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Crispy Baked Hot Honey Chicken: Your New Favorite Comfort Meal Recipe

5 from 114 reviews

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.

Ingredients

Scale

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

Instructions

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. 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.
  7. Coat the Chicken: Remove baked chicken from oven and brush generously with the warm hot honey sauce, ensuring all pieces are sticky and flavorful.
  8. 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