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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!
Everyone thinks I’m a great cook because of you. Thank you for every recipe!
Thanks so much for your kind message Katie and trying so many recipes! Have a great day! xT
Made this last night and really liked it, especially the hot honey sauce. I did cut down on the hot sauce and I’m glad I did, turned out spicy enough for us.
Also, I cut down on the corn flake amount because it seemed like it was going to be more than I needed and still had too much left over.
Overall, I will be making this again.
Hey Diane,
Awesome!! So glad to hear this recipe turned out well for you, thanks for making it and sharing your feedback! xT
I made this over the weekend and it was so good!!! The sauce is awesome! I never go back and comment on recipes, but I had to on this one. Yum!!
Thanks so much Karla!! I appreciate you making this recipe and sharing your feedback, so glad to hear the dish was a hit! xT
Not like you need any more rave reviews but I just had to hop on the hype train here, haha! I’m a vegetarian, made this with Gardein faux-chicken breasts, and my god it is so so so good 🤤 got some brioche buns and pickles to do the leftovers and sandwiches, so tasty!! Going to do your katsu recipe with the same faux-chicken breasts soon 💜
Hey Wesley,
Happy Sunday!!🍍🥥 Thank you so much for trying this recipe and your feedback, so glad to hear it was enjoyed! Thanks for sharing what worked well for you! xT
Good, but be warned – the sauce came to party.
ooh boy, I have just found my newest favorite chicken breast recipe!. Didn’t have tenderloins, but did have 2 full breasts. Cut it into pieces and it is simply amazing. Fixed sweet potato fries (did you suggest that Tiegan?) and mixed vegetables. The hot honey sauce was a BIG hit on ALL of the portions of dinner. Thank you again, I know I can always count on you with a “keeper” recipe!
Hey there,
Amazing!! Thanks so much for your kind message and making this recipe, love to hear that it was enjoyed!! Yes, love some homemade sweet potato fries with this! Happy Friday:) xT
I made this recipe twice already. It is so delicious!
Hi Cristina,
Happy Friday!!😎 I love to hear that this recipe was a hit, thanks for making it and your comment! xx
Can this be made using Panko instead of Corn Flakes?
Hi Katie,
Sure, panko would also work well for you! Please let me know if you have any other questions, I hope you love this recipe! xT
Can this be made using frozen chicken? TIA!
Hi Jolene,
I would definitely thaw your chicken first. Please let me know if I can help in any other way! xT
Another delicious entree! We are now sharing your website with soooo many people. Never disappointed!!!
Hey Jill,
Perfect!! Love to hear that this recipe was enjoyed and thanks so much for making it! Happy Mother’s Day!💐
Sounds amazing! Do you think it would still work without the cheese?
Hi Lisa,
Yes, should be just fine for you to skip the cheese! Please let me know if you have any other questions, I hope you love this recipe! xT
I made this tonight and it was amazing. Great mix of flavors- we really liked it and super easy!!
Hi Lynne,
Love it!!🍪🍦 I am thrilled to hear that this recipe turned out well for you, thanks for making it and sharing your review!! xx
Have you ever used boneless skinless chicken thighs for this recipe ?
Hi Kelly,
So sorry, I haven’t, but I don’t see why that wouldn’t work for you! Please let me know if you have any other questions! xT
This is possibly the best chicken I have ever made! I tried the hot honey cauliflower before this and loved it, but I have to say the chicken was 10 times better. Thank you Tieghan for so many amazing recipes!
Hi there,
Happy Friday!!🥑🍑 I love to hear that this recipe was a hit, thanks a lot for making it and sharing your review! xT
Amazing! So easy and delicious. I have made these several times and always get compliments. The only issue is there are never any leftovers. 😊
Thanks so much Mary!! Love to hear that you have been enjoying this recipe:) Have a great week! xT
I tried this and its incredible! My new favorite. Thank you for sharing this recipe
Hi Melissa,
Happy Monday!! So glad to hear that this recipe turned out well for you, thanks for making it:) xT