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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!
Second time making this! So incredibly good! Love the flavors!!!
Hey Courtney,
Amazing!! So glad to hear that this recipe was tasty and thanks a lot for trying it out! xT
OMG. Thank you!
Hey Ree,
Amazing!! So glad to hear that this recipe was tasty and thanks a lot for trying it out! xT
10/10! Easy quick and delicious!
Hey Elisabeth,
Amazing!! So glad to hear that this recipe was tasty and thanks a lot for trying it out! xT
Hey Tiegan: what did you use for hot sauce in this recipe? Thx
Hey Jane,
I used Frank’s Red Hot Sauce. Please let me know if you have any other questions, I hope you love this recipe! xx
I have made this twice. Chef’s kiss perfection! It’s going to make an awesome sandwich on brioche with bread and butter pickles
Hey Katherine,
Perfect!! I love to hear that this recipe turned out well for you and thanks so much for making it! Have a great weekend:) xx
This was delicious!! The whole family LOVED it!!
Hey Katie,
Happy Friday!! I appreciate you making this recipe and your comment, so glad to hear it was delish! xx
Could you bread them the night before?
Hi Donna,
Sure, that would work for you! Please let me know if you have any other questions, I hope you love this recipe! xx
I just made this the other night for me and my fiancé and we LOVED it! We used a raised rack to keep the chicken off of the pan (got extra crispy this way). Instead of eating as is, we actually made Hot Honey Sandwiches! We put this chicken on a grilled bun with cheese, lettuce, tomato, mayo, and pickle. It was so delicious.
Hey Madison,
Wonderful!! I am delighted to hear that this recipe turned out well for you, thanks so much for making it! xx
I made this chicken tonight and holy honey it was delicious! I’m super bummed though because I ate one piece, had 4 leftover, left the kitchen for about 5 minutes and came back to my dog eating the last piece! Haha! He somehow got the chicken off the stove and must have also thought it was wicked good!
Hey Shannon,
So glad to hear that this recipe was enjoyed!! So sorry to hear about your dog!! Hope you’re off to a great day! xx
These are amazing- I made this recipe for my boyfriend of 4 years and he said this was the best meal I have ever made! The homemade hot honey was a total game changer
Hey Katie,
Perfect!! Thanks so much for making this recipe, I love to hear that it turned out well for you! xT
I tried this recipe tonight and found that the bottom side of the chicken to be really soggy. Do you recommend baking these raised up on a rack?
Hey Claire,
Thanks for giving this recipe a try and sharing your feedback! You can bake on a wire rack or you can flip the chicken half way through. I hope this helps for next time! xx
I loved this chicken recipe! Used chicken tenders as that’s what I had on hand… just reduced the baking time. To save a little time, just drizzled some Mike’s Hot Honey on top. So delicious….I only dredged the chicken one time but made sure to coat it well with the corn flake mixture. Amazing crispness, especially since it’s baked. Served with noodles and a tossed salad. Thanks Tieghan!
Hey Natalie,
Amazing!! Thanks so much for making this recipe and sharing what worked well for you! xT
This was delicious! What do you usually serve with it? We did a simple green salad but I was curious if you have a side or two you make alongside.
Never mind!’ I see you said sweet potato fries and salad. Perfect! I’ll add sweet potato fries next time. This recipe is truly delish and so simple. 🙂
Hey Rebecca,
Perfect!! Thanks so much for making this recipe, I love to hear that it turned out well for you! I like to do rice and salad! xT
Hi there,
I have everything set to make this amazing looking chicken. I’m just wondering what you and the family like to have as a side dish.
Thanks😊
Hey Lori,
I typically do white rice and a salad with this recipe. Please let me know if you have any other questions! xT
Do you think I can substitute the chicken by some tofu?
Hey Anne-Marie,
Sure, I don’t see why not! Let me know if you give this recipe a try, I hope you love it! xx
What kind of hot suace do you use?! Thank you!
Hi Kelli,
I like to use Frank’s Hot Sauce. Please let me know if you have any other questions! xT