-pleaser for both spice lovers and mild-flavor fans.
• Simple ingredients and straightforward steps mean you can whip up a restaurant-quality meal with minimal kitchen skills and cleanup.
• Combines kid-friendly crispy chicken with a sweet and spicy glaze that adds excitement to your typical weeknight dinner routine.

Ingredients for Crunchy Hot Honey Chicken

• Chicken Breasts: Lean and tender meat that serves as the main protein base for this crispy dish.

• All-Purpose Flour: Creates a dry base layer that helps the egg and cornflake coating stick to the chicken.
• Eggs: Act as a binding agent to help the cornflake coating adhere to the chicken.
• Cornflakes: Provide a crunchy and flavorful exterior coating for the chicken.

• Garlic Powder, Paprika, Salt, Pepper: Blend of spices that add depth and enhance the overall flavor of the chicken coating.

• Honey, Hot Sauce, Butter, Apple Cider Vinegar: A combination that creates a sweet, tangy, and spicy glaze to complement the crunchy chicken.

• Cooking Spray or Vegetable Oil: Helps prevent sticking and promotes even browning on the wire rack.

How to Bake Hot Honey Chicken

Step 1: Prepare Baking Setup

Preheat the oven to 375°F.

Place a wire rack on a baking sheet and lightly grease it with cooking spray.

This ensures the chicken stays crispy and prevents sticking.

Step 2: Create Breading Station

• Flour
• Beaten eggs
• Crushed cornflakes

• Garlic powder
• Paprika
• Salt
• Pepper

Crush cornflakes by placing them in a zip-top bag and rolling with a rolling pin.

Step 3: Bread the Chicken

• Dredging in flour, shaking off excess
• Dipping in beaten eggs
• Pressing into cornflake mixture thoroughly

Ensure complete coverage for maximum crunch.

Step 4: Bake the Chicken

Place breaded chicken on the prepared wire rack.

Bake for 25-30 minutes until golden brown.

Use a meat thermometer to check internal temperature reaches 165°F.

Step 5: Prepare Hot Honey Glaze

• Honey
• Hot sauce
• Melted butter
• Apple cider vinegar

Adjust heat and sweetness by adding more hot sauce or honey to taste.

Step 6: Finish and Serve

Remove chicken from oven and immediately brush with hot honey glaze.

Allow to cool for a few minutes so glaze can set before serving.

Tips for a Crispy Hot Honey Finish

• Crush cornflakes thoroughly in a sealed bag using a rolling pin to ensure an extra crispy, even coating that sticks perfectly to the chicken.
• Use a meat thermometer to check internal temperature, aiming precisely for 165°F (74°C) to guarantee juicy chicken without overcooking.
• Adjust the hot honey glaze by adding more hot sauce for extra kick or more honey for sweetness, tailoring the flavor to personal preference.
• Press cornflake mixture firmly onto chicken, ensuring complete coverage and maximum crunchiness for a restaurant-quality texture.
• Brush hot honey glaze immediately after baking while chicken is still hot, allowing the glaze to penetrate and enhance the crispy coating.

How to Store Hot Honey Chicken

• Seal cooled chicken in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Ensure the container is shallow to maintain crispiness and prevent moisture buildup.
• Wrap individual chicken pieces tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe bag. Freeze for maximum 2 months. Label the bag with the date to track freshness.
• Preheat oven to 350°F. Place chicken on a wire rack over a baking sheet to restore crunchiness. Heat for 10-15 minutes until internal temperature reaches 165°F. Avoid microwaving to prevent soggy coating.
• Warm chicken at 375°F for 3-4 minutes. Check midway to ensure even heating and maintain crispy exterior. Lightly spray with oil to refresh the crunchy coating.

What Pairs with Hot Honey Chicken

• Spice Up Your Serving: Complementary Flavor Companions
• Pair the crispy hot honey chicken with a tangy blue cheese coleslaw that cuts through the sweetness and adds creamy coolness to balance the dish's heat.
• Cool Beverage Refresh: Citrus Quencher
• Serve with a chilled lemon-lime sparkling water or a light wheat beer to neutralize the spiciness and cleanse the palate between bites.
• Southern-Style Side Kick: Creamy Comfort
• Complement the chicken with creamy mac and cheese or buttery corn pudding, which will soften the dish's spicy edges and provide a rich, comforting counterpoint.
• Zesty Green Balance: Herb-Packed Salad
• Add a crisp arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette to introduce a fresh, peppery note that cuts through the chicken's richness and provides a lighter contrast.

Bold Flavor Variations to Try

• Gluten-Free Crunch: Swap wheat flour with almond or coconut flour, use gluten-free cornflakes or crushed gluten-free rice cereal for coating. Perfect for those avoiding gluten.
• Spicy Jalapeño Kick: Replace hot sauce with fresh diced jalapeños in the honey glaze. Mix chopped jalapeños directly into the glaze for an extra spicy version that adds fresh heat.
• Low-Carb Keto Option: Use crushed pork rinds instead of cornflakes for coating. Replace honey with sugar-free maple syrup or monk fruit sweetener to maintain glaze consistency while keeping carbs low.
• Dairy-Free Alternative: Substitute beaten eggs with buttermilk or almond milk mixed with a tablespoon of ground flaxseed. Use olive oil instead of butter in the glaze for a completely dairy-free preparation.

FAQs

• What makes the cornflake coating so crunchy?

The key is crushing the cornflakes finely and pressing them firmly into the chicken. Rolling the cornflakes in a zip-top bag with a rolling pin creates perfect small, uniform pieces that stick better to the chicken and create an extra crispy exterior.

• Can I use a different type of hot sauce?

Absolutely! You can swap out the hot sauce with sriracha, buffalo sauce, or even chili garlic sauce. Each will give a slightly different flavor profile to the hot honey glaze while maintaining the spicy kick.

• How do I know the chicken is fully cooked?

Use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). This ensures the chicken is safely cooked through without becoming dry. The golden-brown crust is also a good visual indicator of doneness.

• Is the wire rack really necessary for baking?

Yes, the wire rack is crucial. It allows hot air to circulate around the entire chicken, preventing the bottom from getting soggy and helping to create an all-around crispy coating. This method ensures your chicken stays crunchy on all sides.

Baked Crunchy Hot Honey Chicken Recipe

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4.7 from 40 reviews

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Spicy meets sweet in this mouthwatering Hot Honey Chicken recipe that delivers a perfect balance of crispy texture and zesty flavor. Crisp golden chicken glazed with honey and chili transforms your dinner into a culinary adventure you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein:

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

Dry Coating Ingredients:

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 cups cornflakes cereal, crushed
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Wet Ingredients and Glaze:

• 2 eggs, beaten
• 1/4 cup honey
• 2 tablespoons hot sauce
• 1 tablespoon melted butter
• 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
• Cooking spray or vegetable oil (for greasing)

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Instructions

1. Prepare the oven at 375°F and position a wire rack over a baking sheet, lightly greasing it to ensure optimal crispiness and prevent coating adhesion.
2. Create three separate breading stations: one with flour, another with beaten eggs, and the third with crushed cornflakes seasoned with garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Crush cornflakes by rolling them in a sealed zip-top bag for efficient preparation.
3. Thoroughly coat each chicken breast by first dredging in flour, removing excess, then dipping in eggs, and finally pressing firmly into the cornflake mixture to create a robust, crunchy exterior.
4. Arrange breaded chicken on the prepared wire rack and bake for 25-30 minutes. Verify doneness by checking the internal temperature reaches 165°F using a meat thermometer to guarantee perfect cooking without drying.
5. Simultaneously prepare the hot honey glaze by whisking together honey, hot sauce, melted butter, and apple cider vinegar. Adjust the flavor profile by adding more hot sauce for heat or honey for sweetness.
6. Once baked, immediately brush the hot honey glaze over the crispy chicken, allowing the residual heat to help the glaze penetrate the coating. Allow a brief resting period to let the glaze set before serving.

Notes

• Crushing cornflakes in a sealed bag prevents messy crumbs and ensures uniform, fine breadcrumb-like texture for consistent coating.
• Using a wire rack allows hot air to circulate around the chicken, creating an evenly crispy exterior without soggy bottom spots.
• Always check chicken’s internal temperature with a meat thermometer to guarantee food safety and prevent overcooking, which dries out meat.
• Adjust hot honey glaze heat level by carefully increasing hot sauce or adding cayenne pepper for spice lovers who want extra kick.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 450
• Sugar: 12 g
• Sodium: 550 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 52 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 25 g
• Cholesterol: 120 mg