Baked Crunchy Hot Honey Chicken

Description

This Baked Crunchy Hot Honey Chicken is the perfect combination of crispy, golden-baked chicken with a bold, sweet, and spicy hot honey drizzle. It’s healthier than fried chicken, thanks to oven-baking (or air frying), but still delivers that satisfying crunch. Perfect for dinner, game days, or meal prep!

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Ingredients

For the Chicken:

• 1 lb (450g) boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs (cut into strips or whole)
• 1 cup buttermilk (or milk with 1 tsp vinegar)
• 1 tsp hot sauce (optional, for extra heat)
• 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
• ½ cup crushed cornflakes (for extra crunch)
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional but adds flavor)
• ½ tsp garlic powder
• ½ tsp onion powder
• ½ tsp smoked paprika
• ½ tsp salt
• ½ tsp black pepper
• 1 tbsp olive oil or melted butter (to help crisp up the coating)

For the Hot Honey Glaze:

• ¼ cup honey
• 1-2 tsp hot sauce (adjust to taste; use Sriracha or cayenne-based hot sauce)
• ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional for extra heat)
• 1 tsp apple cider vinegar or lemon juice (for balance)

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Instructions

Step 1: Marinate the Chicken

1. In a bowl, mix buttermilk with hot sauce.
2. Add the chicken and let it marinate for at least 30 minutes (or overnight for extra tenderness).

Step 2: Prepare the Coating

3. In a shallow dish, combine panko breadcrumbs, crushed cornflakes, Parmesan, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper.
4. Drizzle olive oil or melted butter over the mixture and toss to coat evenly.

Step 3: Coat the Chicken

5. Remove chicken from buttermilk, letting excess drip off.
6. Dredge each piece in the breadcrumb mixture, pressing lightly to ensure the coating sticks.

Step 4: Bake the Chicken

7. Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C).
8. Place chicken on a greased wire rack over a baking sheet (this helps it crisp up).
9. Bake for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden brown and cooked through (internal temp: 165°F/74°C).

Step 5: Make the Hot Honey Glaze

10. While chicken bakes, heat honey, hot sauce, red pepper flakes, and apple cider vinegar in a small saucepan over low heat for 2 minutes.
11. Stir well and remove from heat.

Step 6: Drizzle & Serve

12. Drizzle hot honey over crispy chicken right before serving.
13. Garnish with fresh parsley, extra red pepper flakes, or a squeeze of lemon (optional).

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Nutrition (Per Serving – Approximate)

• Calories: 350
• Protein: 32g
• Carbohydrates: 30g
• Fat: 10g
• Fiber: 2g
• Sugar: 9g

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Tips & Variations

• Air Fryer Method: Cook at 400°F (200°C) for 12-15 minutes, flipping halfway.
• Extra Crunchy: Double-coat the chicken by dipping back into buttermilk and breadcrumbs.
• Make It Spicier: Add more hot sauce to the glaze or mix cayenne into the breadcrumb coating.
• Dairy-Free Option: Use dairy-free milk and skip Parmesan.
• Gluten-Free Option: Use gluten-free panko and cornflakes.

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Saving & Storage

• Refrigeration: Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
• Reheating: Reheat in the oven at 375°F (190°C) for 5-7 minutes or air fryer for 3-5 minutes to maintain crispiness.
• Freezing: Freeze breaded (uncooked) chicken for up to 2 months; bake straight from frozen at 400°F for 25-30 minutes.