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Baked Crunchy Hot Honey Chicken Recipe

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★★★★★

4.8 from 149 reviews

This Baked Crunchy Hot Honey Chicken recipe offers a perfect balance of crispy, golden-brown breaded chicken with a deliciously sweet and spicy hot honey sauce. It’s an easy-to-make baked chicken dish ideal for a flavorful weeknight dinner, combining crunchy panko coating with a sticky, tangy, and mildly spicy glaze.

Ingredients

Scale

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)

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat to ensure easy cleanup and prevent sticking.
  2. Prepare the chicken: Pat the chicken pieces dry with paper towels to ensure the coating sticks properly and results in a crisp crust.
  3. Mix the dry coating: In a shallow dish, combine flour, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and smoked paprika to create a flavorful breading base.
  4. Beat the eggs: In a separate shallow dish, beat the eggs until smooth to use as a binding agent for the breadcrumbs.
  5. Prepare the breadcrumbs: Place the panko breadcrumbs in a third shallow dish, which will give the chicken its crispy texture.
  6. Coat the chicken: Dredge each chicken piece first in the flour mixture, shaking off excess, then dip into the beaten eggs, and finally coat thoroughly with panko breadcrumbs. Press gently to ensure the breadcrumbs adhere well to the chicken.
  7. Arrange for baking: Place the breaded chicken pieces on the prepared baking sheet. Lightly spray the chicken with cooking spray or drizzle with olive oil to help the coating crisp up beautifully.
  8. Bake the chicken: Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes until the chicken is fully cooked (reaching an internal temperature of 165°F/74°C) and the crust is golden brown and crispy.
  9. Make the 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 the sauce becomes smooth and well combined.
  10. Add tanginess (optional): For an added layer of flavor, stir in apple cider vinegar or lemon juice to the hot honey sauce, balancing the sweetness with a touch of acidity.
  11. Coat the chicken with sauce: Once the chicken is baked and crispy, remove it from the oven and drizzle the hot honey sauce generously over each piece. For more intense flavor, toss the chicken in the sauce to achieve even coverage.
  12. Garnish and serve: Optionally garnish with fresh chopped parsley and sprinkle sesame seeds or crushed peanuts for additional crunch and flavor. Serve immediately with your choice of sides such as roasted vegetables, mashed potatoes, or a fresh salad.

Notes

  • You can use either chicken breasts or thighs depending on your preference; thighs will yield a juicier result.
  • Adjust the amount of hot sauce and red pepper flakes to control the spice level in the hot honey sauce.
  • Using panko breadcrumbs ensures the chicken crust is extra crispy when baked.
  • Lightly spraying or drizzling the crumb-coated chicken with oil helps achieve a golden crust without frying.
  • Ensure chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) to be fully cooked and safe to eat.
  • For a tangier sauce, don’t skip the optional vinegar or lemon juice—they brighten the flavor beautifully.
  • This dish pairs well with simple sides like steamed vegetables, roasted potatoes, or a crisp green salad.

Keywords: baked chicken, hot honey chicken, crispy chicken, panko chicken, sweet and spicy chicken, oven baked chicken, easy chicken recipe

Find it online: https://amayaharis.com/baked-crunchy-hot-honey-chicken-recipe/