Spicy Sweet Crackle: Baked Crunchy Hot Honey Chicken Recipe

Sizzling with flavor and golden-brown perfection, this baked hot honey chicken recipe delivers a mouthwatering twist on classic comfort food.

Sweet and spicy notes dance across crispy, tender chicken that promises to steal the show at any dinner table.

The hot honey glaze adds an irresistible kick that transforms ordinary poultry into an extraordinary meal.

Every bite brings a delightful balance of heat and sweetness that keeps you coming back for more.

Weeknight dinners just got a serious upgrade with this simple yet impressive dish.

The aroma alone will have everyone gathering around the table, eager to dig in.

Prepare to be the culinary hero who serves up a crowd-pleasing chicken experience that everyone will rave about.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

Calories: 550 kcal

Servings: 5

Ingredients for Baked Crunchy Hot Honey Chicken

• Chicken Breast Tenderloins: Lean, tender cuts perfect for quick cooking with excellent protein absorption and crispy coating potential.

• Cornflakes, Grated Parmesan Cheese: Delivers irresistible golden crunch with nutty cheese undertones, creating a crispy exterior that locks in chicken's moisture.

• Large Eggs: Acts as essential glue between chicken and crunchy coating, ensuring maximum flavor adherence and crispy texture.

• Honey, Hot Sauce: Provides balanced sweet-spicy profile with complex flavor layers that caramelize beautifully during baking.

• Smoked Paprika, Cayenne Pepper, Chipotle Chili Powder, Garlic Powder, Onion Powder: Crafts deep, multi-dimensional seasoning with smoky, warm, and aromatic notes that elevate chicken's natural taste.

• Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Sea Salt, Fresh Thyme/Cilantro/Parsley: Adds final flavor enhancement, brightness, and elegant herbal freshness to complete the dish.

Tools to Make Baked Crunchy Hot Honey Chicken

• Food processor or ziplock bag: Essential for crushing cornflakes and mixing dry ingredients.
• Mixing bowls: Two bowls needed for egg mixture and crumb coating.
• Baking sheet: Used for roasting chicken with parchment paper.
• Small saucepan: For preparing the hot honey sauce.
• Whisk or fork: Perfect for beating eggs and stirring sauce.
• Measuring spoons: Helps accurately add spices and seasonings.
• Parchment paper: Ensures easy cleanup and prevents sticking.

Cooking Instructions for Hot Honey Chicken

• Oven Preparation Temperature and Surface

Set your oven to a sizzling 425° F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper for hassle-free cleanup and easy serving.

• Crispy Coating Creation

Crush cornflakes with parmesan, spices, and salt into a fine, textured mixture that will give your chicken an irresistible crunch. A food processor or ziplock bag works perfectly for this step.

• Flavor Bath

Whisk eggs and hot sauce together, then lovingly coat each chicken piece to ensure maximum taste and moisture.

• Crumb Transformation

Dunk each saucy chicken piece into the crumb mixture, pressing gently to create a thick, even layer of crispy goodness. For extra crunchiness, repeat the egg and crumb process.

• Baking Magic

Arrange the coated chicken on the prepared baking sheet and drizzle with olive oil to enhance golden browning. Bake for 20-25 minutes until the exterior turns beautifully crisp and golden.

• Spicy Honey Drizzle

While chicken bakes, simmer honey with hot sauce and spices in a small pan. Stir until the sauce becomes smooth and fragrant.

• Final Touch

Remove chicken from oven, generously drizzle with warm honey sauce, and sprinkle fresh herbs for a vibrant finish. Serve immediately and enjoy your flavor-packed creation.

Tips for Crispy and Sweet Hot Honey Chicken

• Extra crispy techniques will elevate your chicken's texture by double-dipping in egg and crumbs, ensuring maximum crunchiness with every bite.
• Adjust hot sauce quantities to match personal heat tolerance, ranging from mild to fiery hot. Beginners can start with less sauce, while spice lovers can amp up the intensity.
• Prepare chicken coating and sauce separately up to 24 hours in advance. Store crumb mixture in an airtight container and refrigerate egg-coated chicken to streamline meal preparation.
• Replace cornflakes with gluten-free rice cereal or crushed pork rinds for a crispy alternative that maintains the recipe's signature crunch without wheat ingredients.
• Experiment with different cheese types like smoked gouda or sharp cheddar in the crumb mixture to create unique taste profiles that complement the hot honey sauce's bold character.

How to Serve Baked Crunchy Hot Honey Chicken

• Game Night Crowd-Pleaser: Serve these sizzling hot honey chicken pieces as the ultimate party snack that will have everyone reaching for more during movie marathons or sports viewing parties.
• Gourmet Salad Topper: Slice the crispy chicken into strips and scatter over a fresh green salad with mixed greens, cucumber, and a light vinaigrette for a protein-packed meal upgrade.
• Sandwich Sensation: Nestle these crunchy chicken pieces between soft brioche buns, add a slice of creamy cheese, and a drizzle of extra hot honey sauce for an epic lunch or dinner sandwich experience.
• Appetizer with Dipping Potential: Create a side of cool ranch or blue cheese dressing for guests to dunk these spicy, crispy chicken bites, making them perfect for casual gatherings and social events.

Save and Store Hot Honey Chicken the Right Way

• Fridge Fresh Storage: Keep leftover chicken in an airtight container for 3-4 days. Seal tightly to maintain crispiness and prevent moisture from softening the crunchy coating.
• Quick Reheating Trick: Restore crispiness by warming chicken in the oven at 375°F for 8-10 minutes. Avoid microwave methods that can turn the coating soggy and dull.
• Freezer Friendly Option: Wrap individual pieces in plastic wrap, then store in freezer-safe bags for up to one month. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating to maintain texture and flavor.
• Sauce Separation Strategy: Store hot honey sauce separately in a small jar with a tight lid. Refrigerate for up to a week, gently warming before drizzling over freshly reheated chicken to revive its zesty kick.

Irresistible Baked Honey Chicken Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.9 from 8 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Golden, crispy honey chicken creates a delightful meal that blends sweet and spicy flavors perfectly. Succulent chicken pieces coated in a zesty honey glaze will satisfy you with its irresistible crunch and complex taste profile.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 2 lbs (907 g) chicken breast tenderloins
• 6 cups cornflakes (gluten-free if needed)
• 2 large eggs, beaten
• ½ cup (170 g) honey
• 3 tbsps (45 ml) hot sauce
• ¼ cup (25 g) grated parmesan cheese
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 3 tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
• ¾ tsp chipotle chili powder
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• Sea salt
• Extra virgin olive oil, for drizzling
• Fresh thyme or cilantro or parsley

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Preparation: Preheat oven to 425°F (218°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup and non-stick surface.
2. Crumb Creation: Pulverize cornflakes, parmesan, paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, and salt in a food processor until transformed into fine, uniform crumbs.
3. Marinade Mixing: Whisk eggs with hot sauce to create a zesty coating, ensuring thorough chicken coverage.
4. Coating Process: Dredge chicken pieces through egg mixture, then generously roll in seasoned crumbs, pressing firmly to maximize crumb adherence. Repeat for extra crispiness if desired.
5. Baking Preparation: Arrange coated chicken on prepared baking sheet with slight separation, then lightly drizzle olive oil across pieces to enhance browning and flavor complexity.
6. Cooking: Roast in preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, rotating midway to ensure uniform golden-brown coloration and consistent crunchiness. Verify internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
7. Sauce Creation: Simultaneously simmer honey, hot sauce, cayenne pepper, chili powder, onion powder, garlic powder, and salt in a small saucepan, stirring until ingredients blend into a smooth, glossy mixture.
8. Finishing: Remove chicken from oven, immediately drizzle with warm spicy-sweet sauce, and garnish with freshly chopped parsley or cilantro.
9. Serving: Present immediately with optional additional sauce for dipping.

Notes

• Crumb Coating Tip: Press crumbs firmly onto chicken to create a thick, crispy exterior that locks in moisture and maximizes crunch.
• Temperature Check: Use a meat thermometer to confirm chicken reaches 165°F internally, ensuring food safety without overcooking.
• Oil Drizzle Technique: Light olive oil spray helps achieve golden-brown color and prevents dry chicken surface.
• Sauce Balancing Trick: Adjust hot sauce and honey ratio to personalize spice level and sweetness according to individual taste preferences.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 550
• Sugar: 14 g
• Sodium: 750 mg
• Fat: 16 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 69 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 38 g
• Cholesterol: 100 mg