
Description
This Baked Crunchy Hot Honey Chicken is a perfect balance of crispy, spicy, and sweet! Tender chicken is coated in a crunchy panko crust, then drizzled with a homemade hot honey sauce for a mouthwatering kick. It’s oven-baked for a healthier alternative to fried chicken while keeping all the crunch! Perfect for weeknight dinners, game nights, or meal prep!
Ingredients
For the Chicken:
- 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts (cut into strips or fillets)
- 1 cup buttermilk (or milk + 1 tbsp vinegar)
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
For the Crunchy Coating:
- 1 ½ cups panko breadcrumbs
- ½ cup crushed cornflakes (optional, for extra crunch)
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp olive oil (for coating)
For the Hot Honey Sauce:
- ¼ cup honey
- 1 tbsp hot sauce (like sriracha or Frank’s RedHot)
- ½ tsp cayenne pepper (adjust for spice level)
- ½ tsp red pepper flakes
- 1 tbsp butter (melted)
Instructions
Step 1: Marinate the Chicken
- In a bowl, mix buttermilk, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper.
- Add chicken pieces and coat well. Let marinate for at least 30 minutes (or overnight for best flavor).
Step 2: Prepare the Crunchy Coating
- Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and place a wire rack on top.
- In a bowl, mix panko, cornflakes, Parmesan, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper.
- Drizzle olive oil over the mixture and toss to combine.
Step 3: Coat the Chicken
- Remove chicken from the marinade and let excess buttermilk drip off.
- Coat each piece in the breadcrumb mixture, pressing firmly to stick.
- Place coated chicken on the wire rack for even crisping.
Step 4: Bake the Chicken
- Bake for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden brown and crispy.
Step 5: Make the Hot Honey Sauce
- In a small saucepan, warm honey, hot sauce, cayenne, red pepper flakes, and melted butter over low heat for 2 minutes.
Step 6: Finish & Serve
- Drizzle the hot honey sauce over the crispy chicken.
- Serve immediately with ranch, coleslaw, or mashed potatoes!
Serving Suggestions
- With Sides: Serve with roasted veggies, coleslaw, or mac & cheese.
- As a Sandwich: Layer in a brioche bun with pickles and slaw for a spicy chicken sandwich.
- With Dips: Enjoy with ranch, blue cheese dressing, or extra hot honey sauce.
Nutrition (Per Serving – Approximate)
- Calories: 380
- Protein: 35g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fat: 12g
- Fiber: 2g
Tips & Variations
- Extra Crunch: Double-coat the chicken by dipping it back into buttermilk and then breadcrumbs.
- Air Fryer Method: Cook at 400°F (200°C) for 12-15 minutes, flipping halfway.
- Spicier Version: Add more cayenne and red pepper flakes to the hot honey.
- Sweet & Smoky Twist: Add a teaspoon of smoked honey for extra depth.
Saving & Storage
- Refrigeration: Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Freezing: Freeze for up to 2 months. Reheat in the oven at 375°F (190°C) for 10 minutes.
- Reheating: Avoid the microwave; use an oven or air fryer for best crispiness.
Leave a Reply