Crispy Baked Hot Honey Chicken: Your New Favorite Comfort Meal Recipe
Crispy Baked Hot Honey Chicken is a perfect blend of sweet, spicy, and crispy textures that transforms everyday chicken breasts into a flavorful comfort meal. This recipe uses a crunchy cornflake breading and a sticky hot honey sauce, all baked to golden perfection for a healthier alternative to fried chicken, bringing bold flavors and satisfying crunch to your dinner table.
- Author: Joe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
For the Chicken
- 4 pieces Chicken Breasts (Thighs can be juicier if preferred)
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 1 teaspoon Black Pepper
- 0.5 tablespoon Nonstick Cooking Spray
For the Breading
- 1 cup Flour (almond flour can be a gluten-free substitute)
- 0.5 cup Light Brown Sugar
- 2 large Eggs
- 2 tablespoons Hot Sauce
- 4 cups Cornflakes
- 1 teaspoon Paprika
- 2 teaspoons Seasoning Mix (salt, chili powder, black pepper, and cayenne pepper)
For the Hot Honey Sauce
- 0.5 cup Honey
- 2 tablespoons Additional Hot Sauce
- 4 tablespoons Butter
- 0.25 cup Light Brown Sugar
- 2 tablespoons Apple Cider Vinegar
- 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder
- 1 teaspoon Onion Powder
- 1 teaspoon Mustard Powder
- Prepare Chicken: Pat chicken pieces dry with paper towels. Season both sides evenly with salt and black pepper. Lightly spray a baking dish or tray with nonstick cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Make Breading Mixture: In a shallow bowl, combine flour, light brown sugar, paprika, and seasoning mix. In another bowl, whisk together eggs and 2 tablespoons of hot sauce. Place cornflakes in a third bowl or shallow dish.
- Breading the Chicken: Dip each chicken piece first into the flour mixture, coating thoroughly, then dip into the spicy egg wash, and finally press into the cornflakes ensuring a thick, even layer of crunchy coating.
- Arrange and Spray: Place the breaded chicken pieces on the baking dish or tray. Spray the tops lightly with nonstick cooking spray to help the breading crisp during baking.
- Bake the Chicken: Preheat oven to 400°F (204°C). Bake the chicken for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C), ensuring cooked-through juicy chicken with a crispy crust.
- Prepare Hot Honey Sauce: While the chicken bakes, melt butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir in honey, additional hot sauce, light brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, garlic powder, onion powder, and mustard powder. Simmer for 3-5 minutes, stirring frequently until the sugar dissolves and the sauce thickens slightly.
- Coat the Chicken: Remove baked chicken from oven and brush generously with the warm hot honey sauce, ensuring all pieces are sticky and flavorful.
- Serve: Serve immediately, garnished with extra seasoning or fresh herbs if desired, alongside your favorite sides for a comforting, spicy-sweet meal.
Notes
- For juicier chicken, thighs can be used instead of breasts.
- Almond flour is a great gluten-free alternative for the breading flour.
- Adjust hot sauce amounts to control the spiciness to your taste.
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure perfectly cooked chicken without overcooking.
- Maple syrup and plant-based butter can make the recipe vegan-friendly with other adjustments.
- Serve with a fresh salad or roasted vegetables to balance the richness.
Keywords: hot honey chicken, crispy baked chicken, spicy chicken recipe, comfort food, baked chicken breasts, sweet and spicy sauce