Irresistible Baked Crunchy Hot Honey Chicken Recipe for Dinner

Crispy golden chicken drizzled with hot honey promises an unforgettable culinary adventure.

Spicy sweetness dances across tender meat, creating a flavor explosion that captures your senses.

Weeknight dinners suddenly become extraordinary with this simple yet spectacular dish.

Home cooks can easily master these irresistible golden bites that bring restaurant-quality excitement to your table.

Unexpected ingredient combinations elevate this recipe from ordinary to extraordinary.

Delicate crunch meets bold heat in a perfect harmony that beckons you to take another bite.

Your taste buds will thank you for this mouthwatering experience that transforms an everyday meal into something spectacular.

Baked Crunchy Hot Honey Chicken: Spicy, Crispy, Crave-Worthy

• Quick Weeknight Hero: Transforms boring chicken into a crispy, zesty dinner that comes together in under 30 minutes with minimal kitchen effort.
• Crowd-Pleasing Flavor Explosion: Delivers a perfect balance of crunchy texture and sweet-spicy hot honey glaze that appeals to both kids and adults.
• Foolproof Cooking Method: Uses simple baking technique that eliminates complicated frying steps, making it accessible for home cooks of all skill levels.
• Budget-Friendly Gourmet Meal: Requires affordable ingredients and standard kitchen equipment, turning an everyday protein into a restaurant-quality dish without expensive techniques or hard-to-find ingredients.

Baked Crunchy Hot Honey Chicken Ingredient Mix

• Chicken Thighs or Breasts: Tender meat that becomes crispy and juicy when baked, boneless and skinless varieties work best for even cooking.

• Panko Breadcrumbs, All-Purpose Flour: Creates a light, crunchy exterior that provides texture and helps the coating stick to the chicken, Japanese-style panko gives extra crispiness.
• Eggs: Serves as a binding agent to help the breadcrumbs adhere to the chicken.

• Garlic Powder, Smoked Paprika, Salt, Black Pepper: Adds depth of flavor and warmth to the chicken, smoked paprika provides a subtle smoky note.

• Hot Honey: Brings sweet and spicy elements to the dish, adds a glossy finish and complex flavor profile.
• Melted Butter: Helps create a rich, golden coating and enhances overall moisture.

• Olive Oil: Helps prevent sticking and promotes even browning during baking.

Baking Baked Crunchy Hot Honey Chicken

Step 1: Create Golden Coating Stations

Set up three wide bowls for your chicken transformation.

In the first bowl, sprinkle flour generously.

In the second bowl, whisk eggs until smooth.

• Garlic powder
• Paprika
• Salt
• Black pepper

Blend these seasonings thoroughly to create a delicious crunchy mixture.

Step 2: Dress Chicken in Crispy Layers

Take each chicken piece and roll it first in flour, shaking off excess.

Next, dunk into beaten eggs, allowing complete coverage.

Finally, press into seasoned breadcrumb mixture, ensuring every inch gets a perfect crunchy armor.

Step 3: Prepare Baking Surface

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Lightly grease the surface to prevent sticking.

Carefully arrange coated chicken pieces with some space between them.

Step 4: Drizzle and Bake

Gently drizzle olive oil over chicken pieces.

This helps create extra golden and crispy exterior.

Slide the baking sheet into a preheated oven at 400°F.

Step 5: Achieve Perfect Crunch

Bake chicken for 20-25 minutes.

You’re looking for a gorgeous golden-brown color and an internal temperature of 165°F.

Chicken should look irresistibly crispy.

Step 6: Craft Hot Honey Glaze

While chicken bakes, combine hot honey and melted butter in a small bowl.

Whisk until beautifully blended.

Step 7: Glaze and Finish

Remove chicken from oven.

Brush hot honey mixture generously over each piece.

Return to oven for 2-3 minutes to caramelize the glaze.

Step 8: Serve and Savor

Transfer glazed chicken to serving plate.

Enjoy immediately while hot and wonderfully crunchy.

Crispy Coating Secrets for Baked Hot Honey Chicken

• Gently press breadcrumbs onto chicken to create a thicker, more even crust that ensures maximum crunchiness.
• Adjust hot honey mixture by adding more or less hot sauce depending on your heat tolerance and preference.
• Use a meat thermometer to guarantee chicken is perfectly cooked without drying out, hitting exactly 165°F.
• Place chicken on a wire rack over the baking sheet to allow air circulation and maintain crispy texture all around.
• Swap regular flour with gluten-free flour and use gluten-free panko breadcrumbs for those with dietary restrictions.

Save Crunchy Hot Honey Chicken And Reheat Crisp

• Store leftover chicken in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking, keeping it fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
• Preheat oven to 350°F, place chicken on a baking sheet, and warm for 10-15 minutes to maintain crispiness and prevent drying out.
• Warm chicken in a skillet over medium heat with a splash of oil, turning occasionally to restore crispy exterior and heat evenly.
• Wrap cooled chicken tightly in plastic wrap, then place in freezer-safe bag. Freeze for up to 3 months, thawing overnight in refrigerator before reheating.

Delicious With Baked Crunchy Hot Honey Chicken

• Refresh with Zesty Citrus Slaw: Combine tangy coleslaw with orange segments and lime juice to cut through the chicken's richness and balance spicy-sweet flavors.
• Complement with Cool Blue Cheese Dip: Whip up a creamy blue cheese sauce that neutralizes the hot honey's heat while adding a luxurious, smooth texture to each crispy bite.
• Match with Crisp Wheat Beer: Select a light wheat beer with subtle citrus notes that will cleanse the palate and enhance the chicken's crunchy coating without overwhelming its delicate spiciness.
• Serve Alongside Herb-Roasted Sweet Potato Wedges: Prepare golden sweet potato wedges seasoned with rosemary and thyme to provide a earthy, soft contrast to the chicken's crackly exterior.

Baked Hot Honey Chicken with Extra Crunch Options

• Gluten-Free Crunch: Replace wheat flour with almond flour or gluten-free breadcrumbs. Use cornstarch as an alternative coating for crispy texture.
• Spicy Herb Variation: Swap hot honey with sriracha maple syrup. Add dried thyme, rosemary, and cayenne pepper to breadcrumb mixture for extra kick.
• Low-Carb Option: Use crushed pork rinds instead of panko breadcrumbs. Substitute flour with ground almonds or coconut flour for protein-rich coating.
• Air Fryer Method: Follow same preparation steps but cook in air fryer at 375°F for 12-15 minutes. Reduce oil and achieve similar crispy exterior without traditional baking.

FAQs

• Can I use regular honey instead of hot honey?

You can substitute regular honey, but you’ll lose the spicy kick. For heat, add a pinch of cayenne or red pepper flakes to the honey mixture.

• What type of chicken works best for this recipe?

Chicken breasts or chicken tenders are ideal. Make sure they’re similar in size for even cooking and cut them into uniform pieces.

• How can I make the chicken extra crispy?

Use panko breadcrumbs and drizzle olive oil before baking. Don’t overcrowd the baking sheet, and let the chicken pieces have space between them for maximum crunchiness.

• Is this recipe gluten-free?

Not in its current form. To make it gluten-free, replace wheat flour with gluten-free flour and use gluten-free breadcrumbs or crushed gluten-free cornflakes.

Baked Crunchy Hot Honey Chicken Recipe

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4.8 from 14 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Spicy-sweet “Hot Honey Chicken” delivers crispy perfection with golden-brown breading and zesty honey glaze. Succulent chicken pieces promise a flavor explosion that satisfies cravings and makes dinner something special you cannot resist.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Proteins:

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts

Coating and Breading:

• 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
• 1/2 cup (120 ml) all-purpose flour
• 2 large eggs

Seasonings and Flavorings:

• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/4 cup (60 ml) hot honey
• 2 tablespoons melted butter
• 1 tablespoon olive oil for baking

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Instructions

1. Prepare the kitchen workspace by positioning the oven rack in the center and heating to 400°F (200°C). Cover a baking sheet with parchment paper and apply a light coating of cooking spray.
2. Create three separate shallow containers: the first filled with flour, the second containing whisked eggs, and the third holding panko breadcrumbs combined with garlic powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper.
3. Transform each chicken piece into a crispy delight by first dusting with flour, then thoroughly coating in beaten egg, and finally rolling in the seasoned breadcrumb mixture to create an even, textured exterior.
4. Arrange the breaded chicken pieces on the prepared baking sheet, maintaining space between each piece. Delicately drizzle olive oil across the top to enhance crispiness and golden color.
5. Transfer the baking sheet to the preheated oven and roast for 20-25 minutes, monitoring until the chicken turns a rich golden brown and reaches a safe internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
6. During the final cooking stage, whisk together hot honey and melted butter in a small mixing bowl to create a glossy, spicy glaze.
7. Remove the chicken from the oven and generously brush with the hot honey-butter mixture, then return to the oven for an additional 2-3 minutes to caramelize the glaze.
8. Allow the chicken to rest momentarily, then serve immediately while the coating remains crisp and the interior stays tender and juicy.

Notes

• Opt for chicken breasts of uniform thickness to ensure even cooking and prevent dry edges.
• Shake off excess flour and egg before coating with breadcrumbs to achieve a crispier, more even crust.
• Use a meat thermometer to accurately check chicken’s internal temperature, preventing overcooking and maintaining juiciness.
• For gluten-free adaptation, substitute all-purpose flour with almond flour and use gluten-free panko breadcrumbs.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 440
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 780 mg
• Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 8 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 36 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 26 g
• Cholesterol: 150 mg