Baked Crunchy Hot Honey Chicken Recipe

Introduction

This Baked Crunchy Hot Honey Chicken is a delightful blend of spicy, sweet, and crispy flavors that’s perfect for a satisfying meal. Coated in a crunchy cornflake crust and drizzled with a warm hot honey sauce, it’s a crowd-pleaser that’s simple to prepare.

Ingredients

• 6 cups cornflakes (use gluten free, if needed)
• 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 2 large eggs, beaten
• 2 tablespoons hot sauce
• 2 pounds chicken breast tenderloins
• Extra virgin olive oil, for drizzling
• 1/2 cup honey
• 2-3 tablespoons hot sauce
• 1-3 teaspoons cayenne pepper
• 3/4 teaspoon chipotle chili powder
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• Sea salt, to taste
• Fresh thyme, cilantro, or parsley, for serving

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Step 2: In a food processor, combine the cornflakes, parmesan, smoked paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, and a pinch of sea salt. Pulse until the mixture forms fine crumbs. If you don’t have a processor, crush the cornflakes in a ziplock bag by stepping on them, then mix in the other ingredients.
3. Step 3: Beat the eggs in a bowl and stir in 2 tablespoons of hot sauce. Add the chicken tenderloins and toss to coat evenly.
4. Step 4: Dredge the coated chicken through the cornflake crumbs, pressing lightly to cover fully. For an extra crispy coating, dip the chicken back into the egg mixture, then into the crumbs again. Arrange the coated chicken pieces on the prepared baking sheet. Drizzle the tops lightly with olive oil.
5. Step 5: Bake for 20-25 minutes, turning once if desired, until the chicken is cooked through and the coating is crispy and golden.
6. Step 6: While the chicken bakes, prepare the hot honey sauce. In a small saucepan, warm the honey, 2-3 tablespoons hot sauce, cayenne pepper (adjust to your preferred heat), chipotle chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, and a pinch of sea salt over low heat. Stir until combined and warmed through.
7. Step 7: When the chicken is done, drizzle the warm hot honey sauce over the pieces. Garnish with fresh thyme, cilantro, or parsley before serving. If the sauce thickens after sitting, gently rewarm it in the microwave for a few seconds.

Tips & Variations

• For a milder version, reduce the cayenne pepper and hot sauce in the sauce.
• Try substituting chicken thighs for a juicier result.
• Use gluten-free cornflakes to keep the dish gluten free.
• Serve with a side of cool ranch or blue cheese dressing to balance the spice.

Storage

Store leftover chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, warm gently in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10 minutes to maintain crispiness. The sauce can be stored separately in the fridge and reheated briefly before serving.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use chicken thighs instead of tenderloins?

Yes, chicken thighs work well and add extra juiciness, but adjust the cooking time slightly to ensure they’re fully cooked.

How spicy is this recipe?

The heat level can be tailored to your taste by adjusting the amount of cayenne pepper and hot sauce. You can reduce these ingredients for a milder flavor or increase them if you prefer more heat.

Baked Crunchy Hot Honey Chicken Recipe

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★★★★★

4.7 from 55 reviews

This Baked Crunchy Hot Honey Chicken recipe features crispy, oven-baked chicken tenderloins coated in a crunchy cornflake and parmesan crust, then drizzled with a sweet and spicy hot honey sauce. The combination of smoky paprika, chipotle chili powder, and cayenne pepper gives this dish a satisfying kick, while the honey balances the heat with natural sweetness. Perfect for a flavorful, healthier alternative to fried spicy chicken, this dish is easy to prepare and ideal for a weeknight meal or casual entertaining.

• Author: Elias
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Main Dish
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

For the Chicken Coating:

• 6 cups cornflakes (use gluten free, if needed)
• 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

For the Chicken and Egg Wash:

• 2 large eggs, beaten
• 2 tablespoons hot sauce
• 2 pounds chicken breast tenderloins
• Extra virgin olive oil, for drizzling

For the Hot Honey Sauce:

• 1/2 cup honey
• 2–3 tablespoons hot sauce
• 1–3 teaspoons cayenne pepper (adjust to heat preference)
• 3/4 teaspoon chipotle chili powder
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• Sea salt, to taste

For Garnish:

• Fresh thyme, cilantro, or parsley

Instructions

1. Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheet: Preheat your oven to 425° F (220° C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to ensure easy cleanup and to prevent sticking.
2. Make the Cornflake Coating: In a food processor, combine the cornflakes, grated parmesan cheese, smoked paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, and a pinch of sea salt. Pulse until the mixture forms fine crumbs. Alternatively, place the cornflakes in a ziplock bag and crush by stepping on them. Transfer the crumbs into a shallow bowl.
3. Prepare the Chicken for Dredging: In a separate bowl, beat the eggs and mix in 2 tablespoons of hot sauce. Add the chicken breast tenderloins and toss thoroughly to ensure each piece is evenly coated with the egg wash.
4. Coat the Chicken with Cornflake Mixture: Dredge each piece of chicken through the cornflake crumbs, pressing gently to cover fully. For an extra thick, crunchy coating, dip the chicken back into the egg wash and again through the cornflake crumbs. Arrange the coated chicken pieces in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet. Drizzle the chicken lightly with extra virgin olive oil to promote browning and crispiness.
5. Bake the Chicken: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the coating is crisp and golden brown, turning once halfway through if desired to ensure even crispiness.
6. Prepare the Hot Honey Sauce: While the chicken is baking, combine honey, 2 to 3 tablespoons of hot sauce, cayenne pepper, chipotle chili powder, onion powder, garlic powder, and a pinch of sea salt in a small saucepan. Warm the mixture over low to medium heat, stirring occasionally, until it is heated through and well combined. Adjust seasoning according to taste. If the sauce thickens too much, you can warm it briefly in the microwave before serving.
7. Serve the Chicken: Remove the chicken from the oven and immediately drizzle the warm hot honey sauce generously over each piece. Garnish with freshly chopped thyme, cilantro, or parsley for a burst of freshness and color. Serve hot and enjoy your crunchy, spicy, sweet hot honey chicken!

Notes

• For a gluten-free version, be sure to use gluten-free cornflakes.
• Adjust the cayenne pepper and hot sauce quantities in the sauce according to your preferred spice level.
• Using extra virgin olive oil to drizzle before baking helps achieve a crispier, golden crust.
• Double dredging the chicken (egg wash then crumbs twice) results in a thicker, crunchier coating.
• If the hot honey sauce thickens too much after standing, simply warm it briefly to loosen before drizzling.
• Fresh herbs like thyme, cilantro, or parsley add a fresh herbal contrast to the spicy-sweet flavor.

Keywords: baked hot honey chicken, crunchy chicken, spicy honey chicken, oven baked chicken tenders, cornflake crust chicken, sweet and spicy chicken