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Baked Crunchy Hot Honey Chicken Recipe

Baked Crunchy Hot Honey Chicken Recipe

5.1 from 15 reviews

Baked Crunchy Hot Honey Chicken is a delicious, healthier alternative to fried chicken, featuring a crispy panko breadcrumb coating and a sweet, spicy hot honey glaze. Perfectly baked to golden perfection, this dish combines tender juicy chicken with a flavorful kick, ideal for an easy weeknight dinner or a crowd-pleasing meal.

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 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)
  • 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar or lemon juice (optional)

For Garnish (optional):

  • Fresh chopped parsley
  • Sesame seeds or crushed peanuts

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 for easy cleanup.
  2. Prepare the Chicken: Pat the chicken dry with paper towels. In a shallow dish, combine flour, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and smoked paprika. In another shallow dish, beat the eggs. In a third shallow dish, place the panko breadcrumbs. Coat each chicken piece first in the flour mixture, then dip in the beaten eggs, and finally coat with the panko breadcrumbs, pressing gently to help the crumbs stick.
  3. Bake the Chicken: Arrange the breaded chicken pieces on the prepared baking sheet. Lightly spray with cooking spray or drizzle with olive oil to help the coating crisp up. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) and the crust is golden brown and crispy.
  4. Make the Hot Honey Sauce: While the chicken bakes, combine honey, hot sauce, butter, and red pepper flakes in a small saucepan. Heat over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until butter melts and the sauce is smooth. Stir in apple cider vinegar or lemon juice for added tang if desired.
  5. Glaze the Chicken: Once baked, remove the chicken from the oven and drizzle the hot honey sauce generously over the pieces. For more saucy coverage, toss the chicken in the sauce before serving.
  6. Garnish and Serve: Garnish with fresh chopped parsley and sesame seeds or crushed peanuts if desired. Serve with your favorite sides such as roasted vegetables, mashed potatoes, or a fresh salad.

Notes

  • You can substitute chicken breasts with thighs for more tenderness and flavor.
  • Adjust the amount of hot sauce and red pepper flakes to control the spiciness.
  • For extra crunch, lightly spray the breaded chicken with oil before baking.
  • Use gluten-free flour and breadcrumbs if you want to make this recipe gluten-free.
  • Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days and reheat in the oven for best texture.

Nutrition

Keywords: baked chicken, hot honey chicken, crispy chicken, panko chicken, spicy honey chicken, easy dinner recipes, healthy fried chicken alternative