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Baked Crunchy Honey Buffalo Chicken – weeknight or game night, this chicken is everyone’s favorite easy meal. Today we have a very well-loved recipe—simple cornflake-crusted chicken baked up on a sheet pan until crispy and delicious. And a double coat of crumbs provides the perfect crispy, crunchy breading. But it’s the sauce that everyone really loves. Spicy honey buffalo sauce with the perfect combination of hot sauce, butter, and spices. A delicious weeknight dinner to serve up to family and friends that’s even better on game day!
You guys! I’m so happy I’m finally sharing this recipe. This is the very same buffalo chicken recipe I’ve been making for my family for so many years. I think I made the first variation when I was 14. And now, here I am, however many years later, still making the same buffalo chicken.
My sauce has always been my best-kept secret, but I finally nailed the chicken coating last year, and now I feel as though I really do have our perfect caked, crunchy, spicy buffalo chicken.
And it’s just in time for all the playoff NFL games – and then, of course, the Super Bowl too. We’re excited!
When I first started to cook for my family, I started with the basics. Pasta, stir fry, tacos, chicken and rice. When we moved to Colorado and I had even more time to play in the kitchen, I started making baked buffalo chicken bites.
Back in Ohio, we’d order buffalo wings from BW3’s every so often. The boys especially loved their spicy wings. I wanted to recreate the meal for everyone, so I did just that. Only I skipped frying the wings. I’ve always baked the chicken.
It took some time to get the breading just right, but the sauce has been the same for years. It has just the right amount of spicy-salty flavor. It’s pretty perfect. When I felt like I nailed the chicken coating last January (it’s the same coating used for my Hot Honey Chicken), I pocketed the recipe to save for before the Super Bowl.
The time is here to share – wahoo!
Step 1: The coating
Cornflakes are the star. They give the chicken that perfect crunch. I’ve tested other cereals, but everyone in the family agrees, cornflakes have the best taste and crunch.
I use Nature’s Path, Organic Corn Flakes Cereal, which is naturally gluten-free and non-GMO. I order mine online. Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s have good options if you’re looking for something in-store.
And, of course, you can always use a box of the traditional cornflakes that we all grew up with. I just prefer the organic, no gluten, no sugar option.
Crunch up the cornflakes in a food processor with paprika, onion powder, and garlic powder. Then add the parmesan cheese. I use the cheese in place of flour, it adds a salty flavor that melts over the chicken becoming crispy as it bakes.
Step 2: coat the chicken
Dredge the chicken through eggs beaten together with hot sauce and then dredge through the crumbs. For a thicker coating, you can dip each piece of chicken back through the eggs and the crumbs for a second time. This takes slightly longer, but the thicker coating is always delish.
Drizzle the chicken with olive oil before baking. This helps the coating get crisp in the oven. Line the chicken up on a pan, then bake. I don’t do anything fancy, just bake for 25 minutes, and this chicken comes out perfect every time.
Totally no fuss.
Step 3: the buffalo sauce
Now the sauce. First the hot sauce, Franks, is my favorite. Add some salty butter, then a couple of teaspoons of seasoned salt, and a pinch of black pepper. I also add a small amount of chipotle chili powder . Melt this all together on the stove until just combined. Then, turn the heat off and mix in the honey.
The honey makes this buffalo sauce so special. It gives it the lightest bit of sweetness. Pour the sauce over the baked, crispy chicken. What happens is that the coating soaks up all the sauce. As Oslo says, yummy!
I love to serve these with home fries on game day. Then I usually serve these with rice any other night of the week. Oh, and some broccoli on the side is so yummy too!
Or just some carrots and celery for dipping in extra sauce. Delish!
Looking for more recipes? Here are a few to try:
Sheet Pan Buffalo Chicken Pizza
Spinach and Artichoke Stuffed Soft Pretzels
Fried Buffalo Goat Cheese Balls
Baked Buffalo Chicken Egg Rolls with Cilantro Lime Ranch
Buffalo Cauliflower with Spicy Tahini Ranch
Crispy Parmesan Crusted Buffalo Potatoes
Lastly, if you make this Baked Crunchy Honey Buffalo Chicken, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And, of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
So good! I flipped the chicken at 35 minutes and baked another 10 minutes. The sauce is so good!
Hey Kimberly,
Happy Sunday!! Thanks a lot for giving this recipe a try, I’m so glad to hear it was a hit! xT
My kids said this is the best thing I’ve ever made! BLESS YOU!
Aww, love to hear this Megan!! Thanks so much for making this recipe and your feedback:) xT
Sooooo good! This will be in my rotation of repeat meals I love!! The sauce is perfect. Easy to make too!
Hi Elise,
Amazing!! Thanks so much for making this recipe, so glad to hear it turned out well for you! Thanks for your comment! xx
Another family favourite, along with the baked crunchy hot honey version that is done in a similar manner. The double dredge is awesome and I really like this version of buffalo sauce. As a true (former) Buffalonian, I only would use blue cheese dressing but I find the recipe great with no dip at all.
Love to hear this Cindy!! Thanks for having this recipe on repeat:) So glad it is always enjoyed by your family! xT
Great recipe. Made this meatless by using extra firm that had been frozen, defrosted, pressed and then marinated. The cornflake coating and sauce worked well with the meaty texture of the previously frozen tofu. It worked best to double dredge as suggested. Ended up using 4 eggs for the dredge.
Thanks so much David!! So glad to hear this recipe turned out well for you, thanks a lot for making it! xT
So good! I cut the butter by 1/3, dredged twice, and split the honey between hot honey and normal (gives a more dynamic flavor profile). This is fantastic the sauce puts it over the top.. not ruining this with ranch ðŸ¤
My only mistake was drizzling the sauce over straight out of the oven. I’m a slow eater and for more crisps I recommend drizzling as you eat.
Thanks so much Cynthia!! Love to hear this recipe turned out well for you! Have a great Friday! Xx
I don’t see the chipotle powder in the directions? When do I add?
Hi Lydia,
It’s added in step 4 as part of the hot honey:) Please let me know if you have any other questions! xT
I already had a box of Cornflake crumbs, so I used a cup of those, and chicken tenderloins. Turned out great – loved the flavor of the sauce!
Love to hear this Katherine!! Thanks a lot for making this recipe and your comment:) xT
It was very good. Had with sweet potato fries. What’s not to like? Thanks
Hey Travis,
Wonderful!! Thanks a lot for trying this recipe and your comment, so glad it turned out well! Have a great weekend! xT
perfection!
I ended up using a buffalo sauce for the honey buffalo sauce and it turned out amazing! Liquid gold!
Hi Ally,
So glad to hear this! Thanks for making this recipe and your comment! Have a great Thursday! xT