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
- 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
Instructions
- Preparation: Preheat oven to 425°F (218°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup and non-stick surface.
- Crumb Creation: Pulverize cornflakes, parmesan, paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, and salt in a food processor until transformed into fine, uniform crumbs.
- Marinade Mixing: Whisk eggs with hot sauce to create a zesty coating, ensuring thorough chicken coverage.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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).
- 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.
- Finishing: Remove chicken from oven, immediately drizzle with warm spicy-sweet sauce, and garnish with freshly chopped parsley or cilantro.
- 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