Description
Crispy Baked Hot Honey Chicken delivers a perfect balance of spicy and sweet flavors that dance across your palate. Succulent chicken pieces glazed with golden honey and fiery spices promise a delightful meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken:
- 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts (cut into strips) or 4 chicken thighs
Breading Mixture:
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1/2 cup crushed cornflakes
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Marinade and Sauce:
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 teaspoon hot sauce
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons melted butter
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1 teaspoon hot sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1/2 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
Instructions
- Create a zesty marinade by whisking buttermilk, hot sauce, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper in a large mixing bowl.
- Submerge chicken strips completely in the marinade, ensuring each piece is thoroughly coated and infused with the spicy mixture.
- Seal the bowl with plastic wrap or a tight-fitting lid, allowing the chicken to marinate in the refrigerator for a minimum of half an hour or up to eight hours for maximum flavor penetration.
- Preheat the oven to the specified temperature, preparing a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a silicone mat for optimal crispiness.
- Prepare the crispy coating by combining panko breadcrumbs, cornflakes, and additional seasonings in a shallow dish, creating a textured and flavorful exterior.
- Remove chicken strips from the marinade, allowing excess liquid to drip off, then carefully dredge each piece in the crunchy coating, pressing gently to ensure complete coverage.
- Arrange the coated chicken strips on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them evenly to promote even browning and maintain their crisp texture.
- Bake in the preheated oven until the chicken is golden brown, crispy on the outside, and fully cooked through, with an internal temperature reaching the safe consumption point.
- Remove from the oven and let the chicken rest briefly to help the coating set and maintain its crunchiness.
- Drizzle with hot honey just before serving, creating a sweet and spicy finish that elevates the dish’s flavor profile.
Notes
- Marinate chicken longer for deeper, more intense flavor profiles that penetrate the meat completely.
- Use gluten-free breadcrumbs or crushed cornflakes to make this recipe suitable for those with wheat sensitivities.
- Pat chicken strips completely dry before coating to ensure maximum crispiness and prevent soggy breading.
- Experiment with different hot sauce varieties like Sriracha or Cholula to customize heat levels and taste complexity.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2
- Calories: 610
- Sugar: 14 g
- Sodium: 950 mg
- Fat: 32 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 17 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 54 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 34 g
- Cholesterol: 95 mg