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Baked Crunchy Hot Honey Chicken Recipe

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★★★★★

4.5 from 106 reviews

This Baked Crunchy Hot Honey Chicken recipe features tender chicken breast tenderloins coated in a crispy, flavorful cornflake and parmesan crust, baked to perfection and drizzled with a spicy, sweet hot honey sauce. It’s a deliciously addictive mix of heat and sweetness, finished with fresh herbs for an extra burst of flavor. Perfect as a flavorful main dish that’s both easy to prepare and impressive.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Chicken:

  • 6 cups cornflakes (use gluten free, if needed)
  • 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 2 large eggs, beaten
  • 2 tablespoons hot sauce
  • 2 pounds chicken breast tenderloins
  • Extra virgin olive oil, for drizzling

For the Hot Honey Sauce:

  • 1/2 cup honey
  • 2–3 tablespoons hot sauce
  • 1–3 teaspoons cayenne pepper
  • 3/4 teaspoon chipotle chili powder
  • Sea salt, to taste
  • Fresh thyme, cilantro, or parsley, for serving

Instructions

  1. Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure easy cleanup.
  2. Make the Coating: In a food processor, combine cornflakes, grated parmesan cheese, smoked paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, and a pinch of salt. Pulse until the mixture forms fine crumbs. If you don’t have a processor, crush the cornflakes inside a ziplock bag by stepping on them until finely broken down. Transfer the crumbs to a shallow bowl.
  3. Coat the Chicken: In a separate bowl, beat the eggs thoroughly and add 2 tablespoons of hot sauce. Toss the chicken breast tenderloins in the egg mixture until fully coated. Dredge each piece through the crumb mixture, pressing to ensure thorough coverage. For an extra crispy coating, dip the chicken again into the egg mixture and then into the crumbs once more. Place the coated chicken pieces evenly on the prepared baking sheet. Drizzle extra virgin olive oil over the chicken to help it crisp up while baking.
  4. Bake the Chicken: Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through and the coating is crisp and golden around all sides.
  5. Prepare the Hot Honey Sauce: Just before the chicken finishes baking, combine honey, 2-3 tablespoons hot sauce, cayenne pepper (start with 1 teaspoon and adjust to taste), chipotle chili powder, a pinch of sea salt, plus additional onion powder and garlic powder if desired, in a small sauce pot. Warm gently over low heat until combined and aromatic.
  6. Serve: Drizzle the warm hot honey sauce over the baked chicken. Garnish with fresh thyme, cilantro, or parsley to add brightness and color. If your sauce thickens as it cools, briefly warm it in the microwave for about 5 seconds before drizzling. Enjoy your crunchy, spicy, and sweet hot honey chicken!

Notes

  • Use gluten-free cornflakes if you require a gluten-free version.
  • Adjust the amount of cayenne pepper in the sauce to control the heat level.
  • For extra crunch, double dredge the chicken as instructed.
  • Olive oil drizzled on top helps attain a golden, crispy coating.
  • Fresh herbs like thyme, cilantro, or parsley add a nice fresh finish but can be omitted if unavailable.
  • This recipe works well with chicken tenders or thin chicken breasts for even cooking.

Keywords: baked chicken, hot honey chicken, crunchy chicken, spicy sweet chicken, crispy chicken tenders, healthy crispy chicken, gluten free chicken recipe

Find it online: https://mjrecipe.com/baked-crunchy-hot-honey-chicken-recipe/