If you’ve been on the hunt for a dish that brings together sweet, spicy, and irresistibly crunchy textures, the Baked Crunchy Hot Honey Chicken Recipe is here to steal the show. This dish combines crispy cornflake-crusted chicken with a luscious, spicy hot honey drizzle that delivers a perfect balance of heat and sweetness in every bite. It’s a simple but impressive recipe that turns everyday chicken tenderloins into a flavor-packed masterpiece that your family or guests will rave about.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering the right ingredients is the secret to unlocking that amazing crunch and vibrant flavor. Each component plays a vital role, from the buttery cornflakes that create the irresistible crust to the smoky spices and sweet-spicy honey sauce that elevate this chicken to next-level delicious.
- Cornflakes (6 cups): The foundation of the crunchy coating that crisps up beautifully in the oven.
- Grated Parmesan cheese (1/4 cup): Adds salty richness and helps deepen the crust’s flavor.
- Smoked paprika (1 teaspoon): Brings a subtle, smoky warmth enhancing the taste.
- Onion powder (1/2 teaspoon): Provides mild savory depth, blending seamlessly with garlic.
- Garlic powder (1/2 teaspoon): Adds aromatic notes that complement the crispy coating.
- Large eggs (2, beaten): Acts as the perfect binder to hold the cornflake crust on the chicken.
- Hot sauce (2 tablespoons plus extra for honey sauce): Brings the heat punch, both in the coating and the honey drizzle.
- Chicken breast tenderloins (2 pounds): The star protein that stays juicy inside the crunchy crust.
- Extra virgin olive oil (for drizzling): Helps crisp the coating evenly while baking.
- Honey (1/2 cup): Balances the heat with natural sweetness in the drizzle.
- Cayenne pepper (1-3 teaspoons): Adjusts the spice level to your preference in the sauce.
- Chipotle chili powder (3/4 teaspoon): Adds smoky, nuanced spiciness to the honey sauce.
- Sea salt: Essential for seasoning and enhancing every layer of flavor.
- Fresh thyme, cilantro, or parsley (for serving): Offers a fresh herbal finish to brighten the dish.
How to Make Baked Crunchy Hot Honey Chicken Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Oven and Coating
Set your oven to 425°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and make cleanup easy. Next, use a food processor to combine the cornflakes, Parmesan, smoked paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, and sea salt. Pulse until you achieve fine crumbs with a hint of texture—that’s going to be your magic crunch coat.
Step 2: Coat the Chicken
In a bowl, beat together the eggs and 2 tablespoons of your favorite hot sauce. This mixture not only helps the crust adhere to the tenderloins but infuses them with a subtle heat. Dip each chicken tenderloin into the egg wash and then dredge it thoroughly in the cornflake crumb mixture. Make sure every nook and cranny is generously coated to guarantee that perfect crunch.
Step 3: Bake to Crispy Perfection
Place the coated chicken pieces on your prepared sheet and lightly drizzle olive oil over each. This step is key—it helps attain a golden, crispy finish without frying. Bake the chicken for 20 to 25 minutes, flipping if you like, until they’re beautifully browned and the cornflake crust is irresistibly crunchy.
Step 4: Make the Hot Honey Sauce
While the chicken bakes, gently warm the honey in a saucepan over low heat. Stir in the hot sauce, cayenne pepper, chipotle chili powder, garlic powder, and onion powder. This sauce will balance fiery heat with mellow sweetness, complementing the chicken without overpowering it. Let it simmer briefly to marry those flavors.
Step 5: Drizzle and Serve
The final flourish is drizzling the spicy honey sauce over your baked crunchy chicken just before serving. This step transforms the dish from crispy to crave-worthy, coating each piece in a glossy, flavor-packed glaze that shines every time.
How to Serve Baked Crunchy Hot Honey Chicken Recipe
Garnishes
Fresh herbs like thyme, cilantro, or parsley make excellent garnishes that add a pop of color and a burst of freshness against the warm, spicy-sweet chicken. A sprinkling of finely chopped herbs invites you to dig in and adds a lovely aromatic layer that balances the richness.
Side Dishes
Pair this Baked Crunchy Hot Honey Chicken Recipe with light, cooling sides like crunchy coleslaw or a crisp green salad. Alternatively, creamy mashed potatoes or a simple rice pilaf work well to soak up any extra honey sauce and make it a comforting meal. Roasted vegetables on the side also add color and nutrition without competing with bold flavors.
Creative Ways to Present
For a party or casual get-together, serve the chicken tenders on a large platter with small bowls of extra hot honey sauce and cooling ranch or blue cheese dip. You can also turn this dish into a sandwich by placing the crispy tenders inside a brioche bun with lettuce and a drizzle of hot honey sauce for a finger-licking handheld treat.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The crunchy coating softens over time, but the flavor remains fantastic. Keeping the honey sauce separate and adding it fresh when reheating helps maintain that bold hot honey zing.
Freezing
If you want to save this dish for longer, freeze the baked chicken tenders without the sauce. Wrap them tightly in foil or plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe bag. This way, you preserve the crunch better for reheating later.
Reheating
To reheat and revive the crispiness, place the chicken on a baking sheet and warm in a preheated oven at 375°F for about 10 minutes or until heated through. Avoid the microwave if you want to keep the coating deliciously crunchy. Add the hot honey sauce fresh before serving.
FAQs
Can I use chicken thighs instead of tenderloins?
Absolutely! Chicken thighs work well in this recipe and offer extra juiciness. Just ensure you adjust the baking time slightly since thighs are thicker and may take longer to cook through.
How spicy is the Baked Crunchy Hot Honey Chicken Recipe?
The spice level is easily adjustable. The recipe includes hot sauce, cayenne, and chipotle powder, but you can dial back or boost the heat based on your preference. The honey balances the heat, so it’s not overwhelmingly spicy.
Can I make this gluten-free?
Yes! Simply use gluten-free cornflakes and ensure your hot sauce and spices are gluten-free. The rest of the ingredients are naturally gluten-free, making it a great option for those with gluten sensitivities.
What’s the best way to get the coating extra crispy?
Drizzle olive oil evenly over the coated chicken and bake at a high temperature (425°F). Avoid overcrowding the baking sheet so the heat circulates well around each piece. Flipping once during baking helps crisp both sides.
Can I prepare the coating mixture ahead of time?
You can prepare the cornflake crumb mixture a day in advance and store it in an airtight container. This way, meal prep is quicker when you’re ready to cook your Baked Crunchy Hot Honey Chicken Recipe.
Final Thoughts
This Baked Crunchy Hot Honey Chicken Recipe truly has it all—crunch, heat, and a touch of sweetness that keeps you coming back for more. It’s a fantastic recipe that’s straightforward enough for a weeknight but special enough for guests. Don’t wait to try this dish; it’s sure to become one of your favorite go-tos when you want something crispy, flavorful, and downright comforting!
Print
Baked Crunchy Hot Honey Chicken Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Baked Crunchy Hot Honey Chicken recipe offers crispy, golden chicken tenderloins coated in a flavorful cornflake and parmesan crust, enhanced with smoky and spicy seasonings, and finished with a sweet and spicy hot honey drizzle. Perfect for a quick, satisfying meal with a balance of heat and sweetness.
Ingredients
Crunchy Coating
- 6 cups cornflakes
- 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- sea salt, to taste
Chicken and Egg Wash
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- 2 tablespoons hot sauce
- 2 pounds chicken breast tenderloins
- extra virgin olive oil, for drizzling
Hot Honey Sauce
- 1/2 cup honey
- 2–3 tablespoons hot sauce
- 1–3 teaspoons cayenne pepper
- 3/4 teaspoon chipotle chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
Garnish
- fresh thyme, cilantro, or parsley for serving
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prepare for baking the chicken.
- Prepare Crunchy Coating: In a food processor, pulse the cornflakes, grated parmesan cheese, smoked paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, and sea salt until fine crumbs form, creating a flavorful and crispy coating mixture.
- Make Egg Wash: In a separate bowl, beat together the eggs and 2 tablespoons of hot sauce to create a spicy egg wash that will help the coating stick to the chicken.
- Coat Chicken: Dip each chicken breast tenderloin into the egg wash to fully coat, then dredge it thoroughly in the cornflake crumb mixture, pressing gently to adhere the crumbs well.
- Prepare for Baking: Arrange the coated chicken tenderloins on the parchment-lined baking sheet in a single layer. Drizzle lightly with extra virgin olive oil to aid browning and crispiness.
- Bake Chicken: Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the chicken is golden brown, crispy on the outside, and cooked through internally (165°F internal temperature).
- Make Hot Honey Sauce: While the chicken bakes, combine honey, 2-3 tablespoons hot sauce, cayenne pepper, chipotle chili powder, garlic powder, and onion powder in a small saucepan. Warm over low heat, stirring occasionally until heated through and flavors meld.
- Serve: Once the chicken is baked, drizzle the warm hot honey sauce over the crispy chicken pieces. Garnish with fresh thyme, cilantro, or parsley before serving for a fresh touch.
Notes
- Adjust cayenne pepper quantity in the honey sauce based on your desired spice level.
- For extra crispiness, you can broil the chicken for the last 2 minutes of baking, watching closely to prevent burning.
- Use gluten-free cornflakes if you need a gluten-free version of this recipe.
- Make sure chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F to ensure it is fully cooked.
- Fresh herbs like thyme, cilantro, or parsley add brightness and contrast to the rich honey sauce.
