Baked Crunchy Hot Honey Chicken Recipe

Irresistibly Crispy Baked Hot Honey Chicken Recipe

Crispy chicken wings glazed with hot honey create a mouthwatering sensation that will make you crave every single bite.

Sweet and spicy notes dance across perfectly golden-brown surfaces, promising an unforgettable meal.

Weeknight dinners deserve something extraordinary, and this recipe delivers intense flavor without complicated techniques.

Crunchy textures complement the sticky-sweet coating that caramelizes beautifully during baking.

Kitchen experiments often lead to incredible discoveries, and these hot honey chicken wings prove that simple ingredients can produce remarkable results.

Unexpected combinations of heat and sweetness guarantee everyone around the table will be asking for seconds.

You’ll want to bookmark this recipe for those moments when ordinary meals just won’t cut it.

Ingredients That Bring the Crunch and Heat

Main Protein:
  • Chicken Breasts: Lean protein that forms the base of the dish, tender and perfect for a crispy coating.
Breading and Coating Ingredients:
  • Flour: Creates a smooth base layer for egg and breading to stick, helps achieve a crisp exterior.
  • Eggs: Helps breading adhere to chicken, provides binding and extra golden color.
  • Cornflakes: Provides a super crunchy texture, adds a nice golden crispiness to the chicken.
  • Garlic Powder: Adds savory depth and aromatic flavor to the breading.
  • Paprika: Brings warm color and subtle smoky taste to the coating.
  • Salt and Pepper: Essential seasonings for balanced flavor enhancement.
Glaze and Finishing Ingredients:
  • Honey: Provides natural sweetness and helps create a glossy, sticky coating.
  • Hot Sauce: Adds spicy kick and complex flavor to the glaze.
  • Butter: Brings richness and helps blend glaze ingredients smoothly.
  • Vinegar: Offers tangy balance to the sweet and spicy glaze.
Cooking Accessories:
  • Parchment Paper: Prevents sticking and makes cleanup easier.
  • Wire Rack: Allows air circulation for even, crispy cooking.
  • Cooking Spray or Oil: Helps achieve extra crispiness and prevents drying.

How to Make Hot Honey Chicken in the Oven

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Crank the oven to a blazing 425°F (220°C). Grab a baking sheet and line it with parchment paper. Place a wire rack on top and give it a quick spritz of cooking spray.

Step 2: Create Crispy Coating Stations

Set up three shallow dishes for your chicken transformation:
  • First dish: All-purpose flour
  • Second dish: Whisked eggs
  • Third dish: Crunchy coating mix with:
  • Crushed cornflakes
  • Garlic powder
  • Paprika
  • Salt
  • Black pepper

Step 3: Transform Chicken into Crispy Masterpiece

Dive each chicken piece through the stations:
  • First, dust with flour
  • Next, dive into egg wash
  • Finally, press firmly into cornflake mixture for maximum crunch

Step 4: Bake to Golden Perfection

Arrange chicken on the prepared rack. Lightly mist with oil to boost crispiness. Slide into the oven and bake for 25-30 minutes until golden brown and internal temperature hits 165°F (74°C).

Step 5: Craft Fiery Sweet Glaze

While chicken bakes, whip together:
  • Honey
  • Hot sauce
  • Melted butter
  • Vinegar

Step 6: Glaze and Devour

Brush the spicy honey glaze generously over the crispy chicken. Serve immediately with your favorite sides and watch everyone’s eyes light up!

Pro Tips to Keep the Texture Just Right

  • Maximize Crispiness: Crush cornflakes finely and press firmly onto chicken for an extra crunchy exterior that'll make every bite satisfying.
  • Temperature Precision: Use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken reaches exactly 165F, guaranteeing juicy meat without overcooking.
  • Glaze Application Trick: Brush hot honey sauce immediately after baking so it caramelizes and creates a glossy, flavor-packed coating.
  • Customize Heat Level: Adjust hot sauce quantity to control spiciness- less for mild, more for adventurous taste buds.
  • Prep Ahead Strategy: Bread chicken in advance and refrigerate for 30 minutes before baking to help breading adhere better and create crunchier texture.

Storage Tips for Chicken Leftovers

  • Store leftover chicken in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days in the refrigerator. Cool completely before sealing to prevent condensation.
  • Restore crispiness by placing chicken on a baking sheet at 350F for 10-15 minutes. Avoid microwave to maintain the crunchy coating.
  • Wrap individual pieces tightly in plastic wrap, then place in freezer bags. Freeze for up to 1 month. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
  • Drizzle a little extra hot honey just before serving reheated chicken to revive its zesty flavor and moisture.

Best Foods to Serve with Hot Honey Chicken

  • Pair with Creamy Coleslaw- Tangy, cool coleslaw balances the hot honey chicken's fiery kick, offering a refreshing counterpoint to the crispy, spicy meat.
  • Reach for a Cold Beer- A crisp, light lager or pale ale cuts through the richness of the chicken, cleansing the palate with its bubbly, refreshing character.
  • Cool Down with Ranch Dipping Sauce- Creamy ranch provides a smooth, cooling effect that complements the chicken's heat, creating a delightful flavor and temperature contrast.
  • Elevate with Pickled Vegetable Salad- Zesty pickled vegetables add a bright, acidic element that enhances the chicken's sweet and spicy glaze, bringing complexity to the meal.

Different Takes on This Hot Honey Chicken Recipe

  • Gluten-Free Crunch: Replace regular flour with gluten-free flour blend and use crushed gluten-free cornflakes or rice cereal for a celiac-friendly version.
  • Spicy Herb Remix: Swap hot sauce with sriracha and add dried herbs like thyme or rosemary to the cornflake coating for an herbal kick.
  • Low-Carb Protein Style: Substitute cornflakes with crushed pork rinds or almond flour for a keto-friendly chicken option with zero grains.
  • Dairy-Free Alternative: Use olive oil instead of butter in the glaze and swap eggs with plant-based egg replacer or buttermilk for those avoiding dairy products.

Why Baked Crunchy Hot Honey Chicken Hits the Spot

  • Transform ordinary chicken into a restaurant-worthy meal that impresses without complex techniques.
  • Cornflake breading guarantees a satisfyingly crispy exterior that stays crunchy, delivering texture in every single bite.
  • Prepares in under 45 minutes from start to finish, making it perfect for busy households craving delicious, home-cooked meals.
  • Adjust hot sauce quantities to create mild, medium, or fiery versions that suit everyone's spice tolerance, ensuring crowd-pleasing results.
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Baked Crunchy Hot Honey Chicken Recipe

Baked Crunchy Hot Honey Chicken Recipe


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4.7 from 22 reviews

  • Total Time: 40 minutes
  • Yield: 4 1x

Description

Spicy Korean Hot Honey Chicken delivers crispy, golden perfection with a sweet-heat kick that dances across your palate. Irresistible flavors blend seamlessly, promising you a mouthwatering culinary adventure that satisfies deep cravings for bold, memorable comfort food.


Ingredients

Scale

Protein:

  • 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (113.4 grams)

Coating and Seasoning:

  • 1 cup (120 grams) all-purpose flour
  • 2 large eggs, beaten
  • 2 cups (56 grams) cornflakes, crushed
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper

Cooking and Glaze Ingredients:

  • Olive oil or cooking spray
  • ¼ cup (84 grams) honey
  • 2 tablespoons hot sauce (adjust to taste)
  • 1 tablespoon melted butter
  • 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar

Instructions

  1. Prepare the baking workspace by positioning a wire rack atop a parchment-lined baking sheet. Generously mist the rack with cooking spray to prevent sticking and enhance crispiness.
  2. Create three distinct breading stations using shallow dishes. Fill the first with flour, the second with whisked eggs, and the third with a blend of crushed cornflakes, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper.
  3. Transform each chicken breast into a crispy masterpiece by first dusting with flour, then fully submerging in egg wash, allowing excess to drip away. Firmly press the chicken into the cornflake mixture, ensuring a comprehensive, textured coating.
  4. Position the breaded chicken pieces on the prepared rack, maintaining slight separation between each piece. Delicately mist the chicken with additional oil to promote a golden, crunchy exterior.
  5. Slide the baking sheet into a preheated 425F (220C) oven. Roast for approximately 25-30 minutes, monitoring until the chicken achieves a rich golden-brown color and reaches a safe internal temperature of 165F (74C).
  6. Simultaneously craft the glaze by whisking together honey, hot sauce, melted butter, and a splash of vinegar in a small mixing bowl. The combination will create a sweet and spicy flavor profile.
  7. Once chicken emerges from the oven, immediately brush with the prepared hot honey glaze, ensuring each piece is generously coated. Serve immediately alongside preferred accompaniments for a delectable meal.

Notes

  • Check chicken thickness to ensure even cooking, pounding breasts to uniform 1/2-inch thickness helps prevent dry edges.
  • Crush cornflakes coarsely for maximum crunch, using rolling pin or food processor for consistent texture.
  • Use instant-read thermometer for precise doneness, avoiding overcooking which dries out chicken.
  • Customize heat level by adjusting hot sauce quantity, letting personal spice preference guide glaze intensity.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Category: Dinner, Snacks
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 4
  • Calories: 450
  • Sugar: 14 g
  • Sodium: 600 mg
  • Fat: 18 g
  • Saturated Fat: 7 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 48 g
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Protein: 25 g
  • Cholesterol: 150 mg
Daves Miller

Daves Miller

Contributing Chef & Culinary Educator

Expertise

  • American Southern cuisine with a modern twist.
  • Instruction in culinary fundamentals and advanced techniques.
  • Development of recipes that highlight seasonal and local produce.​
  • Mastery of artisanal bread and pastry techniques, from laminated doughs to decorative sugar artistry.

Education

Sullivan University, Louisville, Kentucky

  • Degree: Associate of Science Degree in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Specialized in cooking techniques and culinary sciences, hands‑on externships, professional kitchen lab training, and career preparation for restaurants, entrepreneurship, and global culinary opportunities.

White Mountains Community College, Berlin, New Hampshire

  • Program: Baking and Pastry Arts degree
  • Focus: Specialized in comprehensive baking and pastry arts, including bread making, artisan breads, cake decorating and design, chocolates, confections, and decorative centerpieces; product development and baking theory; and career preparation for baker and pastry chef roles in many places.

Daves is the friendly face guiding you through flavorful, fuss-free recipes at Picture Perfect Meals. 

He studied culinary arts at Sullivan University and embraced Baking and Pastry Arts at White Mountains Community College. Daves specializes in comforting meals with vibrant flavors, highlighting fresh, seasonal ingredients.

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