Crispy Baked Hot Honey Chicken Recipe

Are you ready to try a healthier twist on fried chicken? Crispy Baked Hot Honey Chicken combines the crunch of cornflakes with a spicy-sweet honey sauce that elevates your meal. You’ll start by marinating chicken in seasoned buttermilk, ensuring every bite is flavorful. Then, you’ll coat and bake it to perfection. Curious about the history behind this dish and how to make it? Keep going to discover more!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

If you’re looking for a delicious and healthier chicken dish, you’ll love this crispy baked hot honey chicken recipe. This dish is baked instead of fried, which means fewer calories and lower fat content.

You’ll enjoy the balanced flavors, with a perfect blend of sweetness and spiciness, all while using nutritious ingredients like cornflakes and honey. The hot honey sauce adds a multi-dimensional taste, which you can customize to your heat preference. Each piece of chicken has a crunchy cornflake coating, ensuring a satisfying texture. It’s versatile, making it great for family dinners or game day snacks. Plus, it’s quick to prepare, allowing you to enjoy a flavorful meal without spending hours in the kitchen. Additionally, this recipe provides a healthier option due to baking instead of frying, giving you a guilt-free crunch.

History

The history of hot honey chicken is rich and fascinating, reflecting a blend of culinary traditions and innovations.

Hot honey, a combination of sweet honey and spicy chili peppers, originally topped fried chicken. In 2010, Mike Kurtz launched Mike’s Hot Honey, popularizing it on pizzas, while Ames Russell created AR’s Hot Southern Honey in 2015, inspired by his grandfather’s honeycomb tradition. Over time, hot honey sauce became a key glaze for baked chicken, leading to the creation of crispy baked hot honey chicken as a healthier option. The dish draws from Southern fried chicken traditions, especially Nashville’s hot chicken, which gained fame through community influence and events like the Music City Hot Chicken Festival. Nashville Hot Chicken has evolved into a national phenomenon, with its distinct spicy flavor captivating many across the country. Today, hot honey is widely enjoyed across the U.S.

Recipe

Ingredients:
– 2 lbs chicken breasts
– 1 cup buttermilk
– 1 tsp salt
– 1 tsp pepper
– 1 tsp garlic powder
– 1 tsp onion powder
– 2 cups cornflakes, crushed
– 1 cup panko bread crumbs
– 2 eggs, beaten
– 1/4 cup olive oil
– 1/2 cup hot sauce
– 1/2 cup honey
– 1 tsp cayenne pepper
– 1 tsp garlic powder (for sauce)
– 1 tbsp brown sugar (optional)
– 1 tbsp vinegar (optional)
– 2 tbsp melted butter (optional)

Cooking Instructions:

In a large bowl, combine the buttermilk, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. Add the chicken breasts, ensuring they’re fully submerged, and marinate for at least 2 hours or overnight in the refrigerator.
Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
In a shallow dish, mix the crushed cornflakes and panko bread crumbs. In another shallow dish, place the beaten eggs.
Remove the chicken from the marinade and let any excess liquid drip off. Dredge each piece of chicken in the egg, then coat it with the cornflake and panko mixture. For extra crunch, dip the chicken back into the egg and then into the crumbs again for a double coating.
Place the coated chicken on the prepared baking sheet and brush each piece lightly with olive oil. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through, with an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
While the chicken is baking, prepare the hot honey sauce by combining the hot sauce, honey, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, brown sugar, vinegar, and melted butter in a small saucepan. Heat over low until warmed and mixed well.
Once the chicken is cooked, remove it from the oven and drizzle the warm hot honey sauce generously over each piece before serving.

Extra Tips:

For ideal flavor and texture, consider pounding the chicken breasts to an even thickness before marinating. This helps with even cooking and allows the breading to adhere better. Additionally, you can customize the heat level of the hot honey sauce by adjusting the amount of cayenne pepper or hot sauce to suit your taste.

Enjoy your crispy baked hot honey chicken with a side of coleslaw or roasted vegetables for a complete meal. Baked Crunchy Hot Honey Chicken is a family favorite that is sure to impress!

Final Thoughts

Crispy baked hot honey chicken isn’t just a delicious meal; it’s also a simple and versatile option for any weeknight dinner. With its crispy coating and sweet, spicy sauce, this dish will quickly become a family favorite. To enhance flavor, use high-quality ingredients like organic cornflakes, and don’t hesitate to double coat the chicken for extra crunch. Marinating chicken in buttermilk enhances flavor and tenderness, making each bite even more satisfying. You can serve it alongside sweet potato fries or salads for a complete meal. If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container and reheat in an oven or air fryer to maintain crispiness.

FAQ

If you have questions about making crispy baked hot honey chicken, you’re not alone. Many home cooks wonder about the double coating process. Applying cornflake or panko in two steps creates a thicker crust. For flavor, a spice blend with paprika, onion powder, and garlic powder is essential. Baking at 425°F guarantees crispy texture, so don’t skip that. You can also use an air fryer for a quicker option.

If you’re gluten-free, substitute with gluten-free breadcrumbs. Adjust the hot sauce to meet your spice level, and remember to apply the hot honey sauce after baking. Store any leftovers in an airtight container, and reheat at 350°F to keep them delicious. Enjoy your cooking!