Description
Baked Crunchy Hot Honey Chicken is a healthier alternative to fried chicken, offering a crispy, golden coating with a sweet and spicy glaze made from honey and hot sauce. Perfect for weeknight dinners or gatherings.
Ingredients
- 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
- 1½ cups panko breadcrumbs
- 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)
- Fresh chopped parsley (optional)
- Sesame seeds or crushed peanuts (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Pat chicken dry. Set up three shallow dishes: one with flour, salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and smoked paprika; one with beaten eggs; and one with panko breadcrumbs.
- Dredge each chicken piece in the flour mixture, then dip in eggs, and coat with panko breadcrumbs, pressing gently to adhere.
- Place chicken on baking sheet, lightly spray with cooking spray, and bake for 25–30 minutes until golden and crispy.
- While chicken bakes, combine honey, hot sauce, butter, and red pepper flakes in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir until smooth. Add vinegar or lemon juice if desired.
- Drizzle hot honey sauce over baked chicken or toss chicken in the sauce for full coverage.
- Garnish with parsley, sesame seeds, or crushed peanuts if desired, and serve.
Notes
- Adjust heat level by varying hot sauce and red pepper flakes.
- Use gluten-free flour and breadcrumbs for a gluten-free version.
- Air fryer can be used for extra crispiness at 400°F for 20 minutes.
- Reheat in oven to retain crispiness.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast or thigh
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 500mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 120mg
