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Baked Crunchy Hot Honey Chicken – a family favorite loved by everyone! Simple cornflake-crusted chicken baked up on a sheet pan until crispy and delicious. A double coat of crumbs is the secret. But my sauce…well it’s even more special. Sweet honey with the perfect combination of spices and sea salt. A delicious weeknight dinner to serve up to family and friends.
If there’s one recipe I was really excited to share this week, it’s this chicken. I know it’s not anything too out of the ordinary, but we love this recipe. My family always enjoys any kind of saucy baked chicken, but I usually do more of a buffalo-style sauce.
It’s a dinner everyone agrees on, so that makes my life easy!
Every so often, I’ll switch gears and do my version of a hot honey sauce. I’ve been making hot honey sauce for years and years, but this is my perfect sauce that came to be over trial and error.
Of course, it’s the simplest sauce, but I’ll never complain about simplicity when it comes to cooking!
Details
The coating is key. 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 online, but if you’re looking for something in-store, Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s are both good options.
And of course, you can use the box of regular ole’ cornflakes we all grew up with. Either one works, I just prefer the organic, no gluten, no sugar option.
Crunch the cornflakes up in a food processor with paprika, onion powder, and garlic powder. Then add the parmesan cheese. It may sound odd, but the cheese adds a salty flavor that melts over the chicken becoming crispy as it bakes.
Next, I dredge the chicken through eggs beaten together with hot sauce, then through the crumbs. For a thicker coating, I’ll take the chicken and dip it back through the eggs, and the crumbs for a 2nd time. This takes slightly longer, but the thicker coating is always delish.
Next, olive oil on the chicken to help it crisp up…then bake! I don’t do anything fancy, just bake 25 minutes and this chicken comes out perfect every time.
Totally no fuss.
Before the chicken is done, warm the honey on the stove with hot sauce, cayenne, and chipotle chili powder. The chili powder adds a very subtle smokiness to the sweet, spicy, salty sauce.
You can use as little or as much of the sauce as you’d like, but I end up drizzling every last drop of the sauce over the chicken. It’s SO DELICIOUS.
Herbs, then sea salt to finish. This really is the perfect hot honey chicken. Plus, I love how easy it is to prepare.
I serve this with sweet potato fries and my fav wintery salad. Highly recommend some crispy sweet potato fries on the side. So yummmy with the spicy sauce!
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
Lastly, if you make this Baked Crunchy Hot Honey 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!
Baked Crunchy Hot Honey Chicken
Servings: 6
Calories Per Serving: 403 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Ingredients
- 6 cups cornflakes (use gluten free, if needed)
- 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- 2 tablespoons hot sauce
- 2 pounds chicken breast tenderloins
- extra virgin olive oil, for drizzling
Hot Honey
- 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
- sea salt
- fresh thyme, cilantro, or parsley, for serving
Instructions
- 1. Preheat the oven to 425° F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.2. In a food processor, combine the cornflakes, parmesan, paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, and a pinch of salt. Pulse until you have fine crumbs. Alternatively, you can crush the crumbs in a ziplock bag by stepping on them. Dump the crumbs into a shallow bowl.3. Beat the eggs in a bowl, add the hot sauce and chicken, and toss well to coat. 3. Dredge the chicken through the crumbs, covering fully. Place on the prepared baking sheet. For a thicker coating, dip the chicken back through the eggs, then through the crumbs a 2nd time. Place on the prepared baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil. Bake for 20-25 minutes, until crisp all around. 4. Just before the chicken is done cooking, make the sauce. In a sauce pot, warm together the honey, hot sauce, cayenne, chili powder, onion powder, and garlic powder, plus a pinch of salt. 5. Drizzle the warm sauce over the chicken. Top with herbs. If the sauce thickens, warm for 5 seconds in the microwave. Enjoy!
It was so easy and very flavorful! It will be a repeat in our home. I put them on a delicious salad. I thought my husband was going to kick the bowl!😊
Hey Melissa,
Happy Friday! Thanks a lot for trying this recipe and your comment, so glad to hear it was enjoyed! xT
This is delicious – my whole family loves it and requests it often!
Hey Angela,
Love to hear this! Thanks so much for making this recipe so often, so glad to hear your family always enjoys it! xT
Hi! Was wondering if these would pair well with your Crispy Oregano Roasted Potatoes with Creamy Feta? If so what vegetable would you consider? Thinking of an Easter brunch/lunch. Love your recipes!!
Hey Jean,
Totally, that would be delicious! I would also do roasted broccoli or asparagus. Please let me know if you have any other questions! xT
Could this be made in advance and then refreshed and reheated in the oven or air fryer before serving?! I’m out of oven space and trying to map out what can be flexible…
Hey Lindsay,
Sure, that should be okay for you to do! Let me know how this recipe turns out, I hope you love it! xT
My boyfriend’s mom introduced all of us to this recipe and it’s safe to say it changed our lives. It is so incredibly delicious and easy to make. Meals are so important and the kitchen is truly the heart of the family and thanks to Tieghan this recipe has filled our heart and tummies (in fact, almost every week) ! <3 Highly recommend you try this recipe. The double dip in the crumbs does not add too much time at all but I did have to use up another egg. Hope you LOVE this recipe as much as we did.
Aww, thanks so much for your kind message, Rose! I really appreciate you making this recipe and so many others! Love to hear that it was a hit! Have a great Sunday! xT
so easy to make and amazing flavor. will be one of my go to recipes!
Hi Kathy,
Amazing!! I’m so glad to hear this recipe turned out well for you, thanks so much for making it! Have a great weekend! xT
This was ok! Definitely not for folks who can’t take spice (like myself). It might be my own fault, the hot sauce I got at Trader Joe’s was insanely spicy and even with just a tiny drop in the eggs and an even tinier one in the hot honey sauce, this was painful to eat. Make rice to soak up the spice and make sure your hot sauce isn’t crazy spicy! My girlfriend handles spice well and absolutely loved this though! Will see if it we can keep it on rotation and I just take out hot sauce and some of the chili/cayenne. Served with sautéed garlicky green beans !
Hi Diana,
Thanks for trying this recipe and your comment. Yes, this recipe definitely packs a punch:) You might like one of these recipes better:
https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/crunchy-maple-dijon-chicken/
https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/pretzel-honey-balsamic-chicken/
I hope this helps! xx
Made this chicken and used it in a sandwich with coleslaw, pickles, and a side of roasted sweet potatoes. Absolutely delicious and will be on repeat for me and my boyfriend!
Hey Jamie,
Fantastic! I appreciate you making this recipe and your comment, so glad to hear that it was enjoyed! Xx
Making this right now lol smells amazing in here!!!!
Love to hear this Jeremy!!
Delicious. I used a littler under 3 lbs of chicken pounded thin. Tender and addicting.
Hey Susan,
Fantastic! I appreciate you making this recipe and your comment, so glad to hear that it was enjoyed! Xx