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Crispy Baked Hot Honey Chicken Recipe

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★★★★★

4.6 from 53 reviews

Crispy Baked Hot Honey Chicken is a flavorful and crunchy dish that combines a crispy cornflake coating with a sweet and spicy hot honey sauce. Perfect for a satisfying meal that balances heat and sweetness, this baked chicken recipe uses simple ingredients and an easy baking method to create juicy, tender chicken breasts or thighs with a delightful texture and bold flavor.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken and Coating

  • 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.)
  • 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.)

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 the Oven: Preheat your oven to 425°F to ensure it reaches the perfect temperature for baking crispy chicken.
  2. Prepare the Cornflake Coating: Crush the cornflakes into small pieces using a food processor or a rolling pin to create the crunchy coating.
  3. Set Up Dredging Stations: Arrange three shallow bowls: one with the flour and brown sugar mixture, one with whisked eggs combined with hot sauce, and one with the crushed cornflakes mixed with paprika and seasoning mix.
  4. Prepare the Chicken: Slice and tenderize the chicken breasts to a uniform thickness for even cooking. Season both sides with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
  5. Coat the Chicken: Dredge each piece first in the flour mixture, then dip into the egg wash with hot sauce, and finally roll it thoroughly in the crushed cornflakes mixture ensuring an even coating.
  6. Arrange on Baking Sheet: Place the coated chicken pieces on a greased baking sheet, then lightly spray with nonstick cooking spray to help achieve extra crispiness and prevent sticking.
  7. Bake the Chicken: Bake the chicken in the preheated oven for 15 to 16 minutes until the coating is golden brown and crunchy, and the chicken is cooked through.
  8. Make the 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 and heat until the butter melts and the sauce is well combined and slightly thickened.
  9. Serve: Once the chicken is baked, drizzle the crispy pieces generously with the hot honey sauce just before serving to add sweetness and heat.

Notes

  • You can substitute chicken thighs for breasts if you prefer juicier meat.
  • Almond flour is a good gluten-free alternative for the flour coating.
  • For a vegan version, use flax eggs and plant-based butter, and substitute honey with maple syrup.
  • Adjust the amount of hot sauce in the egg wash and sauce to control the heat level.
  • Using nonstick spray helps achieve a crispier finish when baking.
  • Make sure the chicken is of uniform thickness for even cooking.
  • Leftovers can be kept in the fridge and reheated in the oven to maintain crispiness.

Keywords: crispy baked chicken, hot honey chicken, baked chicken recipe, spicy honey chicken, crunchy chicken, oven-baked chicken

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