Crispy Hot Honey Chicken Recipe
If you are craving a dish that’s the perfect balance of bold, sweet, and spicy, then you’re going to fall in love with this Crispy Hot Honey Chicken Recipe. Imagine tender chicken coated in a crunchy cornflake crust, baked to golden perfection, and then drizzled generously with a glorious hot honey glaze that sets off a fiery, sweet kick. It’s a total showstopper that’s easy enough for a weeknight but special enough to impress any crowd. Once you try it, you’ll want this Crispy Hot Honey Chicken Recipe on your regular menu rotation, guaranteed!
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering the right ingredients is the first step toward achieving that irresistible flavor and texture in this Crispy Hot Honey Chicken Recipe. Each component plays a crucial role, from the crispy coating to the spicy-sweet drizzle, creating a mouthwatering harmony in every bite.
- Chicken tenders or chicken breasts: These provide juicy, tender meat that’s perfect for coating and baking.
- Salt: Enhances the chicken’s natural flavor to make every bite more savory.
- Pepper: Adds a subtle heat and depth to the seasoning.
- Flour: Helps the coating adhere and forms the base for the crispy outer layer.
- Garlic powder: Infuses a delicious, aromatic undertone with every bite.
- Onion powder: Adds sweetness and complexity to the seasoning blend.
- Eggs: Acts as the binding agent to hold the crunchy coating together.
- Cornflakes: Crushed to create the signature crispiness of the crust.
- Cayenne pepper (optional): Boosts the heat level for those who love extra spice.
- Olive oil: Keeps the chicken moist while helping the coating crisp up in the oven.
- Hot honey: The unforgettable finishing touch, balancing sweet and spicy perfectly.
How to Make Crispy Hot Honey Chicken Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Oven and Chicken
Start by preheating your oven to 400 degrees. While it warms, pat your chicken tenders or breasts dry with paper towels. This little step is crucial because it helps the flour and coating stick better, resulting in that crispy exterior we’re all craving in this Crispy Hot Honey Chicken Recipe.
Step 2: Set Up Your Dredging Stations
Set yourself up with three shallow bowls: one with the flour mixed with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder; the second holding beaten eggs for dipping; and the third filled with crushed cornflakes, spiced with optional cayenne pepper. This assembly line setup will make coating the chicken quick, efficient, and mess-free.
Step 3: Coat the Chicken
First, dredge each piece of chicken in the seasoned flour, making sure it’s fully covered. Then dip it in the beaten eggs, and finally press it firmly into the cornflake mixture, ensuring it’s completely coated. This triple-layer ensures maximum crunch once baked.
Step 4: Bake to Perfect Crispness
Place the coated chicken tenders on a baking sheet lightly brushed with olive oil or lined with parchment. Drizzle a little olive oil over the tops of the coated chicken for extra crispness. Bake at 400 degrees for 15 to 20 minutes, flipping halfway through to brown both sides beautifully. This step locks in juiciness while creating that irresistibly crispy coating.
Step 5: Drizzle with Hot Honey
Once the chicken is out of the oven and still steaming hot, generously drizzle the hot honey all over each tender. You’ll love how the sticky, spicy sweetness seeps into the crispy crust, creating a flavor explosion with every bite in this Crispy Hot Honey Chicken Recipe.
Step 6: Serve and Enjoy!
Serve your chicken immediately while warm and crisp. If you want, pair it with your favorite dipping sauces like ranch or honey mustard to add another layer of flavor contrast.
How to Serve Crispy Hot Honey Chicken Recipe
Garnishes
Fresh garnishes can really elevate the look and taste! Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley or sliced green onions on top to add a pop of color and a fresh note that brightens each bite.
Side Dishes
This Crispy Hot Honey Chicken pairs beautifully with a variety of sides. Classic coleslaw offers a cool, tangy crunch that contrasts with the spicy honey. Roasted vegetables or a simple leafy green salad also provide a refreshing balance to the richness of the chicken.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, serve the tenders on slider buns with a slaw topping for a spicy-sweet chicken sandwich, or chop them up and toss with fresh greens for a crunchy chicken salad. The versatility of the Crispy Hot Honey Chicken Recipe means you can get creative and make it your own!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Place any leftover chicken in an airtight container in the fridge. It will keep well for up to 3 days, making it perfect for quick lunches or snacks the next day.
Freezing
If you want to keep it longer, freeze the chicken pieces individually on a baking sheet before transferring them to a freezer-safe bag. They’ll stay fresh for up to 2 months. Just thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Reheating
To maintain crispiness when reheating, pop the chicken in a hot oven or toaster oven at 350 degrees for about 10 minutes. Avoid microwaving as it can make the coating soggy.
FAQs
Can I use regular honey instead of hot honey?
Absolutely! Regular honey works fine if you prefer less heat. You can also drizzle some hot sauce with regular honey to create your own hot honey blend.
Can I fry the chicken instead of baking?
Yes, frying will give you an even crispier crust, but baking is a healthier option and still delivers wonderful crunch and flavor.
What if I don’t have cornflakes?
Crushed panko breadcrumbs or crushed tortilla chips can be great substitutes to maintain that crispy texture.
Is this recipe spicy?
The spice level is mild to moderate thanks to the cayenne and hot honey. You can adjust the cayenne amount or use mild honey for a gentler kick.
Can I make this recipe gluten-free?
Yes! Use gluten-free flour and gluten-free cornflakes or crushed gluten-free crackers to keep the dish safe for gluten-sensitive eaters.
Final Thoughts
I can’t recommend this Crispy Hot Honey Chicken Recipe enough if you want an easy, flavorful meal that’s a total crowd-pleaser. It’s comfort food with a fiery sweet twist that feels both indulgent and fresh. Give it a try, share it with friends, and watch how quickly it disappears from the plate!
Print
Crispy Hot Honey Chicken Recipe
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
Description
Crispy Hot Honey Chicken is a deliciously crunchy and flavorful dish featuring tender chicken coated in a seasoned cornflake crust, baked to perfection, and drizzled with sweet and spicy hot honey for the perfect balance of heat and sweetness. This easy-to-make recipe is ideal for a quick weeknight dinner or a satisfying snack, served best with ranch or honey mustard dipping sauce.
Ingredients
Chicken
- 1 1/2 to 1 3/4 lbs. Chicken Tenders or Chicken Breasts
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 1/2 teaspoon Pepper
Coating
- 1/2 cup Flour
- 1/2 teaspoon Garlic Powder
- 1/2 teaspoon Onion Powder
- 2 large Eggs
- 5 cups Cornflakes (crushed)
- 1/4 teaspoon Cayenne Pepper (optional)
Other
- Olive Oil (for drizzling or light coating)
- Hot Honey (for drizzling over cooked chicken)
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit to ensure it reaches the perfect temperature for baking the chicken to a crisp golden finish.
- Prepare the Chicken: Pat dry the chicken tenders or breasts with paper towels to remove excess moisture. This helps the coating stick better and promotes crispiness.
- Set Up Dredging Stations: In three separate shallow bowls, prepare your coating ingredients: one with the flour combined with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder; the second bowl with the beaten eggs; and the third with the crushed cornflakes mixed with optional cayenne pepper for added spice.
- Coat the Chicken: Dredge each piece of chicken first in the seasoned flour mixture, then dip it into the egg wash, and finally coat it thoroughly with the crushed cornflakes ensuring an even, crispy layer.
- Bake the Chicken: Arrange the coated chicken pieces on a baking sheet lightly greased or lined with parchment paper. Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, flipping the tenders halfway through the cooking time to ensure even browning on both sides.
- Drizzle with Hot Honey: Once the chicken is fully cooked and crispy, remove from the oven and immediately drizzle hot honey generously over the tenders for a perfect sweet and spicy glaze.
- Serve: Serve the hot honey chicken tenders warm, ideally accompanied by ranch dressing or honey mustard for dipping, to complement the flavors and add an extra layer of creaminess.
Notes
- For extra crispiness, lightly spray the coated chicken with olive oil before baking.
- If using chicken breasts, slice them into tender-sized strips for even cooking.
- The amount of cayenne pepper can be adjusted or omitted to control the spice level.
- Hot honey can be substituted with a mix of honey and a splash of hot sauce if unavailable.
- Allow the chicken to rest a few minutes after baking before serving to keep juices locked in.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
