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+ servings

Baked Crunchy Hot Honey Chicken

Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Course Chicken, Dinner, Latest, Lunch, Main, Main Course
Cuisine American
Keyword Baked Crunchy Hot Honey Chicken
Servings 4
Sweet, spicy, and crispy—this Baked Crunchy Hot Honey Chicken is a healthier oven-baked alternative packed with bold flavor!

Ingredients

For the Chicken:

  • 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs (about 1.5 lbs)
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • ½ teaspoon smoked paprika optional
  • 2 large eggs beaten
  • cups panko breadcrumbs

For the Hot Honey Sauce:

  • ¼ cup honey
  • 2 tablespoons hot sauce adjust to taste
  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
  • ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes optional
  • 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar or lemon juice optional

For Garnish (Optional):

  • Fresh chopped parsley
  • Sesame seeds or crushed peanuts

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat the Oven

  • Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat for easy cleanup.

Step 2: Prepare the Chicken

  • Pat the chicken dry with paper towels.
  • In one shallow dish, mix flour, salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika.
  • In a second dish, beat the eggs.
  • In a third, spread the panko breadcrumbs.
  • Coat each chicken piece first in the flour mixture, then dip in the egg, and finally dredge in panko. Press gently to make sure the breadcrumbs adhere.

Step 3: Bake Until Crispy

  • Place the breaded chicken on your prepared baking sheet. Lightly spray or drizzle with olive oil to help the coating crisp.
  • Bake for 25–30 minutes, flipping once halfway through. Chicken is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) and is golden and crunchy.

Step 4: Make the Hot Honey Sauce

  • While the chicken bakes, combine honey, hot sauce, butter, and red pepper flakes in a small saucepan. Heat over medium, stirring until smooth and slightly thickened. Add apple cider vinegar or lemon juice if desired for a tangy twist.

Step 5: Glaze the Chicken

  • Once the chicken is cooked, remove from the oven and immediately drizzle with the hot honey sauce. For more coverage, you can toss the chicken in the sauce before serving.

Step 6: Garnish and Serve

  • Top with fresh parsley, sesame seeds, or crushed peanuts for a pop of texture and color. Serve hot with your favorite sides.