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Crispy Baked Hot Honey Chicken Recipe

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★★★★★

5 from 89 reviews

A deliciously crispy baked hot honey chicken recipe featuring tender chicken breasts coated in a crunchy cornflake breading and drizzled with a spicy, sweet hot honey sauce. Perfect for a flavorful and satisfying meal with a balance of heat and sweetness.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Chicken

  • 4 pieces Chicken Breasts (Thighs can be juicier if preferred)
  • 1 teaspoon Salt (Enhances flavor; use fresh for best results)
  • 1 teaspoon Black Pepper (Enhances flavor; use fresh for best results)
  • 0.5 tablespoon Nonstick Cooking Spray (Helps prevent sticking; a light oil spray can work too)

For the Breading

  • 1 cup Flour (Essential coating; almond flour can be a gluten-free substitute)
  • 0.5 cup Light Brown Sugar (Adds sweetness to the breading; coconut sugar is a low-GI alternative)
  • 2 large Eggs (Binds the breading; switch to flax eggs for a vegan option)
  • 2 tablespoons Hot Sauce (Imparts spiciness to the egg wash; adjust based on heat preference)
  • 4 cups Cornflakes (Creates the crunchy texture; gluten-free cornflakes are available)
  • 1 teaspoon Paprika (Adds color and mild flavor; smoked paprika can deepen the taste)
  • 2 teaspoons Seasoning Mix (Salt, chili powder, black pepper, and cayenne pepper enhance flavor)

For the Hot Honey Sauce

  • 0.5 cup Honey (Provides sweetness and moisture; maple syrup is a great vegan alternative)
  • 2 tablespoons Additional Hot Sauce (Provides extra heat; choose your favorite brand)
  • 4 tablespoons Butter (Adds richness to the sauce; plant-based butter can keep it dairy-free)
  • 0.25 cup Light Brown Sugar (Sweetens the sauce; cane sugar is a good substitute)
  • 2 tablespoons Apple Cider Vinegar (Balances the sauce’s acidity; lemon juice can also work)
  • 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder (Season the sauce with flavorful spices)
  • 1 teaspoon Onion Powder (Season the sauce with flavorful spices)
  • 1 teaspoon Mustard Powder (Season the sauce with flavorful spices)

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) ensuring it reaches the correct temperature for optimal baking results.
  2. Prepare Cornflake Crumbs: Crush cornflakes into small, coarse pieces using a food processor or rolling pin for a crunchy breading texture.
  3. Set Up Breading Stations: Arrange three shallow bowls: one with flour and light brown sugar mixed, a second with whisked eggs blended with hot sauce, and a third containing the crushed cornflake mixture combined with paprika and seasoning mix.
  4. Prepare Chicken: Slice and tenderize chicken breasts to an even thickness for uniform cooking. Season both sides with salt and black pepper.
  5. Coat Chicken: Dredge each chicken piece first in the flour and brown sugar mix, then dip into the spicy egg wash, and finally coat thoroughly with the cornflake mixture, pressing lightly to adhere the crumbs.
  6. Arrange on Baking Sheet: Place the breaded chicken pieces on a greased baking sheet. Lightly spray the tops with nonstick cooking spray to promote crispiness and prevent drying.
  7. Bake Chicken: Bake in the preheated oven for 15-16 minutes or until the chicken is golden brown, crispy on the outside, and cooked through internally.
  8. Prepare Hot Honey Sauce: While the chicken bakes, combine honey, additional hot sauce, butter, light brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, garlic powder, onion powder, and mustard powder in a saucepan over low heat. Stir gently until the butter melts and the sauce is well blended and warm.
  9. Serve: Once the chicken is baked, drizzle the hot honey sauce generously over the pieces and serve immediately for a juicy, flavorful meal.

Notes

  • For juicier meat, thigh pieces can be used instead of chicken breasts.
  • Gluten-free alternatives like almond flour and gluten-free cornflakes can be used to make the recipe gluten-free.
  • Adjust the amount of hot sauce to control the spice level to your preference.
  • Plant-based substitutes for butter and honey can be used for dairy-free or vegan adaptations.
  • Ensure chicken pieces are of even thickness to cook evenly and prevent drying out.
  • Light spraying of oil helps achieve the desired crispy texture without deep frying.

Keywords: Crispy Baked Chicken, Hot Honey Chicken, Spicy Chicken Recipe, Baked Chicken Breasts, Crunchy Chicken, Sweet and Spicy Chicken

Find it online: https://servedbynora.com/crispy-baked-hot-honey-chicken-recipe/