Description
Baked Crunchy Hot Honey Chicken delivers irresistible Southern comfort with a spicy-sweet twist. Crispy panko-coated chicken drizzled in golden honey and chili sauce promises an unforgettable meal that satisfies deep cravings.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 pounds (907 grams) chicken breast tenderloins
- 6 cups cornflakes (use gluten-free, if needed)
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- ½ cup (170 grams) honey
Coating & Cheese:
- ¼ cup (25 grams) grated parmesan cheese
- Extra virgin olive oil, for drizzling
Seasonings & Spices:
- 3 tablespoons (45 milliliters) hot sauce (divided)
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 3 teaspoons cayenne pepper (optional amount based on spice preference)
- ¾ teaspoon chipotle chili powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- Sea salt
- Fresh thyme or cilantro or parsley
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425°F (218°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and simplify cleanup.
- Pulverize cornflakes, parmesan cheese, paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, and salt in a food processor until transformed into fine, uniform crumbs. Alternatively, crush ingredients in a sealed ziplock bag using a rolling pin.
- Whisk eggs in a medium bowl, then incorporate hot sauce, creating a zesty marinade for the chicken pieces.
- Submerge chicken thoroughly in the egg mixture, ensuring complete coating.
- Roll each chicken piece generously in the seasoned crumb mixture, pressing gently to maximize crumb adhesion. For extra crispiness, repeat the egg and crumb dredging process.
- Position coated chicken pieces on the prepared baking sheet, maintaining slight separation between each piece.
- Lightly drizzle olive oil across the chicken to enhance browning and provide additional flavor complexity.
- Roast in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, rotating the baking sheet midway to ensure even golden-brown coloration and consistent crunchiness.
- Meanwhile, combine honey, hot sauce, cayenne pepper, chili powder, onion powder, garlic powder, and a pinch of salt in a small saucepan.
- Simmer the sauce over low heat, stirring continuously until ingredients meld into a smooth, glossy consistency.
- Once chicken reaches optimal crispness and internal temperature of 165°F (74°C), remove from oven and immediately drizzle with the warm spicy-sweet sauce.
- Garnish with freshly chopped herbs like parsley or cilantro for a vibrant finishing touch.
- Serve immediately, with additional sauce on the side for dipping if desired.
Notes
- Crumb creation happens quickly using a food processor or manual crushing method for maximum texture variety.
- Egg-hot sauce bath ensures deep flavor infusion and helps coating adhere perfectly to chicken pieces.
- Double-dredging technique guarantees extra crispy exterior with intense crunch in every delicious bite.
- Olive oil drizzle before baking adds golden-brown color and enhances overall browning process.
- Hot honey sauce combines sweet, spicy elements creating a mouthwatering glaze that elevates simple chicken to gourmet status.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 550 kcal
- Sugar: 22 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 60 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 36 g
- Cholesterol: 150 mg