Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Baked Crunchy Hot Honey Chicken is a deliciously crispy and flavorful dish that combines the best of both worlds: the crunchiness of fried chicken and the ease of baking. The hot honey glaze gives the chicken a perfect balance of sweet and spicy flavors, while the baked coating gives it a satisfying crunch. It’s quick to make, requires no deep frying, and is healthier than traditional fried chicken, making it a great choice for a flavorful dinner. Plus, the hot honey sauce is incredibly versatile and can be used on a variety of meats and dishes.
Ingredients
For the Chicken:
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4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
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1 cup all-purpose flour
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1 teaspoon garlic powder
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1 teaspoon onion powder
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1 teaspoon paprika
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1 teaspoon salt
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½ teaspoon black pepper
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1 large egg
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1 tablespoon olive oil
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1 cup panko breadcrumbs (for extra crunch)
For the Hot Honey Glaze:
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2 tablespoons honey
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1 tablespoon hot sauce (like sriracha or Frank’s RedHot)
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1 tablespoon unsalted butter
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½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional, for extra heat)
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Pinch of salt
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
Directions
Prepare the Chicken:
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Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it with cooking spray.
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Make the Coating: In a shallow bowl, combine the flour, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. In another bowl, whisk the egg. In a third bowl, place the panko breadcrumbs.
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Coat the Chicken: Dip each chicken breast (or thigh) into the flour mixture, making sure to coat it completely. Then dip it into the egg, followed by the panko breadcrumbs, pressing gently to ensure the breadcrumbs stick. Place the coated chicken on the prepared baking sheet.
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Bake the Chicken: Drizzle the olive oil over the chicken for extra crispiness. Bake the chicken in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) and the coating is golden brown and crispy. Flip the chicken halfway through for even baking.
Make the Hot Honey Glaze:
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Cook the Sauce: While the chicken is baking, make the hot honey glaze. In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Stir in the honey, hot sauce, crushed red pepper flakes (if using), and a pinch of salt. Let the sauce simmer for about 2-3 minutes, until it’s slightly thickened.
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Glaze the Chicken: Once the chicken is done baking, remove it from the oven. Drizzle the hot honey glaze over the chicken, or brush it on for an even coating. You can also serve the glaze on the side for dipping.
Serve:
Serve your Baked Crunchy Hot Honey Chicken with your favorite sides, such as roasted vegetables, mashed potatoes, or a simple salad. Enjoy the perfect blend of heat and sweetness with each bite!
Servings and Timing
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Servings: 4
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Prep Time: 10 minutes
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Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
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Total Time: 35-40 minutes
Variations
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Add Garlic Butter: For an extra rich and flavorful twist, drizzle some garlic butter over the chicken after baking, before adding the hot honey glaze.
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Use Chicken Wings: Instead of breasts or thighs, use chicken wings for a fun, bite-sized variation. Just adjust the cooking time based on the size of the wings.
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Spicy Honey Mustard: For a tangy, spicy twist, mix honey mustard with a bit of hot sauce and drizzle it over the chicken instead of the hot honey glaze.
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Lemon Zest: Add some lemon zest to the glaze for a citrusy kick to balance out the sweetness and heat.
Storage/Reheating
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Storage: Store leftover chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
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Reheating: Reheat in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10 minutes, or until heated through. You can also microwave individual portions for 1-2 minutes.
FAQs
Can I use bone-in chicken for this recipe?
Yes, you can use bone-in chicken, but you’ll need to adjust the cooking time. Bone-in chicken will take longer to cook, around 30-35 minutes, depending on the size of the pieces.
How can I make the glaze spicier?
If you like more heat, you can increase the amount of hot sauce or add additional crushed red pepper flakes to the glaze.
Can I make this recipe ahead of time?
Yes, you can bake the chicken and make the hot honey glaze ahead of time. Store the chicken and glaze separately in the refrigerator, and then reheat them when you’re ready to serve.
Can I make this recipe in an air fryer?
Yes, you can cook the breaded chicken in an air fryer. Preheat the air fryer to 375°F (190°C) and cook for about 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the chicken is golden and crispy. Drizzle the hot honey glaze on after cooking.
Can I make this recipe gluten-free?
Yes, you can make this recipe gluten-free by substituting the all-purpose flour and panko breadcrumbs with a gluten-free flour and gluten-free breadcrumbs.
What can I serve with Baked Crunchy Hot Honey Chicken?
This dish pairs well with a variety of sides, such as roasted vegetables, sweet potato fries, mashed cauliflower, or a fresh garden salad.
Conclusion
Baked Crunchy Hot Honey Chicken is a flavorful, crispy, and perfectly sweet-and-spicy dish that’s easy to prepare and full of bold flavor. The combination of the crispy baked chicken and the hot honey glaze makes for an irresistible meal that everyone will love. Whether you’re serving it for dinner or as a fun appetizer, this recipe is a must-try for anyone who loves a little heat with their sweet!
Baked Crunchy Hot Honey Chicken
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
Baked Crunchy Hot Honey Chicken is a mouthwatering combination of crispy, juicy chicken with a sweet and spicy hot honey glaze. This healthier baked version of fried chicken delivers all the flavor and crunch without the extra oil. Perfect for dinner, weeknight meals, or as a crowd-pleasing dish, this recipe is easy to make and packs a punch of flavor.
Ingredients
For the Chicken:
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4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
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1 cup all-purpose flour
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1 teaspoon garlic powder
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1 teaspoon onion powder
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1 teaspoon paprika
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1 teaspoon salt
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½ teaspoon black pepper
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1 large egg
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1 tablespoon olive oil
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1 cup panko breadcrumbs (for extra crunch)
For the Hot Honey Glaze:
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2 tablespoons honey
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1 tablespoon hot sauce (such as sriracha or Frank’s RedHot)
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1 tablespoon unsalted butter
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½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional, for extra heat)
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
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Prepare the Chicken:
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Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it with cooking spray.
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In a shallow bowl, combine flour, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. In a second bowl, whisk the egg. In a third bowl, place the panko breadcrumbs.
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Coat each chicken breast (or thigh) in the flour mixture, then dip into the egg, followed by the panko breadcrumbs. Place the coated chicken on the prepared baking sheet.
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Drizzle olive oil over the chicken and bake for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the chicken reaches 165°F (74°C) and the coating is golden and crispy.
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Make the Hot Honey Glaze:
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While the chicken is baking, melt butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir in honey, hot sauce, crushed red pepper flakes (if using), and a pinch of salt. Let simmer for 2-3 minutes until slightly thickened.
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Glaze the Chicken:
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Once the chicken is done, remove it from the oven. Drizzle or brush the hot honey glaze over the chicken. Serve with extra glaze on the side if desired.
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Serve:
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Serve your Baked Crunchy Hot Honey Chicken with roasted vegetables, mashed potatoes, or a fresh salad for a balanced meal.
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Notes
For extra richness, drizzle garlic butter over the chicken before applying the hot honey glaze.For a fun variation, use chicken wings instead of breasts or thighs. Just adjust the cooking time accordingly.Spice it up further with additional hot sauce or crushed red pepper flakes.
