Description
Baked Crunchy Hot Honey Chicken combines crispy, oven-baked chicken with a sweet and spicy hot honey glaze. This healthier twist on fried chicken delivers a crunchy, flavorful coating, balanced with the heat of hot sauce and the sweetness of honey.
Ingredients
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp cayenne pepper (adjust for spice level)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
- Olive oil spray (for baking)
- For the hot honey sauce:
- ¼ cup honey
- 2 tbsp hot sauce (adjust for heat preference)
- 1 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar (for tanginess)
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease with olive oil spray.
- In a shallow dish, combine flour, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, cayenne, salt, and pepper.
- In another dish, beat the eggs. In a third dish, mix the panko breadcrumbs and Parmesan cheese (if using).
- Dip chicken into the flour mixture, then the eggs, and finally the panko mixture. Press lightly to ensure the breadcrumbs stick.
- Place the breaded chicken on the prepared baking sheet. Lightly spray the tops with olive oil spray.
- Bake for 25–30 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy, and the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- For the hot honey sauce: In a saucepan, combine honey, hot sauce, butter, apple cider vinegar, and a pinch of salt. Stir until smooth and simmer for 1–2 minutes.
- Once the chicken is baked, drizzle or toss it in the hot honey sauce. Serve with your favorite sides.
Notes
- Make it spicier by adding extra cayenne pepper or hot sauce to the glaze.
- For a crispier chicken, double dip in the egg and breadcrumb mixture.
- Use gluten-free breadcrumbs and flour for a gluten-free version.
- Add minced garlic to the sauce for extra flavor or sprinkle garlic powder over the chicken before baking.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25–30 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 13g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 21g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
