Baked Crunchy Hot Honey Chicken Recipe

Introduction

This Baked Crunchy Hot Honey Chicken combines crispy panko-coated chicken with a sweet and spicy honey sauce that’s sure to excite your taste buds. It’s a simple bake that delivers maximum flavor and crunch without frying. Perfect for an easy weeknight dinner or casual get-together.

Ingredients

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs (about 1.5 lbs)
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)
• 2 large eggs, beaten
• 1 1/2 cups panko breadcrumbs
• 1/4 cup honey
• 2 tablespoons hot sauce (adjust to your preferred heat level)
• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
• 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
• 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar or lemon juice (optional)
• Fresh chopped parsley (optional, for garnish)
• Sesame seeds or crushed peanuts (optional, for garnish)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat for easy cleanup.
2. Step 2: Pat the chicken dry with paper towels to ensure the coating sticks well.
3. Step 3: In a shallow dish, mix the flour, salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and smoked paprika (if using).
4. Step 4: Beat the eggs in a separate shallow dish.
5. Step 5: Place the panko breadcrumbs in a third shallow dish.
6. Step 6: Coat each piece of chicken first in the flour mixture, then dip into the beaten eggs, and finally press into the panko breadcrumbs until evenly coated.
7. Step 7: Arrange the breaded chicken on the prepared baking sheet. Lightly spray with cooking spray or drizzle olive oil over the top to promote crispiness.
8. Step 8: Bake for 25-30 minutes, until the chicken is fully cooked (internal temperature 165°F/74°C) and the crust is golden and crunchy.
9. Step 9: While the chicken bakes, make the hot honey sauce by combining honey, hot sauce, butter, and red pepper flakes (if using) in a small saucepan. Heat over medium heat, stirring until butter melts and the sauce is smooth.
10. Step 10: Stir in apple cider vinegar or lemon juice if you want a tangy note in your sauce.
11. Step 11: Remove the baked chicken from the oven and drizzle the hot honey sauce over each piece. For more coverage, gently toss the chicken in the sauce.
12. Step 12: Garnish with chopped parsley and sesame seeds or crushed peanuts, if desired.
13. Step 13: Serve immediately with your favorite sides like roasted vegetables, mashed potatoes, or a crisp salad.

Tips & Variations

• Use chicken thighs for juicier meat or breasts for leaner options.
• Adjust the heat level by adding more or less hot sauce and red pepper flakes.
• For extra crunch, double-coat the chicken by repeating the egg and panko steps.
• Try swapping honey for maple syrup for a different sweetness profile.
• Add a pinch of cayenne to the flour mix for subtle heat inside the crust.

Storage

Store leftover chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10-15 minutes to restore crispness. The hot honey sauce can be reheated gently on the stove or in the microwave before drizzling.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use frozen chicken for this recipe?

Yes, but make sure to fully thaw the chicken and pat it dry before breading to ensure the coating sticks well and bakes evenly.

Is it possible to make this recipe gluten-free?

Absolutely! Substitute the all-purpose flour and panko breadcrumbs with gluten-free flour and gluten-free breadcrumbs, respectively, for a safe alternative.

Baked Crunchy Hot Honey Chicken Recipe

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★★★★★

4.4 from 53 reviews

• Author: Charlotte
• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x

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Description

This Baked Crunchy Hot Honey Chicken recipe features tender, juicy chicken breasts or thighs coated in a crispy panko crust and baked to golden perfection. Topped with a sweet and spicy hot honey sauce, this dish perfectly balances heat and sweetness for a delightful meal. Easy to prepare and bake, it’s a crowd-pleaser perfect for weeknights or entertaining.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

For the Chicken:

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs (about 1.5 lbs)
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)
• 2 large eggs, beaten
• 1 1/2 cups panko breadcrumbs (for extra crunch)

For the Hot Honey Sauce:

• 1/4 cup honey
• 2 tablespoons hot sauce (adjust to your preferred heat level)
• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
• 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for extra heat)
• 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar or lemon juice (optional, for tang)

For Garnish (optional):

• Fresh chopped parsley
• Sesame seeds or crushed peanuts (for added crunch)

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Instructions

1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat for easy cleanup.
2. Prepare Chicken: Pat the chicken dry with paper towels to ensure the coating sticks well.
3. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a shallow dish, combine the flour, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and smoked paprika for seasoning.
4. Beat Eggs: In another shallow dish, beat the eggs until smooth.
5. Prepare Breadcrumbs: Place the panko breadcrumbs in a third shallow dish, ready for coating.
6. Coat Chicken: Dredge each chicken piece first in the flour mixture, shaking off excess, then dip into the beaten eggs, and finally press into the panko breadcrumbs, ensuring an even and firm coating.
7. Arrange on Baking Sheet: Place the breaded chicken pieces on the prepared baking sheet. Lightly spray with cooking spray or drizzle with olive oil to promote crispiness.
8. Bake Chicken: Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked with an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) and the crust is golden and crispy.
9. Prepare Hot Honey Sauce: While the chicken bakes, combine honey, hot sauce, butter, and red pepper flakes (if using) in a small saucepan. Heat over medium heat, stirring occasionally until butter melts and sauce becomes smooth.
10. Add Tang (Optional): Stir in apple cider vinegar or lemon juice to the sauce for a subtle tang if desired.
11. Finish and Serve: Upon removing chicken from the oven, drizzle the hot honey sauce over each piece or toss chicken in the sauce for more coverage.
12. Garnish: Sprinkle with chopped parsley and sesame seeds or crushed peanuts for added flavor and crunch.
13. Serve: Pair with sides like roasted vegetables, mashed potatoes, or a fresh salad for a complete meal.

Notes

• For extra spicy heat, increase the amount of hot sauce or red pepper flakes in the sauce.
• Using chicken thighs instead of breasts will yield juicier results.
• Make sure to pat the chicken dry to help the breading stick better.
• Feel free to substitute panko breadcrumbs with gluten-free breadcrumbs for a gluten-free version.
• The hot honey sauce can be made ahead and reheated gently before serving.
• Use a meat thermometer to ensure perfectly cooked chicken without drying it out.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Keywords: baked chicken, hot honey chicken, crispy chicken, panko chicken, spicy honey chicken, easy chicken recipe, baked crunchy chicken