Looking for a chicken recipe that hits all the right notes? Sweet, spicy, crispy, and juicy? This Baked Crunchy Hot Honey Chicken is the answer. Imagine tender, juicy chicken coated in a crispy golden crust, then drizzled with a sweet and spicy hot honey sauce that makes every bite irresistible. It’s baked instead of fried, so you get all the crunch without the extra grease. Whether you’re cooking for family dinner or prepping for a weekend feast, this dish will quickly become a go-to favorite!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe?
This Baked Crunchy Hot Honey Chicken is the perfect balance of flavors and textures. The crispy, crunchy exterior comes from a simple breadcrumb coating, while the sweet heat from the hot honey sauce takes the flavor to the next level. It’s baked, not fried, so you get all the satisfaction of crispy chicken with less mess. Whether you’re a fan of sweet and spicy combos or you just need an easy, flavorful chicken dinner, this recipe checks all the boxes.
Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to make this delicious chicken:
- Chicken thighs or breasts (your choice)
- Panko breadcrumbs
- Flour
- Eggs
- Garlic powder
- Paprika
- Salt and pepper
- Olive oil
- Hot honey or a mix of honey and hot sauce
- Butter
- Fresh parsley (optional for garnish)
(Full list of ingredients and measurements will be provided below)
Directions
Step 1: Prepare the Chicken
Start by preheating your oven to 400°F (200°C). Pat the chicken pieces dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture—this helps the coating stick better. Season both sides of the chicken with a little salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika for extra flavor.
Step 2: Bread the Chicken
Set up a breading station: In one shallow bowl, combine flour, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. In another shallow bowl, beat the eggs. In a third bowl, place the panko breadcrumbs. Dredge each piece of chicken in the flour mixture, then dip it into the beaten eggs, and finally coat it in the panko breadcrumbs. Press gently to make sure the breadcrumbs stick.
Step 3: Bake the Chicken
Place the breaded chicken pieces on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Drizzle with a little olive oil to help the coating get extra crispy as it bakes. Bake for 25-30 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the chicken is golden brown, crispy, and fully cooked (internal temperature should reach 165°F or 74°C).
Step 4: Make the Hot Honey Sauce
While the chicken is baking, prepare the hot honey sauce. In a small saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Once melted, stir in the hot honey (or a mixture of honey and hot sauce) and a pinch of salt. Stir until the sauce is smooth and heated through. If you like extra spice, feel free to add a few more drops of hot sauce to taste.
Step 5: Drizzle and Serve
Once the chicken is done baking, drizzle the hot honey sauce over each piece. For an extra touch, garnish with chopped fresh parsley. Serve hot and enjoy!
Expert Tips and Tricks
- Chicken Choice: Chicken thighs tend to be juicier and more forgiving, but chicken breasts work just as well. If using breasts, make sure they’re not too thick—use a meat mallet to pound them to an even thickness if needed.
- Extra Crispy: For an even crunchier coating, spray the chicken with cooking spray before baking or give it a quick spritz with olive oil to help the breadcrumbs get extra crispy.
- Make it Spicy: If you want more heat, increase the amount of hot sauce in the honey mixture or add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the breadcrumb mixture.
Recipe Variations and Possible Substitutions
- Make it Gluten-Free: You can easily make this recipe gluten-free by using gluten-free breadcrumbs and flour. The crispy texture will still be there, and the flavors will be just as delicious.
- Different Sauces: If hot honey isn’t your thing, try making a BBQ glaze or a sweet chili sauce for a different twist. You can also use a store-bought buffalo sauce for a tangy, spicy option.
- Add Some Cheese: A sprinkle of shredded cheddar or parmesan cheese on top during the last few minutes of baking will give your chicken a cheesy, gooey touch.
Serving and Pairing Suggestions
This Baked Crunchy Hot Honey Chicken is the star of the show, but there are plenty of great side dishes to serve alongside it:
- Roasted Vegetables: Try roasting some carrots, Brussels sprouts, or broccoli with olive oil, salt, and pepper for a healthy, savory side that complements the sweet heat of the chicken.
- Mashed Potatoes: Creamy mashed potatoes are always a great choice, and they’ll soak up any extra hot honey sauce.
- Coleslaw: The crunchiness of coleslaw pairs nicely with the crispy chicken and balances out the spice from the hot honey sauce.
- Corn on the Cob: Sweet corn on the cob with a bit of butter makes a delicious side dish that works well with this flavorful chicken.
Storage and Reheating Tips
Leftovers? No problem! Store the chicken in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat, pop it back in the oven at 375°F (190°C) for about 10-15 minutes, or until it’s heated through and the coating crisps up again. If you’re in a hurry, you can also reheat in the microwave, but the coating won’t be as crispy.
4 FAQs
- Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs?
Yes, chicken breasts work great too! Just be sure to adjust the cooking time, as breasts may cook a little faster than thighs. - Can I use regular honey instead of hot honey?
Absolutely! If you don’t have hot honey, you can make your own by mixing regular honey with a bit of hot sauce or chili flakes to taste. - Can I make this recipe in advance?
Yes, you can bread the chicken ahead of time and store it in the fridge for up to 24 hours before baking. You can also make the hot honey sauce ahead of time and store it in an airtight container in the fridge. - Can I fry the chicken instead of baking it?
Yes, if you prefer a fried version, you can fry the breaded chicken in a deep fryer or skillet with vegetable oil. Just make sure to cook it until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) for safety.
Conclusion
This Baked Crunchy Hot Honey Chicken is the perfect blend of crispy, juicy, and sweet with just the right amount of heat. It’s simple to make, yet full of flavor, and it’s bound to impress anyone you serve it to. Whether you’re serving it for a weeknight dinner or at your next get-together, this dish will have everyone coming back for seconds! Try it out, and enjoy the crunchy, sweet, spicy goodness!
Print
Baked Crunchy Hot Honey Chicken
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Baked Crunchy Hot Honey Chicken offers the perfect balance of sweet, spicy, crispy, and juicy. Tender chicken is coated in a crunchy, golden breadcrumb crust and topped with a sweet-spicy hot honey sauce, making it the perfect dish for any occasion—easy to make, baked not fried, and full of irresistible flavor.
Ingredients
- 4 Chicken thighs or breasts (your choice)
- 1 cup Panko breadcrumbs
- 1/2 cup Flour
- 2 Eggs (beaten)
- 1 tsp Garlic powder
- 1 tsp Paprika
- Salt and pepper (to taste)
- 2 tbsp Olive oil
- 1/4 cup Hot honey (or a mix of honey and hot sauce)
- 2 tbsp Butter
- Fresh parsley (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
-
Prepare the Chicken: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Pat the chicken dry with paper towels. Season both sides with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika.
-
Bread the Chicken: Set up a breading station:
- In one shallow bowl, combine flour, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.
- In another shallow bowl, beat the eggs.
- In a third bowl, place the panko breadcrumbs.
Dredge each piece of chicken in the flour mixture, dip it in the eggs, then coat it with the breadcrumbs. Press gently to ensure the breadcrumbs stick.
-
Bake the Chicken: Place the breaded chicken on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil for extra crispiness. Bake for 25-30 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden brown and cooked through (internal temperature 165°F or 74°C).
-
Make the Hot Honey Sauce: While the chicken bakes, melt the butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir in the hot honey (or honey and hot sauce mix) and a pinch of salt. Heat through and stir until smooth. Add extra hot sauce for more spice if desired.
-
Drizzle and Serve: Once the chicken is done, drizzle the hot honey sauce over the chicken. Garnish with chopped parsley if desired. Serve hot and enjoy!
Notes
- For extra crispy chicken, you can spritz with cooking spray before baking.
- If you prefer more heat, increase the hot sauce in the honey mixture or add cayenne pepper to the breadcrumb mixture.
- Chicken thighs are juicier, but chicken breasts work well too—just be sure to adjust cooking time accordingly.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 piece of chicken
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 13g
- Sodium: 850mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 75mg